This listing is for the photographed 1899 Consolidated Kansas City Smelting and Refining Co. Paycheck, issued to and signed by Leon Feustman, financial agent for the Mexico City branch. The check, made for $87.59, was sent to the First National Bank from Mexico City on July 1st, 1899. It was deposited into the Northern Saving Fund, Safe Deposit in Philadelphia by Rosalie Feustman, who was likely the wife of Leon Feustman, making this an extremely interesting find. Several stamps, signatures, pin holes, and hole punches follow the checks journey from its issuance in Mexico City, to its deposit in Philadelphia. Paychecks from this company printed in English and sent to New York are a rarer find compared to their Spanish printed counterparts, making this a great addition to any collection!
The Consolidated Kansas City Smelting and Refining Company was established in 1880 in the business of refining ores, which were sourced from both Mexico and Colorado. In 1887 the company consolidated with other mining and refining companies, expanding their practices across the U.S. South and Northern Mexico by the 1890s. Soon after they became the highest grossing refining and smelting company in the United States, establishing itself as a key contributor to silver and gold industries in the late 19th century. The company was known as having some of the largest number of employees at their facilities, along with having some of the highest wages. The company merged again with other companies in 1899, shortly after this check was issued, and became the American Smelting and Refining Company.
There were two different paycheck varieties for the company's workers, depending on where their check was being deposited. Checks printed in English were issued to employees who deposited their checks in the United States, holding a temporary residence by their respected production sites, most of them being foremen and in other advanced positions. Those printed in Spanish were issued to employees who would deposit their checks in Mexico, mostly miners and other laborers, with the stamp "Pagado Mexico" embellished in the center of each deposited check.
This rarer version of a paycheck from this nationally renowned company steeped in the history of the mining franchise in the United States and Mexico is a must have for anyone interested in American history and industrialism!
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1899 Consolidated Kansas City Smelting and Refining Co. Paycheck - Leon Feustman Issued, First National Bank - New York Payment Check 1899