Commonwealth Edison Lionel Certificate late 1920s

[Terry]

Here's an interesting item:

 

A Commonwealth Edison Federal Profit Sharing Cerificate with a Lionel 402 set on it. Comed is an Illinois electric company. Offers a Lionel Catalog with 46 pages if you write to Lionel.

The 1927, 28, and 29 catalogs had 46 pages. The 402 and 12-wheel passenger cars date from 1925-26. The 408E replaced the 402 at the head of the set in 1927, and a diner was added as a 4th car.  The artwork was not changed to show the 408 loco.

 

Evidently Commonwealth Edison had an electrical goods store and took these coupons which were similar to the later Green Stamps. I couldn't find any informatiuon about the Federal Merchandise Company, but did find some pictures of a 1930 catalog:

 

 

I found other Federal certificates without trains dating as late as 1940 online.

Interesting. . . I wonder if Com Ed had special trains? Maybe this explains the cars with Illinois Central on them?

Hmmm. . . .

PS. this is listed on eBay right now if you're interested.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/ORIGINAL-1920s-COMMONWEALTH-EDISON-COUPON-FOR-LIONEL-TRAINS-NO-RESERVE/303854438852

[starfire700]

A guy that I knew in the Chicago area......... his father worked for the ICRR. His dad was able to order 2 of the 252 peacock sets with IC cars, and the kid still has them to this day. He made it seemed it was a special for company employees.

[early0electric]

You could even get a complete railroad with the coupons!