Great Britain: Eastern Steam Navigation Company, £20 share, ...

Estimate

£50 - £60

Great Britain: Eastern Steam Navigation Company, £20 share, 185[1], #5227, black on blue paper, vignette of paddle steamer in embossed seal. Formed by Royal Charter in the hope of obtaining the mail contract between the U.K. and the East. However, this was ultimately awarded to the P & O. The company then undertook to build Brunel's Great Eastern Steam Ship to trade between London & New York, but bankruptcy was inevitable and the shares were exchanged for shares in a new company called the Great Ship Company Ltd. in 1859. EF.