Picked up what I think is a neat little gem. Not knowing what is was, I thought I would share what I have learned. This thing looks & feels like a card, but it is thicker (think of 3 1986 topps stacked on top).
Measures 1.25" x 2.25". Perhaps technically its a ticket? Back in the day these were purchased at a place referred to as a "Turf Exchange" or "Base Ball Exchange" - essentially a gambling hall. Sometimes referred to as a "Blind Tiger" which I had never heard of before. Most of the info I find ranges from about the mid 1880s - 1890s. I have found articles about raids, arrests, gunfights and grand openings! These places were apparently fairly shady, although some read as having the finest furniture and serving food 24 - 7
I have posted a few pages below and Highlighted the parts about how they bet on the Major League Base Ball games. It is really interesting to me...
I have tried to find something on the proprietor "W. P. Clements" shown on the ticket - The best I have done is a W.P. Clements horse breeder out of Lebanon Kentucky - about a 170 miles away from Evansville??? I have to wonder though, is Clements the REAL owners name? I found an interesting news article shown at the bottom of this page - A man reminisces about the turf exchange days and it is full of nicknames
Has anyone seen or have one of these? I apologize if all of this is common knowledge. Sometimes I am behind the times. Its just that I have never seen one before...
Would really like to hear your feed back and please read the Highlighted sections below.
Shawn