NYSE Last Sale Indicator – Historic Piece of the Original Trading Floor

When the main NYSE trading floor opened in the new New York Stock Exchange building in 1903, it was furnished with 16 trading posts which were tall wood paneled structures with padded benches surrounding the bases. Each post could accommodate 24 stocks. This was the first time these manual last sale indicators first appeared on the floor.

After lessons learned from the Great Crash of 1929, and to accommodate the increasing trading volume, the NYSE installed 17 new horseshow-shaped trading posts between 1929 and 1932 which remained in service until 1980. Trading Specialists were assigned to their trading post outside and clerks were stationed inside. Clerks inside the horseshoe were connected via a pneumatic tube station and telephone booths with the ticker plant. The Last Sale Indicators would be set at plus or minus followed by their last 3-digit price.

In 1981, these Last Sale Indicators were put into wooden display boxes and given out to Floor Traders from William M. Batten, Chairman & CEO and John J. Phelan, Jr., President & COO of the NYSE. The remainder were donated to universities or placed in museums. These items are exceedingly rare to find outside private hands.

Included with this piece is a copy of the original letter from the NYSE President & CEO. Awesome piece.

While a little stiff, the numbers/dials move so you can set the last sale to whatever you want.

NYSE Last Sale Indicator

• Dates of Use: 1903 – 1980
• Walnut Box: 9.25" x 5.5" x 4.75"
• Weight: 6 lbs 13 oz
• Includes: Copy of the original NYSE President & CEO letter
• Condition: As pictured
• Shipping: Shipment insured and require signature upon delivery

Historical Significance & Display Appeal

• Rare archival item with direct ties to NYSE trading history
• Includes a copy of the original NYSE letter, enhancing provenance and value
• Ideal for collectors, finance museums, university archives, and executive offices

Specifications