Century Ribbon Mills, Inc.

Ernest Levy was born in Germany in 1853, and at the age of 24 emmigrated to the United States with his brother, Hermann, after spending several months as traders in the diamond fields of the Transvaal, South Africa. In 1878, Ernest Levy walked into a New York auction room to get out of the cold. When he raised his hand to wipe his brow, the auctioneer took it as a signal for a $50 bid, and Ernest suddenly had a "jag of ribbon" knocked down to him. After selling the ribbon at a profit, Ernest and Hermann decided that the future lay in ribbons and established the Ernest & Hermann Levy company. The Levy brothers built their business slowly but well, and by 1922 the company had evolved to become the Century Ribbon Mills, Inc.

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Close Up of Vignette:




Certificate: Common Stock, issued in the 1940’s and 1950’s

Printer: American Bank Note Company

Dimensions: 7 1/2” (h) x 11 1/2” (w)

State: NY-New York

Subject Matter: Textiles and Related

Vignette Topic(s): Allegorical Featured | Nude Subject

Condition: Vertical fold lines, punch hole cancels in signature areas and body, and some toning and edge faults from age.