1917 Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad Annual Pass – "The Noiseless Route"

Issued to J.A. Kauffman – Chief Clerk to the General Manager of the Charlotte Harbor & Northern Railway

An exceptional piece of authentic, World War I-era railroadiana. This 1917 annual pass was issued by the Chicago and Eastern Illinois Railroad (C&EI) during the critical transition period just prior to federal wartime control under the USRA. Notably, the top of the pass is headed by William J. Jackson, Receiver, reflecting the complex financial and structural history of the line during its 1913–1920 receivership era.

This specific pass offers a fantastic dual-line association; it was issued as an exchange pass to Mr. J.A. Kauffman, who served as the Chief Clerk to the General Manager for the Florida-based Charlotte Harbor & Northern Railway.

Item Specifications & Features:

Year: 1917 (Valid until December 31, 1917)

Pass Number: C 4193

Issuing Line: Chicago and Eastern Illinois R.R.

Recipient: Mr. J.A. Kauffman (Chief Clerk to General Manager, Charlotte Harbor & Northern Ry.)

Scope: Valid for travel "Between All Stations"

Signatures: Facsimile signature of Receiver W.J. Jackson. Hand-countersigned on the left by G.A. Burget (noted C&EI Secretary/official).

Condition Report:

Overall Condition: Excellent vintage condition with beautiful color preservation.

Surface & Text: The crisp, typewriter-struck recipient details and bright red numbering remain perfectly legible and sharp.

Corners & Edges: Features clean, factory-rounded corners with only minor, expected edge wear from period wallet storage.

Reverse: (Note: Adjust based on actual reverse layout) Standard period terms, conditions, and anti-forgery text. No major staining, heavy creasing, or structural degradation.

A superb addition for collectors specializing in C&EI history, early Florida rail lines (CH&N), or World War I-era railroad ephemera.

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