1900 - MAGAZZINI GENERALI DI BOLOGNA 1 AZIONE BOLOGNA

Share of the General Warehouses Anonymous Company of Bologna

Document Description

• Title: Share Certificate.
• Issuer: General Warehouses Anonymous Company of Bologna.
• Date of Incorporation: December 31, 1895.
• Date of Issuance: January 1, 1900.
• Certificate Number: 140.
• Share Capital: 150,000 Lire, divided into 300 nominal shares of 500 Lire each.
• Represented Shares: One share valued at 500 Italian Lire.
• Company Duration: 25 years from the date of incorporation.
• Recipient: Dr. Casarnitti of Bologna.
• Headquarters: Bologna.
• Notarial Authority: Act drawn up by Notary Luigi Roversi and registered with the Royal Court of Bologna.

Artistic Features

1. Design:

   • The certificate is printed on high-quality paper with intricate decorations typical of the late 19th century.
   • The border features floral motifs and decorative symbols.
   • Authentic stamps and perforations validate the document.

2. Logo and Seals:

   • The top section includes an emblem with a shield, symbolizing the institution's solidity and reliability.
   • Official stamps ensure the certificate's authenticity.

3. Iconography:

   • The lower-left section displays a stylized image, likely referencing the company’s commercial activity.

4. Typography:

   • Elegant typography emphasizes the share's value (“CINQUECENTO”) at the center of the document.

Historical Context

The General Warehouses Anonymous Company of Bologna was established in 1895 to support local commercial and industrial activities by providing modern storage and goods management facilities. Bologna, an important commercial crossroads, required advanced warehouses for economic and logistical development.

1. Economic Role:

   • The company emerged during a period of growing industrialization and urban development in Italy at the turn of the 20th century.
   • General warehouses were essential for efficiently storing and distributing goods, enhancing regional logistics.

2. Local Importance:

   • This initiative contributed to Bologna's consolidation as a commercial and industrial hub in northern Italy, facilitating import/export activities.

3. Evolution:

   • Although the company’s planned duration was 25 years, it is likely that the increasing demand for logistics services led to subsequent expansions or transformations.

Document Significance

This certificate represents an important testament to Italian economic and logistical development at the end of the 19th century. It is a tangible example of the key role played by warehousing and logistics companies in expanding urban economies. The document holds both historical and collectible value, reflecting the commitment to Italy's infrastructural modernization.