Historic 1877 Albany Railway Stock Certificate
Issued in Albany, New York, this original stock certificate (No. 132) represents 40 shares of the Albany Railway, each valued at $100, for a total capitalization of $4,000. The certificate is dated July 19, 1877, and features a finely engraved vignette of a horse-drawn streetcar, reflecting the early days of urban transit in New York’s capital city.
The document bears the signature of Delavan Peck, who uniquely signed as both Treasurer and President of the company — an unusual feature that highlights his central role in the firm’s operations.
On the reverse, dated December 31, 1881, the shares were reassigned by the Estate of Mrs. E. P. Prentice (Mary Prentice), widow of Ezra Parmalee Prentice, one of Albany’s most influential 19th-century financiers. The transfer was executed and signed by Edwin P. Prentice on behalf of the estate, passing ownership to J. W. McNamara, Esq. This endorsement provides rare insight into the estate liquidation of one of Albany’s most prominent families.
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Biographies of Key Figures
Ezra Parmalee Prentice (1797–1876)
A wealthy Albany banker, railroad executive, and landowner, Ezra P. Prentice was a leading figure in New York commerce. He built the grand Mount Hope estate overlooking the Hudson River and served as president of the Albany & Susquehanna Railroad and the National Commercial Bank. He also presided over the New York State Agricultural Society and supported civic institutions including the Albany Female Academy and Dudley Observatory. His influence was felt across finance, transportation, and civic life.
Mary Prentice (d. c.1878)
Listed on this certificate as Mrs. E. P. Prentice, Mary was Ezra’s wife and the named shareholder of record in 1877. By the time of the endorsement in 1881, she had passed away, and the shares were transferred by her estate — making this certificate a direct artifact of the Prentice family’s wealth management and inheritance.
Edwin P. Prentice
Executor of Mary Prentice’s estate, he signed the reverse of this certificate to transfer the shares. While less widely recorded than his father Ezra, his role here illustrates how the family estate was settled in the years following Mary’s death.
Delavan Peck
Treasurer and President of the Albany Railway, Peck’s dual signature on this document is a remarkable feature. He was a key Albany businessman of the late 19th century, involved in banking and finance, and was trusted to hold multiple offices simultaneously within the company.
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Historical Context
The Albany Railway was the city’s principal street railway, first running horse-drawn streetcars and later adopting electrification. Certificates like this document not only investment in the company but also the Prentice family’s role in Albany’s growth during the Gilded Age.
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Collector Value
Authentic 19th-century railway stock certificate with ornate engraving
Double signature of Delavan Peck (President & Treasurer)
Estate transfer signed by Edwin P. Prentice
Direct ties to the influential Prentice family of Albany
Excellent piece for collectors of New York history, scripophily, or prominent family estates
Condition: Original canceled certificate with light folds, strong engraving, and clear signatures. No major tears or stains.
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💡 Offered here from a private collection, and the first time this historic document has been made available in over 70 years.