NYSE Trading Floor Annunciator - RARE - 1903 to 1980 | New York Stock Exchange Annunciator

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NYSE Trading Floor Annunciator - "The Big Board" - 1903 to 1980 - RARE

NYSE Trading Floor Annunciator - RARE - 1903 to 1980

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Our Price: $4,750.00

Vintage Collection

Product Code: V299-4

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Description

The current New York Stock Exchange building we know today was opened in 1903. Part of it's original design was a broker pager system called the annunciator board. The annunciator board was two 800 square foot racks mounted on North and South sides of the trading floor. Over 24 miles of wire were installed to run the boards. The annunciator board became known as the "Big Board", the nickname still used for the NYSE today.

Each annunciator was painted with an individual broker's number, which was the number he wore on his jacket. When displayed up on the Big Board, it would display black. When the broker had an order with his clerk, they would press a button which would drop the broker's annunciator flaps to display his broker number as well a color-coded flaps. The color would tell the broker where to send his "floor boy" or messenger. The color would indicate a corresponding trading booth (for instance orange for Merrill Lynch).

Brokers learned to keep an eye on the board and some brokers could even identify their falling flap by the sound it made. On heavy trading days, the overwhelming sound of "Flap Flap Flap" could be hear throughout the exchange. The use of the annunciator board was eventually replaced by an electronic paging system.

In 1980, the NYSE trading floor underwent major renovations and was torn down to upgrade to more modern electronics. These Annunciators were put into wooden display boxes and given out to Floor Traders as a gift from the Exchange. Each one was engraved with the Broker's name.

This is the first Annunciator we have been able to purchase in 17 years. They seldom show up in the open market or auction. We often speak with traders and the one item they never seem willing to sell is their Annunciator number. They hold these dear to their hearts.

If you push the button on the back, the flaps will raise and lock into position showing the black face. The latches can then be manually dropped to display the color side of the Annunciator.

NYSE "Big Board" Broker Annunciator Number

Dates of Use: 1903 - 1980
Walnut Box: 10 3/8" x 4.75" x 10.5"
Weight: 10 lbs 7 oz
Condition: as pictured
Shipment will be insured and require signature upon delivery