Item DescriptionFront Text:ONE FARE / GOOD FOR A RIDE ON / ANY CITY RAILWAY.STEPHEN GIRARD (Below portrait vignette)Reverse Text:RIDGE AVENUE / PHILADELPHIA / Passenger Railway (Printed in vibrant orange ink)Ridge Avenue Railway Co. (Large black script facsimile overprint)Historical Overview:An exceptionally choice, late-19th-century paper streetcar transit fare ticket issued by the Ridge Avenue Passenger Railway Company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.This beautiful variety features a highly detailed, bank-note quality engraved portrait vignette of Stephen Girard (1750–1831), one of the wealthiest individuals in American history, a major philanthropist, and a towering figure in Philadelphia\'s early development.What makes this ticket particularly fascinating to collectors is its historical purpose: it served as an early \"exchange or transfer voucher.\" The front explicitly states it is valid for \"One Fare... On Any City Railway,\" while the back is boldly branded for the Ridge Avenue line in bright orange underprint with a striking black script corporate overlay. This multi-color printing and heavy overprint design served as an advanced anti-counterfeiting measure to prevent fraudulent replication by local printers.Material & Specs:• Type: Street Railway / Horsecar Exchange Fare Ticket• Composition: Printed lightweight cardstock / paper (Tri-color ink layout: Black, Cream, Orange)• Era: Circa 1880s• City/State: Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaCondition Report:• Overall State: Choice Mint State / Pristine unused condition.• Details: Remarkable eye appeal. The borders are perfectly uniform, the typography is incredibly crisp, and the black script overlay on the reverse side is rich and sharp. Entirely free of conductor punch marks, pinholes, fading, or corner wear. Another immaculate \"time capsule\" specimen.
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