Catalog: Antiques: Instruments and Implements: Sports (37)

Offered is a fine, all-original, aluminum, golf mallet putter from the Dave Cuthbert shop of St. Andrews Scotland.

This well balanced and sleek appearing club sports a straight hickory shaft and a nice leather grip. Deep checkering lines adorn the face and a well struck "D. CUTHBERT - SPECIAL" stamp is seen on the top.

The condition is very good with the expected small dings, scratches and wear of a club that is over 100 years old. The club measures 34 inches from the sole to the end of the club.

SOME HISTORY

David Scott “Dave” Cuthbert was born in St. Andrews, Scotland in 1885. He got his start in golf as a caddy at St. Andrews Golf Club, and as a young man, he worked in Old Tom Morris’ golf shop. He often caddied for Freddie Tait who was one of the greatest amateurs in Great Britain. In 1912, Cuthbert learned from a friend who had worked in America that Huntingdon Valley Country Club was looking for a golf professional, so he set sail at once. He arrived in Philadelphia during a March blizzard with his golf clubs and a suitcase. He then proceeded to seek out the Huntingdon Valley green chairman. Without an appointment he announced that he was David Cuthbert of St. Andrews and he had come all the way from Scotland for the position of golf professional. He was hired and stayed seven years. He relocated to Canada for four years and returned to PA when Ashbourne Country Club opened in 1923. Cuthbert was Ashbourne’s first golf pro, and he remained there for fifteen years. In the club's opening year, 1923, Cuthbert finished second by one stroke in the 1923 Pennsylvania Open.

Offered are three, handsome, McGregor Brass head hickory shaft golf putters that are all different. All three clubs have a wonderful aged patina and solid straight shafts that include a stamp noting the following: "MADE BY THE CRAWFORD, McGREGOR, & CAMBY CO DAYTON, OHIO".

Club #1 sports sleek Art Deco styling with a milled flange on the base and a beveled edge on the top back of putter. The #60 stamped on the bevel indicates the model number. It measures 34 inches from heel to top of shaft and has small dings and surface wear commensurate with use and its 100+ years of age.

The 2nd handsome club notes fewer custom features but is similar in style and shape to club #1. Measures 34 inches from the heel to the end of the shaft and its condition is similar to club #1.

The 3rd McGregor brass putter is a smooth face blade example that sports a new grip. Measures 33 inches from heel to the end of the club and is in good condition for an 100 year old club.

A terrific trio!

Offered are three, desirable, circa 1910-1920 era, smooth face, hickory shaft golf clubs. Although smooth face golf clubs fell out of fashion and perhaps function by the very early 1900s, they were still offered in catalogues for a number of years beyond this date.

The first club is stamped on the back "SPALDING - GOLD MEDAL" and measures 39.5" from the heel to the top of the shaft. The Gold Medal line was first introduced in 1905 and offered till 1919. The complete grip shows mild separation and is in good condition. The shaft on this long club (likely a #2 iron) has a modest bend near the grip.

The second club, a putter, is stamped on the upper shaft "THE CRAWFORD MACGREGOR & CAMBY CO - DAYTON, OH" and measures 32.5 inches from the top of the club to the heel. The sheepskin grip is worn and the face of the club is heavy by design.

The third club is likely a MASHIE, has a straight shaft and good grip. The name of the maker is not discernible due to a partially worn stamped label. It measures almost 36 inches from the end of the club to the heel.

All three clubs show various, small, leading edge dings, original patina and mild wear commensurate with the clubs' use and 110+ years of age. A delightful trio!

Offered is a hard to find, circa 1900, Richard Leslie, Smooth Face Hickory Shaft Putter made in Scotland. Although smooth face golf clubs fell out of fashion by the very early 1900s, they were still offered in catalogues for a number of years beyond this date.

This smooth face club is stamped on the back "R. LESLIE - CHICAGO" - MADE IN SCOTLAND. The leather grip is in good condition, and the straight hickory shaft sports a nice aged patina.

Measures 35 inches from heel to top of shaft and is in very nice condition with only minimal wear commensurate with light use.

Leslie, who is of Scottish pedigree, was the designer of GLEN VIEW CLUB in Chicago in 1897, the site of the 1904 US OPEN and various US Amateur events. He was also was their first head professional, and by the looks and craftsmanship of this club, quite the club maker!

Offered are two, very nice, circa 1905-1910, smooth face, hickory shaft, golf clubs. Smooth face golf clubs fell out of fashion and perhaps function by the very early 1900s, but they were still offered in catalogues for a number of years beyond this date.

