Lot # 2332: 1948 Branch Rickey Signed Brooklyn Dodgers Stock Certificate - JSA

Brooklyn Dodgers stock certificate signed in black ink along the base by team president Branch Rickey. The attractive design of the certificate features a finely rendered engraving of Ebbets Field along the top, with illustrations of baseball equipment pictured below the corporate name, "Brooklyn National League Baseball Club." Baseball vignettes also adorn each corner. The certificate, dated June 14, 1948, confers 10 shares of common capital stock to "Marie McKeever Mulvey." In addition to Rickey's signature, the certificate is also signed in black ink by team treasurer John Smith. The word "Canceled" and the date "12/18/'53" are written in black ink across the front. Formal acknowledgment of the stock's transfer is recorded on the reverse and is signed by "Marie McKeever Mulvey" in blue ink. Marie McKeever Mulvey was the daughter of Stephen McKeever, who was the owner of the Dodgers from 1925 until he died in 1938, at which time his ownership stake passed to his daughter, Marie, and her husband, James Mulvey. In 1950, Walter O'Malley assumed majority control of the club, but the Mulveys retained minority ownership until O'Malley finally bought them out completely in 1975. The certificate (12.5 x 9.25 inches) displays a vertical fold along with staple holes in the left corners. There is also a small strip of paper loss along the top edge of the reverse. Excellent condition overall. Full LOA from James Spence/JSA.