After the passing of a parent, I found a stock certificate with "Oil
Exploration Co." issued 4/3/52.  Also enclosed was a letter written
12/8/53 with a return address of Henry Office building, Grand Forks,
ND stating that they were represented by "Shaft, Benson and Shaft" of
Grand Forks.  I am interested in finding out the history of this
company and wheter or not this stock is worth any monies prior to
closing my parent's estate

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Request for Question Clarification by tar_heel_v-ga on 08 Apr 2003 15:03 PDT

Do you by any chance have access to a scanner and the ability to post
a scan of the stock certificate?  This may help in researching the
company.

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Clarification of Question by 4evergram-ga on 08 Apr 2003 15:16 PDT

do not have access to a scanner at this location, but could do it
before the end of the week

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Request for Question Clarification by ragingacademic-ga on 09 Apr 2003 13:14 PDT

4evergram -

thanks for your question.

In deference to 4keith-ga's reply - even if dividends were paid all
these years, the stock itself could potentially be worth a bundle -
especially if "Oil Exploration" was taken over by the company I
suspect.  Imagine that the stock may have split umpteen times since,
and that it now trades in the $20 to $30 range...  Of course, it could
also be worth nothing at all...

To confirm my suspicion - any additional information may help. 
Perhaps some information about your father/parents - education,
employment etc.

A scan of the document will also be extremely helpful.

thanks,
ragingacademic

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Clarification of Question by 4evergram-ga on 13 Apr 2003 12:55 PDT

Have scanned several documents in questions - actual stock certificate
- letter from company and two envelopes - if this would be helpful;
please advise where to transmit

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Request for Question Clarification by ragingacademic-ga on 13 Apr 2003 13:38 PDT

Dear 4evergram -

Because Google requires that we not establish direct contact with
clients, you will have to post the images online somewhere - and then
refer us to a url.

Let me know if you need some help with that, and will try to assist
you through this forum.

thanks,
ragingacademic

These research firms are suggested by the NYSE.

"R.M. Smythe is the World's #1 Stock & Bond Research Firm. We can help
you find information about your stocks and bonds and then tell you how
to redeem them.
R.M. Smythe has been researching inactive, unlisted and obscure
securities for over 116 years without interruption."

That is from there website. It's $75

http://www.smytheonline.com/news_resources/content/research.html


These research firms are suggested by the NYSE.

R.M. Smythe & Co., Inc.
26 Broadway
New York, NY 10004 
212-943-01880 

Pink Sheets LLC
304 Hudson Street
2nd Floor
New York, NY 10013
212-896-4400
info@pinksheets.com 

Tracers Co. of America
183 Waverly Avenue
Medford, NY 11763 
212-558-6550 

Good Luck, Hopefully they were merged into
one of the Big Three.

Dave

It would have helped if you could have furnished an exact street
address if one was given.  This company did operate in Nelson County
in the 1950's but is no longer active.  Have you checked www.naupa.org
to check for your parent's names in the unclaimed property list for
North Dakota?  It is unlikely that the certificate is worth anything
since if dividends were paid even if a name change occurred the
parents would have already received and cashed the checks. Also there
is a company called Stock Search International at
www.stocksearchintl.com that will do a search for $85.

SINCERELY,
4keith-ga

I have written to a lawyer from a law firm that I believe is the
successor to Shaft, Benson and Shaft.  I will let you know if I
receive a reply.