My big exposure to scripophily was years ago at a Louisville gun show. Two competing scripophilists had set up tables across from each other. (Co-incidence? I think not!).
I couldn't spend too much time looking, as my friend wasn't interested in such things at all. Yet, I was fascinated by what I did see. Boxes of unissued 19th century mining company certificates for example. Though well over a century old at that time, they looked brand new. I assume high quality linen and cotton paper, stored in a low temperature/low humid
ity environment, also dark. What works for beer and wine will also work for paper. (To be technical, I don't think wine is harmed much by light, but why take the risk and expense?).
I have inherited a few stock certificates, my grandfather was born in 1878, and my grandmother was a decade younger. I am not sure why they retained stock certificates that had been decommissioned, (not sure that is the right word, perhaps "invalidated" would be better).
Anyway, they were works of art, in their own way. I hold some generic stock certificates in a local company, but that is just not the same thing.
I do remember enjoying my Sturm Ruger certificates back in the day. Nice picture of a Ruger .22, not as pretty as the Playboy certificates, but still nice.
While I enjoy not fooling with stock certificates today, or with paper paychecks, I wonder what effect that absence will have on younger generations.
I even wonder what effect not using actual cash money, (federal reserve notes and change), will have on future generations.
Oh well, at least there is always bitcoin.