Arago: Trade Check Tokens

This is one of two tokens Owney received from Alphonse Stude’s Houston, Texas, bakery. Stude, a prominent Houston businessman and city booster, recognized the advertising potential of the traveling dog. Owney’s visits were often written up in local newspapers, with reporters often listing the tokens the dog was wearing at the time. This token, which could be used in trade for a small loaf of bread, is known as a trade check. Such tokens were used much like coupons are today, offered by merchants as a lure to increase customers’ purchases.