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Very nice condition. Great piece of history. Measure about 2.25x4 see my other 1870s passes from Quincy Missouri while they last
William Cornelius Van Horne (1843–1915)
He is the American-born railroad executive later knighted as Sir William Cornelius Van Horne. He is best known for overseeing the rapid construction of Canada’s first transcontinental railway (the Canadian Pacific Railway), completed in 1885 well ahead of schedule. He later served as CPR president (1888–1899) and chairman of the board. 
His career timeline matches the passes exactly:
• 1873 pass (No. 438): Issued to “W. C. Van Horne Esq., Gen. Supt. of the K.C. & St. L. R.W.” (Kansas City & St. Louis / St. Louis, Kansas City and Northern Railroad). At the time he was general superintendent of that road (appointed around 1872 while still in his late 20s). 
• 1879 pass (No. 826): Issued to “W. C. Van Horne, G. Sup. Chicago and Alton R.R.” He had returned to the Chicago & Alton as general superintendent around 1878–1879. 
Van Horne began as a teenage telegrapher, rose quickly through Illinois Central and Chicago & Alton ranks, turned around struggling roads (including the Southern Minnesota), and was widely regarded as one of the top operating men in American railroading before moving to Canada in 1882.
