1884 Chicago Board of Trade Membership Ticket | John P. Truesdell, Signed by E. Nelson Blake

Authentic 1884 Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) membership ticket issued to John P. Truesdell of Field, Lindley & Co., hand-signed by CBOT President E. Nelson Blake. Includes an engraved vignette of the original CBOT building on the back. Exceptional provenance for collectors of 19th‑century American finance and exchange memorabilia.

Why This 1884 CBOT Ticket Matters

E. Nelson Blake served as CBOT president in 1884–1885 and later became the first president of the University of Chicago Board, appointed by J.D. Rockefeller. Blake presided over the 1885 opening of the new CBOT building — at the time Chicago’s tallest structure — making this ticket part of a pivotal moment in exchange history.

John P. Truesdell: Biography & Role

John P. Truesdell was a prominent New York grain merchant and partner in Field, Lindley & Co., served as Manager of the New York Produce Exchange and a member of its Finance Committee. After Field, Lindley’s collapse in 1891, Truesdell founded the John P. Truesdell Company and continued active commercial and civic involvement, including support for canal development and representing the Produce Exchange.

Field, Lindley & Co. — Historical Context

Field, Lindley & Co., founded in 1877, rose to prominence backed by Cyrus W. Field’s influence. The firm’s aggressive trading led to insolvency and litigation in 1891, reshaping New York and Chicago brokerage circles. Truesdell’s later enterprises and civic roles make this ticket historically relevant to that turbulent era.

Item Overview: 1884 CBOT Membership Ticket

• Item: Chicago Board of Trade membership ticket (collectible)
• Year: 1884
• Recipient: John P. Truesdell (Field, Lindley & Co.)
• Signature: E. Nelson Blake (CBOT President, hand-signed)
• Printer: Western Bank Note & Engraving Company, Chicago
• Back Engraving: Original CBOT building (prior to 1885 new building)
• Dimensions: Approximately 4" x 2.5"
• Condition: Excellent; as pictured

Display & Collectibility

A standout piece for collectors of CBOT ephemera, 19th‑century brokerage documents, and Chicago/New York exchange history. Fits museum displays, offices, or private collections highlighting early American commodity exchanges.

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