{"product_id":"american-trotting-register-official-certificate-from-1909","title":"American Trotting Register Official Certificate from 1909","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis is an original certificate from the American Trotting Register, dated September 11th, 1909. Printed in brown, it features a vignette of a trotting horse in profile, captured mid-stride within a decorative frame.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis uncancelled piece shows age-appropriate wear and some discoloration consistent with its century-plus age, with visible fold lines that speak to its working history. The certificate bears serial number 87307 and includes the handwritten signature of registrar Frank Best.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn 1919, American harness racing was experiencing its golden age, with the American Trotting Register serving as the official registry for standardbred horses across the United States. Founded in the 1870s, the organization maintained the authoritative stud book that tracked bloodlines and performance records for America's premier harness racing horses. The Register was headquartered in Chicago, positioning it at the heart of the Midwest's thriving horse breeding industry. \u003cstrong\u003eWallace Bruce\u003c\/strong\u003e, who established the original trotting register, had recognized that systematic record-keeping would legitimize harness racing as a serious sport rather than mere gambling entertainment. By 1919, the Register's certificates served as proof of a horse's eligibility to compete in major racing circuits, making these documents essential to owners of valuable trotting stock. The organization's meticulous genealogical records helped establish the standardbred as a distinct American breed, separate from the thoroughbreds that dominated flat racing.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEquestrian certificates represent a unique niche in scripophily, combining the artistry of formal document design with America's deep cultural connection to horse racing and breeding. This piece captures the moment when harness racing commanded the same public attention that thoroughbred racing enjoys today, making it both a financial artifact and a window into America's sporting heritage. Offered as a collectible.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Ticker History","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52314943488287,"sku":"INDU-ATR-SU-BRN-1909-001","price":249.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0836\/8757\/1743\/files\/american-trotting-register-certificate-1919-front-1.jpg?v=1776049999","url":"https:\/\/shop.tickerhistory.com\/zh\/products\/american-trotting-register-official-certificate-from-1909","provider":"Ticker History","version":"1.0","type":"link"}