1867 Stock Certificate - Wilmington Coal Mining Company in Chicago, Illinois For Sale

Authentic serial-numbered xxxx stock certificate issued by the Wilmington Coal Mining Company with embossed non-color seal of a crowbar and pick ax circled by the company name and location (Chicago) in lower left corner . Also features an xxxx hand-stamped reddish-brown Revenue Stamp depicting George Washington and measuring 15/16 X 2 inches. Hand-signed by Secretary and company President at bottom. Document measures 8 1/4 X 10 1/8 inches.
The smaller graphic on the left side depicts a woman in a star-spangled tiara and wearing a long toga-like gown while standing to the side of a short marble pillar. In her right hand she bears a large American flag on a pole and in her upraised left hand she bears a ribboned leafy wreath as an American bald eagle stands underneath the wreath while gazing at the woman. The graphic at top-center depicts a steam engine locomotive pulling several open-top coal cars overflowing with coal. A large paddleboat chugs down the river located behind the railroad tracks. In the distant background beyond the river, there appears to be an industrial community with a large mountain range in the background as well as a single residential home or farmhouse located near a cliff overlooking the river.
The Illinois coal mining boom began during the American Civil War and prospered quickly as boom towns like Braidwood, Coal City, and Carbon Hill sprang up. Miners' working conditions were extremely difficult and dangerous as they worked in small tunnels where they couldn't stand up while they stooped to pick and shovel coal, then load it onto carts and push the carts to where mules took over. The miners worked ten hours each day, doing dirty work which frequently led them to develop Black Lung disease or suffer crippling accidents caused by rockfalls,
Suitable for framing. Very Good condition except for two fold creases which will not distract after the document is framed under glass. Document still has most of original crispness. No writings on document. No rips or tears.