I've referred to various stock frauds as a "potentially fine bit of scripophily" and posted old certs but never got around to a post devoted to the hobby.
From the amazing Lileks.com come annotated stock certificates:
The Goddess of Petrochemicals in Flip-Flops asks us for some privacy, perchance, so that she may suckle the western coast of North America.--Atlantic Richfield Company - later renamed "ARCO" as part of the trend towards boring corporate names sheared of identity and history - dates back to 1866. The company was merged, unmerged, bought other gas companies, sold them, joined with Exxon to develop the Alaska field, got hit with massive fines for pollution, and eventually disappeared when purchased by British Petroleum.Sorry, "BP."
Climateer Investing: Scripophily Recapitulates Philately
Climateer Investing: Scripophily Recapitulates Philately II
Climateer Investing: Scripophily Recapitulates Philately III
