As baseball popularity continued to grow during the 1880s enterprising merchants cashed in on this phenomenon by issuing store “Currency” coupons featuring various Major League teams. Presented is an absolutely gorgeous 1889 example of this currency type bearing images of the “Chicago White Stockings” (Cubs). Measuring 7-3/4 x 3-1/2” this stunning note is graced by a portrait of team owner Albert Spalding and an unidentified period batsman on the obverse and a composite woodcut of (12) player portraits on the reverse including “Cap” Anson. More on our website.

This currency note was issued in 1889 by “Chapman & Jakeman” of Norfolk, VA., “Dealers in Watches, Diamond and Jewelry”. While several specimens of 1880s merchant currency have surfaced of late, this is by far the nicest and cleanest we have seen. This excellent note presents exceptionally crisp paper quality and does not appear to have been folded. The colors and graphics are distinct and well defined with clearly legible text and images throughout. Unobtrusive condition issues include north/south off-centering, minor soiling on the bottom border and a barely perceptible 1/2” edge tear just to the left of bottom center.

The twelve player images on the reverse are clockwise: team leader and Hall of Famer “Cap” Anson (regarded as baseball’s first superstar), Burns, Pettit, Williamson, Darling, Daly (misspelled as Daily), Flint, Baldwin, Sullivan, Van Haltren, Ryan, and Pfeffer. The center of the reverse bears a disclaimer stating “This bill is good for FIVE PER CENT in payment for a cash purchase made of us amounting to ONE DOLLAR or over”. Albert Spalding depicted on the obverse in an engraving style image is also a member of the Hall of Fame. 1889 was to be the final year the Chicago National League club was known as the “White Stockings”, the name they used during the 1870s-80s. They would be known as the “Colts” from 1890-97 and the “Orphans” from 1898-1902, before becoming the “Cubs” in 1903.