West Indies Sugar Corporation stock certificate 1960's (operated in Cuba)

Very nice collectible. Elaborate engraved vignette of two classical female figures falnking a framed picture of sugar cane plants. Issued and cancelled. Dated 1930's - 1960's.

Incorporated 1932, the company was formed to control sugar production and refining in the Caribbean including the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and Cuba (buying farms as early as 1927). U.S. sugar properties accounted for 55 per cent of Cuba's sugar production in 1939. At the end of 1957 U.S. Interests owned and operated 40 Cuban sugar mills. Seven were sold to Cuban interests in January 1958, and three more have been sold in the past two years

In 1959, Cuban rebels began taking control of private property in Cuba. American citizens and companies lost $1.8 billion in property . More than 898 companies have pending claims with the U.S. Foreign Claims Settlement Commission.  Of these claims, the West Indies Sugar Company claimed a loss of $84.9 million.

The company operated past 2001 with headquarters in Homestead FL but was in liquidation by 2011.