1901 Great Eastern Railway Liverpool Street Station Transfer Office Letter
An original 1901 letter from the Great Eastern Railway Company, issued by the Transfer Office at Liverpool Street Station, London. Dated 20th December 1901, the document is addressed from the Secretary, W. H. Peppercorne, regarding the "Consolidation of Preference Stocks". The letter outlines financial changes mandated by the "Great Eastern Railway (General Powers) Act, 1901," detailing the consolidation of various 4 per cent preference stocks into a single stock to be effective from 1st January 1902.
Liverpool Street Station served as the prestigious London terminus for the Great Eastern Railway (GER), housing its primary administrative and financial offices. During the turn of the century, the GER was undergoing significant corporate restructuring to simplify its complex financial holdings, which included various stocks issued between 1881 and 1888. W. H. Peppercorne was a prominent figure within the company's hierarchy, serving as Secretary during a period of major expansion and modernisation for the railway. These types of shareholder communications are valuable primary sources for understanding the corporate governance and economic scale of Victorian and Edwardian railway giants.
The document is in good historical condition, though it displays several characteristics typical of its age. There are horizontal fold lines across the centre and a significant diagonal crease in the lower-left corner where the paper has been folded or handled. Small nicks and minor paper loss are present along the bottom edge, particularly near the decorative border. The paper shows light uniform browning and faint handling marks, but the printed text and handwritten annotations at the top remain sharp and legible. Please refer to the provided photographs for a complete visual assessment of the item's condition.
Carefully packaged in a protective sleeve to ensure safe delivery. Shipped securely in a rigid mailer to prevent bending or damage during transit.
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