Follow the long ago money trail of the Boston Red Sox with this 1911 stock certificate. Before Harry Frazee was in a position to sell Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees, the Red Sox had several different owners. A major transaction took place in September of 1911, when Jimmy McAleer and Bob McRoy purchased 50% of the team from John I. Taylor for the princely sum of $150,000. Taylor had taken over as owner of the Sox in 1904, and with this 1911 transaction McAleer became team president, with McRoy serving as his secretary.



Dated 11/21/1911, this certificate is numbered "88" at top-left, and is made in the amount of 37 preferred shares at $100 per to Robert B. McRoy. The Boston American League Base-Ball Club had a capitalization of $250,000 at the time, as cited at top-right with "$150,000 Preferred, $100,000 Common". Written over the central printed text is "Canceled, New Stock Issued 3-6-12".



(3) signatures average ("8") potency, with: Hugh A. McBreen - Treasurer, and John I. Taylor - President, at bottom on the front; and Robert B. McRoy on the back. This antique stock certificate remains very crisp and appealing, with two original compacting folds. There is also some minor surface loss at two of the corners, and a couple of hole punches near the right edge. No authentication for the signatures due to the genuine nature of this certificate.

Opening Bid $200.