Lot # 48: Circa 1860s Reward of Merit Certificate with Baseball Scene

Demonstrate your best bidding behavior, to earn this circa 1860s N. Orr Co. Reward of Merit certificate. Similar to a dollar bill in size, this mid-19th Century marvel measures 6-1/2" x 2-7/8". Issued at a time when the sport of baseball was growing from infancy into adolescence, this antique certificate is centered by an in-action game scene featuring three boys, with a batter, a bare-handed catcher, and a base runner. Wear is moderate, with a crease at top-right, a name written on the back, and minor surface paper loss on both the front and back at bottom-left. The graphics remain strong, and the baseball scene is free of any significant detractions. While rewards of merit are in good supply, those featuring sports scenes are fairly scarce, making this attractive offering a nice find.