Historical Significance
"From the Western Union desks, located in a great railed-in space in the northwest angle of the floor, came an incessant ticking of the telegraph sounders, and messenger boys pushed their way hither and thither across the floor with yellow envelopes in their hands." - Fame and Fortune Weekly, Stories of a Boy Who Makes Money. A Corner in Corn; or How A Chicago Boy Did the Trick. October 20,1905
This was a highly coveted position as it often lead to a position as a floor trader. John Gratin McCarthy, known as the "honest Irishman", was elected president of the Chicago Board of Trade in 1939. He got his start as a Messenger Boy in 1903 at the age of 13.
Provenance & Context
- Era: 1938 Chicago Board of Trade
- Material: Stamped Brass Badge
- Dimensions: approximately 1.5" H x 1.25" W
- Condition: As pictured
