United Drug, Inc. Stock Certificate – 1930s – Pharmacy Chain Discount Cost

United Drug Stores, initiated in 1903, was the brainchild of Louis K. Liggett. Liggett managed to convince 40 independent drug stores to pool their resources, investing a collective sum of $4,000, to form a retailers’ cooperative under the name United Drug Stores. This cooperative would later sell products under the Rexall brand. Following World War I, a franchise model was established, allowing independently owned retail stores to adopt the Rexall trade name and offer Rexall products. The cooperative’s headquarters and operations were based in Boston. While Rexall became a prominent name in the American drugstore industry, the focus of this information is primarily on the origins and contributions of United Drug Stores and its founder, Louis K. Liggett.

These particular stock certificates were issued in the 1930s.

A Rexall drug store in Waterloo, Canada, circa 1915.

The stock certificate comes with a rigid archival document holder for preservation and handling. A Certificate of Authenticity is also included.

NOTE: This certificate has no value as a financial asset, and will not be honored by any extant company today.