Friday, February 25, 2011

10 Reasons why you should join IBSS

The International Bond and Share Society (IBSS) is the biggest association of people interested in scripophily.  Here are 10 reasons, given by IBSS committee members, to join this society.

  


Reason 1: Membership Directory
IBSS publishes a directory which allows you to identify fellow collectors with common interests or who live nearby geographically. The Directory contains members from more than 50 countries.

Reason 2: Illustrated research articles
Discover  in Scripophily magazine fascinating stories on the people and organizations that issued the old stock and bond certificates. These research articles, illustrated with remarkable certificates, are written by IBSS members sharing their knowledge. Scripophily magazine is published 3 times a year.

Sunday, February 13, 2011

The archipelago of the Philippines

7107 is the number of islands in the archipelago of the Philippines. The 11 largest islands make up 95% of the total land area. Their often whimsical coastlines amount up to 36289 kilometers, which is almost as long as Russia's 37653 km.
A typical Philippine island has mountains that are surrounded by coastal lowlands. The islands are volcanic in nature as these are part of the Pacific ring of fire (see here). As a result the islands have rich mineral deposits. The Philippines have the largest gold deposits after South Africa.

Consolidated Mines, Inc.
Certificate for 19000 shares, 1946


Monday, February 7, 2011

Take a parachute and jump

One of the days in my life that I will never forget, is the day when, at the age of 20, I jumped with a parachute at a height of 800 meters above the ground. During a one day training I had learned in theory how to open the main parachute, which was a round type, when to open the reserve and most important how to land on the ground in a rolling mouvement. Quite exciting .. until I had to enter that little airplane for the real thing which was ... even more exciting.


detail from share showing the balloon with safety parachute invented by Louis Capazza
Capazza's balloon with safety parachute
image colors and contrast edited
in order to emphasize the underprint