Merchants Exchange of St. Louis Certificate (1882)

Description

Product Details
Beautifully engraved antique membership certificate from the Merchants Exchange of St. Louis dating back to the 1880's. This document, which is signed by the company President and Secretary, was printed by the James Hogan Printing Co. and measures approximately 11 1/2" (w) by 9 3/4" (h).
This piece features four great vignettes - a St. Louis river scene, a pair of waterfront wharf scenes and the actual Merchant's Exchange building itself.
Images
You will receive the exact certificate pictured.
Historical Context
The Merchants Exchange founded in 1836 was the first commodity trading exchange in the United States - predating the Chicago Board of Trade. In its early years it was referred to as the Chamber of Commerce.
The grand opening on December 21, 1875, was a bustling affair, fitting for the building's importance to commerce and society. Grain traders gathered there to buy and sell the harvests that poured into St. Louis by steamboat, railroad and horse cart. Clerks feverishly scratched offerings and prices across long chalkboards as inspectors examined wheat, corn and oats in metal bowls.
In 1876, the Democratic Party held its national convention there and chose Samuel J. Tilden, who lost to Rutherford B. Hayes in a bitterly disputed election. Two years later, the trading hall was home to the first Veiled Prophet Ball, held there annually until 1911. Exchange membership was a who's who of the local establishment.
The Merchants Exchange Building was a building at Third Street at Chestnut and Pine, and was torn down in 1958. Part of the Adam's Mark Hotel was built in its location.