Expert: Steven Taylor - 6/18/2009

Question
Dear Steven,
We have discovered some old Canadian stock certificates from 1952 that belongs to my uncle.
He just don't know where to go or what to do with these certificates.  
The company name is Montgomery Mining Company Limited, Incorporated under The Quebec Mining Companies Act. and countersigned and registered by The Eastern Trust Company.

It is written on the certificates the following:

this is to certify that J.E. Desrosiers Inc is the owner of exactly 100 shares and on the back it is signed by J.E. Desrosiers.  Does it means that it belongs to J.E. Desrosiers or it belongs to my uncle.  We've got the proof of purchasing, from J.R. Timmins & Co.
Can you help me or point me in the good direction.
Thank you in advance.  

Answer
Ginette, unfortunately, from the information I have available, it appears the shares have no value. Montgomery Mining was dissolved in 1973, and it does not appear there was any value distributed to shareholders.

In regards to what is written on the certificate, it was originally issued to J.E. Desrosiers as designated by his name on the front. However, the signature on the back is how an individual transfers the shares to a new owner. It doesn't automatically demonstrate that your uncle is the new owner, but that in combination with the bill of sale makes a pretty good case that your uncle would be the current owner.