1889 Philadelphia Athletics Baseball Club Stock Certificate

August 9, 1889 The Athletic Base Ball Club (Philadelphia Athletics) Stock Certificate

Not the ‘Philadelphia Athletics’ of Connie Mack but instead, a franchise incorporated with the 19th Century’s American Association. The decade spanning 1882-91 witnessed this quality major league circuit standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the National League. The Athletics were a charter member of the Association, and their experience endured the full life of the league. As with any business corporation, the Athletics funded themselves largely through the sale of stock. Surviving from that era is this certificate, fully executed and rendered to “H. S. Clark” for his purchase of one share.

This particular transaction was consummated in 1889. (And for those readers demanding all the facts, The Athletics finished third that season and they rostered Wilbert Robinson.) Validating the sale were W. S. Karnes (Secretary) and W. H. Whitaker (Treasurer). As well, there appears the signature of the team’s principal owner, H. C. Pennypacker (who, we believe, was not the inspiration for the fictional character of a 1959 motion picture). This American Association stock certificate, measuring about 11″ x 7-1/2″, is in VG/EX-EX condition.