Only Known New York Yankees Treasury Stock Certificate in Private Hands - 1948 dated Autograph Baseball Stock Certificate

Unique. Only Stock Certificate on record with the words "New York Yankees" in the title. Stock signed by J. Arthur Friedlund and Daniel R. Topping. Accompanied by Letter signed by Edward G. Barrow. Also initialed by Barrow as well. Stock made out to New York Yankees, Inc.

John Arthur Friedlund (1894-1972) was a prominent Chicago corporate attorney who actively shaped the city's legal landscape during the mid-20th century. In addition to his thriving legal practice, Friedlund held notable ties to major professional sports, serving for a time as the secretary of the New York Yankees baseball organization. Known for his affluence and high standing in metropolitan society, he maintained a luxurious summer estate in Sister Bay, Wisconsin, which served as a retreat from his fast-paced professional duties in Illinois.

Beyond his courtroom career, Friedlund is fondly remembered by maritime historians and classic boat enthusiasts for his deep passion for yachting. In the summer of 1929, he famously commissioned a custom 26-foot Chris-Craft runabout named Shadow, an elegant vessel featuring premium Honduran mahogany, deep green leather seating, and a powerful Scripps engine. Friedlund took extraordinary care of the boat, building a specialized boathouse on rails that lifted it entirely out of the water to ensure it never spent a night submerged. Following his death in 1972, his prized vessel was sold to local caretakers, ultimately becoming a celebrated, perfectly preserved piece of historic maritime heritage in the Door County area.

Daniel Reid Topping (June 11, 1912 – May 18, 1974) was a prominent American sports executive best known as the long-serving co-owner and president of the New York Yankees. Born on June 11, 1912, in Greenwich, Connecticut, Topping was raised in immense wealth, inheriting substantial fortunes from both his paternal grandfather, the president of Republic Iron and Steel, and his maternal grandfather, a tin industry magnate famously known as the "Tinplate King". He was educated at the prestigious Hun School and the University of Pennsylvania, where he became an exceptional multi-sport athlete, even qualifying for the U.S. Amateur golf championships. Before cementing his legacy in baseball, Topping first ventured into professional sports ownership in the 1930s by purchasing the NFL's Brooklyn Dodgers. He briefly paused his burgeoning sports career during World War II to serve his country, spending 42 months in the U.S. Marine Corps and rising to the rank of major while deployed in the Pacific Theater.

Topping’s most significant impact on American sports began in January 1945, when he partnered with Larry MacPhail and Del Webb to purchase the New York Yankees from the estate of Jacob Ruppert for $2.8 million. After buying out MacPhail's share in 1947, Topping and Webb presided over one of the most dominant dynasties in professional sports history. During Topping's 22-year tenure as chief executive, the Yankees secured 14 American League pennants and 10 World Series championships, led by legendary talents like Joe DiMaggio and Mickey Mantle. Outside the front office, Topping was a prominent figure in high society and the tabloids, marrying six times—most notably to Olympic figure skating champion and actress Sonja Henie. He and Webb eventually sold the controlling interest of the team to CBS in 1964, and Topping relinquished his remaining shares and presidency in 1966. He passed away from emphysema complications in Miami Beach, Florida, on May 18, 1974, at the age of 61.

Edward Grant Barrow (1868–1953) was a foundational American baseball executive and manager. Born in Illinois, he worked in various fields before entering baseball through minor league ownership and management. After managing the Detroit Tigers and Boston Red Sox, he won the 1918 World Series and notably converted Babe Ruth from a pitcher into an everyday player.

Joining the New York Yankees in late 1920, Barrow served as business manager and general manager, transforming a team that had never won a pennant into a dominant dynasty. Partnering with George Weiss, he built a stellar roster around stars like Lou Gehrig and Joe DiMaggio through aggressive talent acquisition and an elite farm system. His leadership yielded 14 American League pennants and 10 World Series titles.

Barrow also introduced lasting innovations, including uniform numbers, Lou Gehrig's retired number ceremony, allowing fans to keep foul balls, and playing the national anthem before games. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1953.

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