Chicago Call Board Membership Certificate (1883) – Edward S. Washburn | Including 1883 Letter

Discover a distinctive piece of 19th-century finance: an 1883 Chicago Provision, Grain & Stock Board (Call Board) Membership Certificate issued to Edward S. Washburn of Field, Lindley & Co., paired with a contemporaneous Field, Lindley & Co. letter dated 7/12/1883. This document records receipt, transfer of control after Washburn’s exit from the firm. Certificate #12 bears Washburn’s signature on the reverse and John R. Bensley’s signature on the front as President.

This is an extrememly rare membership certificate. The exchange only existed for a couple of years we can find no other example of this certificate coming to market (besides BullMarketGifts)

Why This Piece Stands Out

• Rare Provenance: Low-number Call Board certificate #12 accompanied by an authentic Field, Lindley & Co. letter.
• Historical Insight: Illuminates Chicago’s Call Board era and its cross-border trading links with New York markets in the 1880s.
• Display-Ready Dimensions: Approximately 8 1/2" x 3 1/4", ideal for office, library, and study room decor focused on financial history.
• Documented Signatures: E.S. Washburn (reverse) and John R. Bensley (front, President).

Context: The Call Board Era

The Chicago Provision, Grain & Stock Board, or Call Board, operated as a secondary marketplace for meat provisions, grain, and stocks during the late 19th century. It complemented the CBOT and contributed to a dynamic Chicago trading culture that shaped brokerage practices and financial networks.

Field, Lindley & Co.: A Snapshot

Field, Lindley & Co. began in 1877 when Edward Morse Field joined with his brother-in-law, Daniel Lindley, to establish a commodity and stock brokerage. Backed by Cyrus West Field’s wealth and reputation, the firm quickly became a prominent force on New York’s financial scene, engaging in aggressive market activity amid a period of rapid speculation.

The firm encountered serious trouble in the early 1890s. In 1891, Field, Lindley & Co. faced insolvency, extensive litigation, and allegations of mismanagement centered on Edward Field’s trading gambits. The collapse had wide-reaching consequences for the partners and creditors, reshaping both the New York and Chicago financial landscapes.

Edward S. Washburn: Biography & Role

Edward S. Washburn was a notable figure connected with Field, Lindley & Co. He later moved to Kansas City in executive roles as President and General Manager of tow major rail lines: Kansas City, Fort Scott & Memphis Railroad and the Kansas City, Memphis & Birmingham Railroad.

Certificate & Letter Details

• Issuer / Context: Chicago Provision, Grain & Stock Board (Call Board)
• Recipient: Edward S. Washburn, Field, Lindley & Co.
• Date / Era: 1883
• Certificate Type: Membership certificate
• Certificate Number: #12
• Signatures: E.S. Washburn (reverse), John R. Bensley (front, President)
• Letter: Field, Lindley & Co. letterhead, 7/12/1883, from Edward Washburn, noting receipt of certificate, firm purchase, and transfer of control back to Field, Lindley & Co.
• Subject: Provisions, Grain, and Stock trading
• Dimensions: Approximately 8 1/2" x 3 1/4"

Historical Significance & Collectibility

This pairing provides a tangible link to Chicago’s Call Board ecosystem and the interwoven networks with New York markets. The accompanying letter adds documentary depth, increasing authenticity and scholarly value for collectors of brokerage history and exchange documentation. The item’s rarity and provenance make it a compelling centerpiece for displays in offices, libraries, or study rooms dedicated to 19th-century finance.

Display & Usage

Ideal for finance historians, antique document enthusiasts, and mining memorabilia collectors. Present this certificate with pride to showcase a rare facet of 19th-century trading and the Field, Lindley & Co. legacy.

Specifications