JOHN D. ROCKEFELLER (1839–1937)

This Standard Oil Company bond is a historic financial document associated with one of the most influential corporations in the history of modern industry. Founded by John D. Rockefeller in 1870, Standard Oil became a defining force in the development of the petroleum industry and helped shape the growth of the American economy.

The document is a 6½% Debenture Due 1998 with a face value of $500,000. Corporate securities of this kind were issued to raise capital for large-scale industrial operations and expansion projects, reflecting the financial mechanisms that supported some of the world's most powerful enterprises.

The presentation brings together the original bond, a portrait of John D. Rockefeller, and one of his best-known quotations: “Don't Be Afraid of Big Expenses, Be Afraid of Small Incomes.” The statement reflects Rockefeller's philosophy of growth, investment, and long-term value creation that helped establish his enduring place in business history.

Combining an original high-denomination financial instrument with the image and words of its era's most influential industrialist, the work explores the history of entrepreneurship, finance, and industrial development. It unites documentary significance, historical context, and collecting culture within a single presentation.