Rare Signed Stock Certificate

Chicago, 1914. unbound. Exceedingly rare partly printed document signed, measuring 8.25 x 11 inches -- a stock certificate issued by the Tigers Base Ball Club on April 13, 1914, certifying that E. K. Brashian is "the owner of one shares of one hundred dollars each of the Capital Stock of The Tigers Base Ball Club transferable only on the books of the Corporation by the holder hereof in person or by Attorney upon surrender of this Certificate properly endorsed." This offering was incorporated under the laws of the State of Illinois with an authorization for the Detroit Tigers to issue Capital Stock with a net worth of $5,000.00. The certificate, printed by Cameron, Amberg & Company, Chicago, Illinois, is decorated with a steel engraving of a Heraldic eagle sitting on a dome and is emblazoned with a gold embossed Corporate Seal: "The Tigers Baseball Club: Illinois." Boldly signed at the conclusion by Robert G. Selke (Secretary) and Michael O'Toole (President). Two vertical folds; tape remnants in the top margin on both sides. Very good condition.<br/> <br/> According to the Baseball Hall of Fame at Cooperstown, Michael O'Toole was "twice a minor league 20-game winner, won more than 100 games while pitching in the New England and New York State leagues of the American Association. At times, both the Boston Americans and the Detroit Tigers owned his contract. Official records of the era confuse Michael with brother and fellow teammate Marty O'Toole." Also, when viewing the Illinois State records for stock filings in the year 1914, the Secretary of States report lists the Detroit Tigers as filing and being approved for a stock offering of $5,000.00.<br/> <br/>