Catalog Archive
Auction 177, Lot 243

"[Lot of 3] Louisiana Stephens Oil Corporation of Texas - General Report to All Stockholders [and] Here It Is – Tract No. 5 Final Offering of Strang Operating Properties [and] Map of South Bend Area Of Young County, Texas...",

Subject: Texas, Oil

Period: 1920-27 (circa)

Publication:

Color: Black & White

Size:
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This lot contains three investment solicitations issued during the Texas Oil Boom with maps used to make the case for exploration funding:

A. Louisiana Stephens Oil Corporation of Texas - General Report to All Stockholders, by Fred Foster & Co., circa 1920 (8.0 x 11.0"). This four page flyer contains photos and a half page map of the company's properties in Breckinridge, Texas. The maps and photos are key to the solicitation: “The map on the third page of this folder shows the property with the surrounding wells and big producers. The photograph on the back page depicts clearly the large amount of development in this pool in the past few months.” Funds were raised to complete the drilling, but the National Petroleum News reported in 1921 that production was only 25 barrels a day. With envelope and subscription form. Condition: There is a light dampstain in the upper portion of the pages. (B)

B. Here It Is – Tract No. 5 Final Offering of Strang Operating Properties, by Fred Strang, circa 1920 (11.0 x 17.0"). This two page promotional document encourages investment in the company's Tract No. 5 in Jack County, Texas. The text touts that "there will be no long wait for action on your money...you will want every interest you can afford." Condition: Issued folding. (A)

C. Map of South Bend Area Of Young County, Texas, Showing Location of Panhandle Refining Company’s No. 1 McCluskey and Location of "Gillespie Plan" Associates’ Free Well…, by Bert M. Gillespie, dated 1927 (6.8 x 7.8"). Small map on a large brown sheet with title above "Two More Gushers Near Us/Railroad Commission Grants Our Permit." The verso contains a 4 page letter explaining the “Gillespie Plan to drill 100 wells. One investment shares in every well drilled." Full sheet measures 16.0 x 21.0". With application for shares and the original envelope. Condition: Darkened along the sheet edges with a few minor fold separations. (B+)

References:

Condition:

See description above.

Estimate: $180 - $220

Sold for: $120

Closed on 4/29/2020

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