The 1st smooth face club is stamped on the back "Wm. GIBSON - KINGHORN SCOTLAND - CLEEK ...". It is a quite scarce, left handed model with a lambskin grip, straight hickory shaft, sporting a nice, aged patina. It measures 38 inches from heel to top of shaft and has small dings and surface wear commensurate with use and it's 110+ years of age.

The 2nd club is marked "SD & G" on back, and it, too, has signs of honorable use and wear. There is a "sheen" present in the sweet spot on the face that is of unknown origin. The club has a straight shaft, an appealing patina and measures 37 inches from the top of the shaft to the heel.

Two sweet early 1900s clubs!

Offered are two, very nice, circa 1910, Seymour Dunn, DEEP DOT Face, hickory shaft golf clubs.

These scarce clubs are stamped on the back "MAKER - SEYMOUR DUNN - LAKE PLACID NEW YORK U.S.A. - a CROWN (VIET ARTE)..". The leather grips are in good condition, and the shafts sport a nice aged patina.

The PITCHER measures 35.5 inches from heel to top of shaft. The MIDIRON measures 37.5 inches from the heel to top of club, and there is a slight bend in the shaft. Both clubs have various small dings to the metal surface and areas of wear commensurate with the club's use and 110+ years of age.

Seymour Dunn, of Scottish origin, was the nephew of Willie Dunn, an accomplished golf pro, course designer and club maker. Seymour worked with his uncle for two years until setting up his own shop in 1910. Seymour, just like his uncle, became an accomplished golf pro, course designer and club maker, and additionally, was a successful author of books on golf and a frequent contributor to golf magazines. Quite a talented family!

Offered is a rare, circa 1910-1921, Macgregor DEEP GROOVE Golf Club that was designed to significantly enhance the backspin of a golf ball. As history would have it, the clubs actually worked and gave an unfair advantage to those professionals who were adept at using them.

The back of the club is stamped as follows: WONT-RUST 9-R ACCURATE - BAKSPIN (with arrow) MASHIE-NIBLICK and an oval stamp with MACGREGOR, DAYTON OH.

In 1921, RIBBED GOLF CLUBS were banned by the R&A and USGA just after the OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP.

Measures 35.5 inches from heel to top of shaft. The leather grip appears to be original and is in good condition. The hickory shaft is straight, sturdy, and has the following stamping near the grip: THE CRAWFORD MACGREGOR & CAMBY CO. DAYTON, OHIO. The head of the club shows moderate and honorable wear, worn grooves with a good surface.

A nice example of an early club with a controversial history.

For more details search DEEP GROOVE GOLF CLUB - JOCK HUTCHISON - RIBBED GOLF CLUB

Offered is a circa early 1900s Scotland-made, hickory shaft golf club. Generous stamping is evident on the back of club including the following: "WILLIAM GIBSON - KINGHORN SCOTLAND" inside of an oval. "H LOGAN'S 'THE GENIE MODEL' MASHIE NIBLICK" - STAR cleek mark and more!

Measures 35.5 inches from heel to top of shaft. The old leather grip is in good condition. The hickory shaft is straight and has an old repair but remains quite sturdy. The face has a dot pattern and shows mild and honorable wear.

SOME HISTORY:
William Gibson was the maker of this club and Hugh Logan was the professional who endorsed the popular high-end GENIE MODEL. Gibson was born in 1868 and was first a blacksmith who turned cleekmaker (a skilled blacksmith who manufactured early iron clubs). Gibson started his firm in Edinberg in 1887 and changed its name and location to Kinghorn in 1903 when his partner passed away.

Hugh Logan was born in Prestwick, Scotland, in 1880, and first worked for Tom Morris's successor, Charles Hunter, then, honed his skills at the famous London Scottish club at Wimbledon where he patented the adjustable club 'Genii'. He was held in high regard in the club-making fraternity, he played in the OPEN numerous times, and he served as a golf professional.

Offered are two, very nice, circa 1915, smooth face, hickory shaft, golf clubs. Smooth face golf clubs fell out of fashion and perhaps function by the very early 1900s, but they were still offered in catalogues for a number of years beyond this date.

The 1st smooth face club is stamped on the back "M.S.J." owner with a faint maker's stamp "N.Y. and a tulip cleek stamp". It is a striking right handed model with original grip, straight hickory shaft, sporting a nice, aged patina. It measures 35.5 inches from heel to top of shaft and has small dings mainly to the leading edge and surface wear commensurate with use and it's 110+ years of age.

The 2nd club is unmarked, and it, too, has signs of mild honorable use and wear and has an original grip. The club has a straight shaft, sports an appealing patina and measures 35 inches from the top of the shaft to the heel. Probably a 3-4 iron.

