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The Case:
Twenty-five years ago, a Roselle Park, NJ man bought an 1892 stock certificate because he suspected it was a fraud. The certificate bears the name Harlem Associated Heirs Title Company and includes a detailed map of Harlem.
The elaborate illustrations make our contributor suspicious. The more ornate stock certificates he’s seen in the past have been scams.
Furthermore, he’s researched and cannot find anything about a Harlem Associated Heirs Title Company. He turns the case over to the capable hands of History Detectives host Gwendolyn Wright.
Gwen discovers this certificate serves as an extravagant bookmark in an often forgotten chapter of Harlem's history.
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- Latest CommentIt turns out that this collage was sold last fall: http://www.worthpoint.com/wort... I wonder if it would be possible to contact the buyer by way of the auction house about getting a print made. (2 weeks ago)
- Twitterremember this investigation with @TukufuZuberi @elyseluray Tonight they reunite! Let us know your thoughts! @PBS http://t.co/4KMnc27K (8 months ago)
- FacebookCongrats on your exhibit, TZ! Here's a Washington Post article about the exhibit, everyone, and the great story TZ and Elyse did on his "Our Colored Heroes" story. http://tinyurl.com/mzpuyo8 http://www.pbs.org/opb/historydetectives/investigation/our-colored-heroes/ (2 weeks ago)
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