This lithograph is the “Declaration of Independence” for your collection. By having the American Bank Note Co. handle the printing for J.M. Brunswick & Balke Co., the firm was making a statement: Billiards was no longer a basement pastime; it was an institution of high finance and precision.
The fact that this dates to the 1870s—the pivotal decade of the Brunswick and Balke merger—makes Item 239 a foundational document of American sporting history.
The “Bank Note” Level of Detail
Because the American Bank Note Co. printed this, it possesses a level of security and artistry usually reserved for $1,000 gold certificates. For the investor, this means:
Micro-Line Engraving: The borders likely contain “lathe-work” (complex, interlocking geometric patterns) that were designed to prevent forgery and denote institutional authority.
Original Wood Backing: This is the “DNA” of the piece. While many posters were “acid-cleaned” or “linen-backed” in the 1980s, keeping the original wood backing preserves the Great Patina—that deep, smoky amber hue that only 150 years of pool-room atmosphere can produce. Size: 30 1/2″ x 24 1/2″.