Two desirable examples of early 1900s clubs!

Offered are two, very nice, circa 1915, smooth face, hickory shaft, golf clubs. Smooth face golf clubs fell out of fashion and perhaps function by the very early 1900s, but they were still offered in catalogues for a number of years beyond this date.

The 1st club is marked "FORGAN & SO.." and sports signs of honorable use and wear with faint pitting and has an original grip. The club has a straight shaft, an appealing patina and measures 38.5 inches from the top of the shaft to the heel. The shaft is stamped "FORGAN & SON - ST ANDREWS.

The 2nd smooth face club is stamped on the back "WRIGHT-DITSON". It is a handsome right handed model with a replaced lambskin grip, straight hickory shaft, sporting a nice, aged patina. It measures 37 inches from heel to top of shaft and has minimal pitting, small dings and surface wear commensurate with use and its 110+ years of age.

Two hard to find examples of early 1900s clubs which includes the popular Scottish club maker FORGAN!

Offered are two desirable, circa 1905-1910, smooth face hickory shaft golf clubs. Smooth face golf clubs fell out of fashion, and perhaps function, by the very early 1900s, yet they were still offered in catalogues for a number of years beyond this date.

The 1st smooth face club is stamped on the back "R.B.WILSON - OK SPECIAL - MADE IN SCOTLAND". The lambskin grip is in good condition, and the hickory shaft sports a nice aged patina. It measures 38.5 inches from heel to top of shaft and is likely a MASHIE although it is not marked as such. There are various small dings, faint pitting to the metal surface and examples of wear commensurate with this club's use and 110+ years of age.

The 2nd club is marked "MORRISTOWN" on back and is very nice with minimal signs of use. There is a "sheen" seen in the sweet spot that is of unknown origin. Of note: Spalding produced a line of clubs marked 'Morristown', so this club may well be one of their earlier examples as there are no other maker marks present...an excellent club, indeed!

Circa 1910-1921, very scarce, MacGregor, DEEP GROOVE Golf Club that was designed to significantly enhance the backspin of a golf ball. As history would have it, these clubs actually worked and gave an unfair advantage to those professionals who were adept at using them!

The sole of the club is marked MASHIE NIBLICK. The back of the club is stamped as follows: Guaranteed Forged - R-Z ACCURATE - BAKSPIN (with arrow) MASHIE-NIBLICK and a faint oval stamp with MACGREGOR, DAYTON OH.

In 1921, RIBBED GOLF CLUBS were banned just after the OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP by both the R&A and USGA.

Measures 35.5 inches from heel to top of shaft. The leather grip appears to be original and is in good condition. The hickory shaft is straight, sturdy and has the following stamping near the grip: THE CRAWFORD MACGREGOR & CAMBY CO. DAYTON, OHIO. The head of the club shows modest and honorable wear, good grooves with generalized tiny unobtrusive pitting to the surface.

A nice example of an early club with a controversial history!

For more details search DEEP GROOVE GOLF CLUB - JOCK HUTCHISON - RIBBED GOLF CLUB

Offered is this very scarce, circa 1910, Willie Dunn, Smooth Face Hickory Shaft Golf Club. Although smooth face golf clubs fell out of fashion by the very early 1900s, they were still offered in catalogues for a number of years beyond this date.

This smooth face club is stamped on the back "WILLIE DUNN - NEW YORK". The leather grip is in good condition, and the slightly bent hickory shaft sports a nice aged patina.

Measures 39 inches from heel to top of shaft and is probably a MASHIE although it is not marked as such. There are various small dings, mild pitting to the metal surface and examples of wear commensurate with this club's 110+ years of age and use.

Of Scottish origin, Willie Dunn settled with his wife and son in New York and established his club manufacturing business there. Not only was he a very talented golf club maker, he was also an accomplished professional golfer, finishing 2nd in the inaugural US OPEN, but also had gained a fine reputation as an outstanding golf course designer.

Offered is an early 1900s, very striking, low profile, hickory shaft era, golf club, stamped "JIGGER" on the sole. A jigger in golf is a club in between a mashie and a mid iron essentially one with a low loft.

The club sports a nice patina throughout including an original grip and desirable smooth face construction. Measures 37 inches from the heel to end of the straight, sturdy shaft. The club shows mild wear and is void of any cleek or maker marks.

A sweet, well-balanced club ready for your use or for display in your collection.

SOME HISTORY

The jigger is said to have its origins in Scotland during the late 19th century. It was popularized by greats such as Harry Vardon and James Braid. Due to the evolution of golf course design and smoother, faster greens the need for a specialized club for short shots diminished.

