Scripophily: Ronson Corporation Stock Certificates

Ronson vignette used since the late 1920s

A blast from the past - Ronson Corporation paper stock certificates were issued between the 1960s and 1990s and today have only collectible, historic and maybe sentimental value. Many things have changed over the past years...

In the 1960s Ronson was ranked on the 7^th place of World's best-known and recognized brand names in the United States. Not anymore as on October 25, 2011 Ronson Corp, incorporated in 1928, went out of business. Also the stock ownership exists today rather as electronic records than physical documents with signatures on paper printed by the Federated Banknote Company.

The average value of the Ronson Corp stock certificates lies between $3-10 although there are many factors that determine its value. These include condition, age, historical significance, signatures, rarity, aesthetics, original face value, bankers associated with issuance, transfer stamps, cancellation markings, issued or unissued, printers, and type of engraving process.

The earlier stock certificates issued in the 1940s and 1950s bared the name Ronson Art Metal Works and their collectors' value is higher (approx. $15). The earliest issued in the 1920s and 1930s bared the name Art Metal Works and are rare (approx. $40). Although all of them have the same vignette of an allegorical man sitting in front of a gear holding a hammer. 

Common Stock Certificate dated November 1992, 1 share

Common Stock Certificate dated February 1969, 1 share

Common Stock Certificate dated May 1968, 100 shares owned by Merill Lynch...

Worth to know: the study and collection of stock and bond certificates is called scripophily. The word was coined by combining words from English and Greek. The word "scrip" represents an ownership right and the word "philos" means to love. Wikipedia claims that there are "thousands of collectors (scripophilists) worldwide in search of scarce, rare, and popular stocks and bonds. Collectors who come from a variety of businesses enjoy this as a hobby, although there are many who also consider scripophily a good investment. In fact, over the past several years, the hobby has exploded in popularity".