Century Ribbon Mills, Inc. “Ernest & Hermann Levy” Stock Certificate (1930s–1940s)

Add a beautifully engraved piece of textile + WWII supply-chain history to your collection with this Century Ribbon Mills, Inc. stock certificate (issued in the 1930s–40s). The certificate bears the original “Ernest & Hermann Levy” company subtitle—making it especially desirable for scripophily collectors who love classic, story-rich documents.

Why Collectors Love Century Ribbon Mills Certificates

• Issued in the 1930s–40s—a highly collectible era for American corporate paper
• Original “Ernest & Hermann Levy” subtitle appears on the stock certificate design
• Tied to a prominent silk ribbon and industrial webbing manufacturer
• Strong historical significance for World War II production
• Known in the hobby for its beautiful engraving and collector appeal

Century Ribbon Mills: From Silk Mills to WWII Support

Century Ribbon Mills specialized exclusively in the production of silk ribbons and industrial webbing. Founded by German-immigrant brothers Ernest and Herman Levy, the company grew from a late-19th-century partnership into a multi-state operation that helped meet U.S. wartime needs.

Company Timeline

• 1882: Established in New York as the Ernest & Hermann Levy Company
• Late 1800s–early 1900s: Expanded by acquiring silk mills in Pennsylvania (e.g., Hanover Silk Company) and opening key facilities, including:
  • 1908: ribbon plant in York, PA
  • 1906: large mill in Portage, PA
• 1922: Reorganized and renamed Century Ribbon Mills, Inc.
• 1941 (peak war operations): Nine factory locations across Pennsylvania, New York, and Virginia
• April 7, 1943: Earned the U.S. Army-Navy “E” Award for excellence in wartime production —notably as the only ribbon mill in the United States to receive it

What They Built During World War II

During WWII, the company shifted fully to the war effort, producing high-quality military materials such as:

• Parachute components (webbing, threads, and tapes for personnel, flare, bomb, and aerial delivery chutes)
• Ammunition belts and helmet webbing
• Camouflage net tapes
• Military service ribbons

Great Display Piece (With Real Historical Meaning)

This Century Ribbon Mills certificate is a fantastic fit for collectors of American industry, scripophily, and WWII-era artifacts. It also connects to a lasting legacy—some historic brick factories have been preserved or even converted into modern lofts.