Bill of Exchange Fragments: J. & W. Seligman & Company

Reverse side of document fragment #1:

J. & W. SELIGMAN & CO.

JUL

29

1901

NEW YORK

 

Front side of document fragment #1 with two pounds, ten shillings British tax stamp

Reverse side of document fragment #2:

J. W. SELIGMAN & CO.

AUG

9

1901

NEW YORK.

Front side of document fragment #2 with a British tax stamp for one pound and a second for five shillings:

In the early 20th century, J. & W. Seligman & Company backed the construction of the Panama Canal. In this period, the firm underwrote the securities of a variety of companies, participating in stock and bond issues in the railroad and steel and wire industries, investments in Russia and Peru, the formation of the Standard Oil Company, and shipbuilding, bridges, bicycles, mining, and a variety of other industries. The landmark building at 1 William Street in New York City was constructed for J.& W. Seligman from 1904 to 1905 and became the firm's home office. In 1910, William C. Durant of the fledgling General Motors Corporation gave control of his company's board to the Seligmans and Lee, Higginson & Co. in return for underwriting $15 million worth of corporate notes.