Offered is a very handsome circa 1920-1930 era, hickory shaft, BRASSIE golf club sporting a fancy 7 DOT face.

This delightful club is marked "MAJESTIC" on the crown and is likely a Macgregor made club based on its quality plus the configuration of the seven dot designed face, which is a Macgregor feature.

This attractive club appears all original and is in very good condition considering its nearly 100 year existence. It has a straight 42.5 inch hickory shaft, an original grip and appealing patina in addition to wear and scuffs common to vintage clubs. The brass sole plate shows mild wear and has the #5 stamped near the middle. The face plate is not quite flush with the front of the club but is otherwise very tight and secure in place.

A delightful example of the fusion of beauty and function in sports equipment!

Offered is this circa 1910s, very scarce, Macgregor DEEP GROOVE Golf Club that was designed to significantly enhance the backspin of a golf ball. As history would have it, the clubs actually worked and gave an unfair advantage to those professionals who were adept at using them.

The back of the club is stamped as follows: "PREMIER", "HA", "J.JOLLY" (probably owner) - BAKSPIN (with arrow - a Macgregor identifier) and MASHIE.

In 1921, RIBBED GOLF CLUBS also known as Deadstop Irons were banned by the R&A and USGA just after the OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP won by Jock Hutchison who had used these clubs.

Measures 36 inches from heel to top of shaft. The leather grip appears to be original and is in good condition. The hickory shaft is straight and is sturdy. The head shows minimal wear, and is my best example being offered. A showcase collectible!

For more details search DEEP GROOVE GOLF CLUB - JOCK HUTCHISON - RIBBED GOLF CLUB.

Offered are three nice, collectible, C1920 - 1930 era, hickory shaft golf clubs.

The first club is stamped on the back with the following: "Hillerich & Bradsby Co. - Louisville, KY - GRAND SLAM" with the "hand and cards" cleek mark". The "#7" is stamped on the sole. The face is DOT stamped with a fancy "GRAND SLAM" mark on the sweet spot. The straight shaft measures 35.5 inches to the heel and sports a replaced leather grip.

The second club is stamped on the back with the following: "LADY BURKE" in an oval - the "#11", the "SCALES" cleek mark and "NIBLICK". The straight shaft is 35 inches long to the heel and sports a nice patina and original grip with a small piece missing. The face has a straight line configuration.

The third club, which has "MASHIE" stamped on the sole, measures 36.5 inches and has an original leather grip and a shaft with a slight bend. The back has the following stamps: "Approved by GOLFERS ASSN. of AMERICA" and "CRAIG WOOD - LOUISVILLE G.C. - MASHIE and P-52".

SOME HISTORY:
The Burke Company was the offshoot of another Ohio golf manufacturer. Its founder, William Burke, had managed MacGregor's club-making for nearly 15 years before branching out on his own in 1910 and converting his new company into Burke Golf Company, beginning with a full production of complete golf clubs.
Truly one of the world’s best golfers during his era, Craig Wood, was the winner of 21 PGA Tournaments including both the Masters and U.S. Open in 1941. He spent many of his most competitive seasons as a head professional in New Jersey and was a member of three Ryder Cup teams (1931, 1933, 1935). He worked at Forest Hill Field Club in Bloomfield from 1928-31 and at Hollywood Golf Club in Deal from 1932-35.

Craig Wood was the first player to lose all four major championships in extra holes. His major wins came late in his career at age 39.

Up for your consideration is a handsome Hillerich and Bradbsy 7 Iron, sporting a hickory shaft and a professionally replaced leather grip. Measures 35.5 inches from heel to end of the straight shaft. The stamping on the back includes the "HAND & CARDS" CLEEK mark, and "Hillerich & Bradbsy Co. Louisville, KY". The popular club model "GRAND SLAM" is proudly stamped on the front sweet spot. The condition is very good with the expected minor scratches and dings complete with a newly replaced leather grip. Overall, this club sports a nice patina and is worthy of any collection. I believe that this club dates to the 1920 - 1930 era.

SOME HISTORY:
H&B operated as a carpentry business starting in 1855 by J.F. Hillerich. In the mid 1880s, his son expanded the business into making bats for a local semi-pro baseball team which were an instant hit with the players. In 1894, they were labeled the "LOUISVILLE SLUGGER", and in 1905, HONUS WAGNER signed an endorsing contract attesting to their quality. Salesman, Frank Bradsby, became a partner in 1916, and the company was renamed "The Hillerich and Bradsby Co". This same year, the company started making golf clubs. By 1923, TY COBB, BABE RUTH and Lou GEHRIG all used their bats!