The world's oldest surviving stock share, dated 27 September 1606, bears the signature of Dirck van Os. An influential figure in the early Dutch commercial expansion, he operated as a merchant, insurer, and financier during a period when global trade networks were being systematically restructured through the rise of corporate entities and standardized banking practices.
Early Career and Relocation
Born in Antwerp in 1556, Van Os was the son of a trader who had migrated from 's-Hertogenbosch. His early professional life in the Southern Netherlands was interrupted by conflict; he served as a militia captain during the fall of Antwerp to the Duke of Parma. Following the city's surrender, he relocated to Middelburg. In January 1588, he married Margretha van de Piet. Alongside his brother Hendrick, he established a trading operation dealing in leather, grain, and precious stones, focusing on the Baltic region and the Levant.
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Van Os acted as a primary organizer for maritime ventures, including an expedition with Isaac le Maire in 1595 to secure salt in Setúbal for transport to Arkhangelsk. By 1602, he emerged as a foundational figure in the Dutch East India Company (VOC), serving among its first directors. The brothers functioned as the company's largest investors, beginning with 47,000 guilders and increasing their stake to 120,000 guilders by 1609. He was also instrumental in the creation of the Compagnie van Verre and the Amsterdam Exchange Bank, known as the Wisselbank, where the company maintained its accounts.
Land Investment and Legacy
Beyond his merchant activities, Van Os directed capital toward land development. In 1612, he acquired more than one-seventh of the land located in Beemster and the Purmer. His professional involvement extended to supporting the 1609 expedition of Henry Hudson, which sought alternative routes to the East. Van Os died in 1615. His son, Dirck van Os II, later served as the dijkgraaf of Beemster between 1618 and 1666 and was captured in a portrait by Rembrandt that is currently held by the Joslyn Art Museum.
Fast facts
- Born: 1556, Antwerp
- Died: 1615, Amsterdam
- Primary Occupations: Merchant, Entrepreneur
- Citizenship: Southern Netherlands
- Key Affiliations: VOC, Compagnie van Verre, Amsterdam Exchange Bank
Questions readers ask
What was the significance of the 1606 document signed by Van Os?
It represents the oldest stock share in the world.
What industries did the Van Os brothers operate in?
They traded in leather, grain, and precious stones, and organized salt shipping expeditions.
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