1873 - SOC. STRADE FERRATE SUD AUSTRIA E DELLA VENEZIA - 1 OBBLIG.

Society of Railways of Southern Austria, Venice, Lombardy, and Central Italy, dated 1873.

Detailed Description of the Document:

1. Issuer:

   • The Society of Railways of Southern Austria, along with the mentioned Italian regions, is responsible for issuing this bond.

2. Purpose of the Issuance:

   • This is a special loan of 28 million Italian Lire, specifically issued to fund the construction of the railway line Udine - Pontebba.

3. Bond Details:

   • Nominal value of 500 Italian Lire.
   • Guaranteed by the Italian Government for an amount of 20,000 Francs per kilometer, as specified in the document.

4. Bilingual Document:

   • The certificate is written in both Italian and French, reflecting the multinational influence and international importance of the railway project.

5. Legal Basis:

   • The issuance was authorized by a series of conventions and Italian laws from 1864 to 1873, including the Royal Decree of June 30, 1864.

6. Repayment and Coupons:

   • Includes a series of detachable coupons on the left side for the payment of interest, likely distributed semi-annually.

7. Stamps and Annotations:

   • Features stamps confirming cancellation and payment at the branch in Milan, indicating that this bond was likely redeemed.
   • Additional stamps show that the document was validated for various transactions over time.

8. Design:

   • Elaborate green border with decorative details, coats of arms, and railway symbols, reflecting the prestige and importance of these bonds issued during the period of great railway expansion in Europe.

Historical Context:

This bond dates back to a time when funding railway infrastructure was crucial for the economic and political development of Europe, particularly in connecting Italian territories with Austria and other regions. Debt securities like these were used to raise capital from public and private investors, offering a secure yield backed by the government.