McCormick Reapers - 1870's

Cyrus H. McCormick invented the reaper in 1831 which is considered to be the first great labor saving farm machine. The invention of the reaper made a major contribution to the development of the western U.S. In 1947 McCormick moved to Chicago where his company, McCormick Reapers, became very successful.

The framed document is an authentic check engraved, McCormick Reapers, which is drawn on the Merchants' Savings Loan & Trust Co. of Chicago in the 1870's. The check features two vignettes. In the left-hand corner is a bundle of harvested wheat. In the right-hand corner is an interesting vignette depicting a wheat field being harvested by the McCormick horse-drawn reapers. The check has been signed C.H. & L.J. McCormick by a company official, Selleck. Also, the check has an imprinted U.S. Internal Revenue stamp. The condition of the check and signatures is excellent.

The framed document includes an enlargement of the beautiful vignette, with mountain scenery of the western U.S., depicting the McCormick reapers harvesting wheat. An engraved brass plaque entitled, Cyrus H. McCormick, inventor of the reaper 1831, completes the framed composition.

The 1" wood frame has an antique gold finish and is ready-to-hang using clear glass and acid free backing. The overall frame size is 13 1/2" W X 17 1/2" H. The engraved brass plate is also framed under glass.

The actual item looks much better than the scan indicates.