Step into history with the vintage 1961 Trans World Airlines Gold Bond Certificate
13 1/2" x 9 1/2" ~
Trans World Airlines (TWA) was a major airline in the United States that operated from 1930 until it was acquired by American Airlines in 2001. Howard Hughes acquired control of TWA in 1939, and after World War II, led the airline's expansion to serve Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, making TWA the second unofficial flag carrier of the United States after Pan Am. Hughes gave up control in the 1960s.
In 1946, TWA introduced the Lockheed Constellation on its transcontinental New York-Los Angeles route. This was seen as superior to United's service, which utilized the DC-4. That same year, the airline began transatlantic service between New York City and Paris.
After changing its name to Trans World Airlines in 1950, the carrier introduced the Lockheed L.1049 Super Constellation in September 1952. Subsequently, it became the first airline to inaugurate regularly scheduled, nonstop transcontinental service between Los Angeles and New York on October 19, 1953. Also, throughout the 50s, TWA would greatly expand its reach, flying to destinations throughout Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.
Throughout the 1960s and 70s, TWA remained a powerful player in international and national markets. It even became the first airline to introduce in-flight movies in 1961. Growing more, TWA acquired the entire chain of Hilton Hotels in 1967
Then, in July 1969, the airline officially beat Pan Am as the world's number-one transatlantic airline. Less than a year later, in 1970, TWA would begin flying the Boeing 747 jumbo jet on its well-established New York-to-Los Angeles service.
As the Airline Deregulation Act of 1978 led to airline failures, start-ups, and takeovers in the United States, TWA was spun off from its holding company in 1984. Carl Icahn acquired control of TWA and took the company private in a leveraged buyout in 1988. TWA became saddled with debt, sold its London routes, underwent Chapter 11 restructuring in 1992 and 1995, and was further stressed by the explosion of TWA Flight 800 in 1996, where 230 people perished, and is still, as of this writing, the third biggest aviation disaster in history.
My pictures seriously can't do it justice!
Imagine the pride of owning this piece of history, hanging it on your wall as a unique home decor in any room. Stock certificates like these are becoming increasingly rare, as they find their way into museums and private collections. They are not just pieces of paper, but historical documents with centuries of history behind them. The first stock certificate was issued in 1606 by the Dutch East India Company. Four hundred seven years of history later, the Walt Disney Company issued one of the last paper stock certificates from a major corporation in 2013. Don't miss your chance to own a piece of this history!
These had to be done on heavy paper stock, almost like a dollar bill, but stiffer and more durable, making them stay vibrant and new for a long time. The other unique thing about bond certificates is that they could have all kinds of exciting signatures and stamps, and you never know who you will find. Almost all bonds are signed by the company President and Secretary. Some collectors research the other signatures and historical significance, adding so much provenance and value to an already valuable item. I have never done this as I can barely read my signature, let alone one from over 100 years ago.
