R.F.O. WEALTH ADVICE

28 This very unusual private collection contains stock certificates from all over the world. It has been catalogued in conformity with international criteria and has an important added value: i.e. it has been classified by category and country. Thanks to the annexed documents and notes overleaf it enables us to obtain different and important economic, financial and social information concerning the historical period in which they were issued. Owing to the afore-mentioned and other peculiarities it is to be considered a heritage of great cultural interest and a true expression of world finance. It is a rather recent form of collection and at the same time it so unique that it is attracting ever in- creasing interest worldwide. Indeed, scripophily represents part of the world’s financial history. A true piece of history of each individual company which over time has either remained independent, merged or has ceased its activity. This explains the interest of collectors since each title, in addition to the technical characteristics such as the type of paper used, the colour or illus- tration which is sometimes signed by famous engravers or artists of the period also contains the signatures, stamps, dates, name of the holder and the transfers, the name of the notary and other important information which enable us to place the document in a specific pe- riod and consequently in the social, political and economic context of its issuance on the market. One may thus sometimes discover the family business history, the history of indus- try, arts and professions and very often the history of family fortunes or debacles. The filing system adopted also enabled a historiographic and scientific study thanks to the study and research centre within the R.F.O. THE COLLECTION