Chicago Board of Trade Membership Ticket (1899) – George Smith, Signed by Zina R. Carter

Own a rare piece of Chicago’s financial history: a 1899 Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) Membership Ticket issued to prominent Chicago attorney George Smith. This collectible is signed by CBOT president Zina Roscoe Carter and includes a historically significant and rare original issued letter and envelope from the CBOT to George Smith, with signatures from CBOT secretary George F. Stone.

George Smith was a leading attorney in Chicago during this era, deeply connected to the grain and finance industries that powered the CBOT and Chicago’s broader market ecosystem.

History: George F. Stone, CBOT Secretary Signature Context

George F. Stone served as CBOT secretary during a formative period for the exchange, helping manage governance, quotations, and member communications. His signature on the letter and ticket underscores the document’s authenticity and provenance, connecting it to the CBOT’s administration at the turn of the century.

History: Zina Roscoe Carter

Zina Roscoe Carter (1846–1922) was a prominent Chicago businessman and politician who served as president of the CBOT in 1898 and held leadership roles in the Sanitary District of Chicago and as a Chicago alderman. Carter helped shape Chicago’s grain, feed, and broader commerce sectors. His tenure as CBOT president places this ticket in a pivotal era of the exchange’s evolution, just after the Great Chicago Fire and during a period of rapid growth in the city’s financial and industrial sectors.

Item Overview: 1899 CBOT Membership Ticket

• Era / Date: 1899
• Issuer: Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT)
• Recipient: George Smith (prominent Chicago attorney)
• Signatures: Zina Roscoe Carter (CBOT President, front), George F. Stone (CBOT Secretary, on letter and ticket)
• Engraving: Engraving of the CBOT building dated 1885 engraving, showing the building without its tower
• Letter & Envelope: Original issued letter and envelope from CBOT to George Smith, signed by George F. Stone
• Dimensions: Ticket approximately 4" x 2.5" (as noted)
• Condition: Excellent; as pictured

Engraving Context: CBOT Building

The engraving on the ticket depicts the CBOT’s then-new building, completed in 1885. Notably, the engraving shows the building without the tower which was later removed due to shoddy construction.

Illustrative Significance

This CBOT ticket with accompanying original letter is a striking collectible for historians, CBOT enthusiasts, and collectors of 19th–early 20th century American finance. It also makes a memorable display piece for offices, libraries, and study rooms focused on Chicago’s financial heritage.

Display & Collectibility

Ideal for collectors of CBOT memorabilia, 19th-century brokerage documents, and Chicago architectural/financial history. The combination of the ticket, the engraved CBOT building, and the authentic letter elevates its provenance and display appeal.

Specifications