Catalog (43)

Offered are two circa 1900-1910 era, SMOOTH FACE, hickory shaft golf clubs both with professionally replaced leather grips. The clubs sport an original patina and finish adding to their appeal. Both clubs have the normal wear, dings commensurate with age and use.

Club number one is a smooth face putter. It is a ladies' example with an (L) and "J.H. NORTON MAKER - HOLLYWOOD, NJ, boldly stamped on the back. The club measures 30.5 inches from the heel to the top of the nearly straight shaft. A well made club by a maker who most likely was associated with the prestigious HOLLYWOOD GOLF CLUB near the New Jersey shore.

The second club is a very nice smooth face, unmarked, mashie that has the following stamped on the back: "VICTOR O.W. CO." There is a small wood chip missing on the straight shaft by the hosel as seen in the photo. The club measures 37 inches from the heel to the end of the straight shaft.

A nice looking duo of well-made, seldomly found clubs from these makers.

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!

This 1970 era, laser cut, Ramada Inn Hotel and Restaurant advertising sign sports patriotically-colored red, white and blue detailing. The sign highlights Ramada's SPECIAL GOLF PACKAGES and its very humorously-named "DUFFERS LOUNGE"! (In golf, a duffer is a mediocre or poor golfer.).

The 2 inch thick wood sign measures 20 inches long by 5.5 inches wide and is in very good condition. The sign has some areas of faint edge splits, minor paint loss and other unobtrusive imperfections commensurate with age and use. The patriotic colors and embossed lettering create a striking display piece. Ready for hanging above your home bar or within your golf memorabilia collection!

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 this 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, 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: Guaranteed Hand Forged - BAKSPIN (with arrow - a Macgregor identifier) and MASHIE.

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

Measures 36.5 inches from heel to top of shaft. The leather grip appears to be original and is in good condition. The hickory shaft has a slight bend and is sturdy. The head shows modest and honorable wear, good grooves with generalized, 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 are two, choice, circa 1920s - 1930 era hickory shaft golf clubs.

The first club, the ladies' 7 iron, comes with considerable pedigree. It was offered by the golf professional Frank Belwood while employed as Club Pro at Garden City Golf Club in NY. This club is a handsome ladies' mid iron with a somewhat low profile construction measuring 38 inches to the heel. The hickory shaft has a nice original patina. Noted is a slight bend towards the club head with a faint split at the hosel. The leather grip appears original and is in good condition except for some loss as seen in the photo. The club head sports dot face styling and is in good condition with mild leading edge dings. The back of the club is stamped "F.BELWOOD - GARDEN CITY"- (within a double oval) plus "SPECIAL - HAND FORGED, and (L)" indicating a ladies club.

The second club, a Putting Cleek, is in very good overall condition sporting a solid hickory shaft with an original patina. The early grip is generally good except for a small missing piece. The head sports a dot-punched style on the front, and the shaft is straight. The back is stamped with the following: "GUARANTEED HAND FORGED - PUTTING CLEEK" - and H. WATE?? SPECIAL" in an oval.

SOME HISTORY ON FRANK H. BELWOOD:
Garden City Golf Club, founded in 1899, was one of the first golf courses established in the USA, and in 1902, hosted the US OPEN. Frank H. Belwood was a successful golfer for many years and was the club professional for Garden City Golf Club in NY until the early 50s. He was a charter member of the PGA, and during the early history of American golf, he participated in various major tournaments competing against the best players of his era.

ADDITIONAL INFO ON THE PUTTING CLEEK:
A putting cleek has more loft than a putter. The cleek putting style was popular in early golf and it was said to give the player more options. On smoother greens, the players hands would be placed forward in the stroke to de-loft the club and get the ball rolling smoothly. On bumpy/rough greens it would be held normally and the extra loft would "raise the ball above the roughness".

Here is a fine example of a club created by a skilled craftsman! It is a circa 1910, smooth face hickory shaft golf club sporting a wonderful patina, stamped on the back "NICHOLLS SPECIAL".

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 grip is missing except for the listing which is in good condition, and the almost-straight hickory shaft sports a nice aged patina. There is a stamp near the base of the grip noting the following: ???? A.& C.P. CO. Mfgr - Westboro, Mass. It measures 37 inches from heel to top of shaft and is likely a MASHIE NIBLICK although it is not marked as such. There are various minor dings to the metal surface and examples of wear commensurate with this club's use and 110+ years of age.

Interesting notes: This club was most likely imported from Scotland and sold by the English brothers Gilbert and Bernard Nicholls who emigrated to the US in the early 1900s. Both brothers (who were not clubmakers) had excellent professional golfing careers. Interestingly, Scotland imported thousands of wooden shafts from the US during the hickory golf club era as evidenced by the Westboro, Mass stamp on shaft.

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 an extremely scarce, C1860s, United Kingdom Maker, Long Nose, Long Spoon, Wood Golf Club with original finish! It measures a formidable 44 inches from the heel to the end of the shaft! What is most intriguing about this club is the modestly angled 6 inch club face which showcases the dramatic curve.

This club actually presents a number of qualities that indicate it may, in fact, be an example of pre-1860s craftsmanship: : LENGTH of the face is 6 inches. The DEPTH of the face is 1 1/8 inches max. The face is SMOOTH and CURVED, and the club head is shaped in the form of a TEARDROP. The club is UNMARKED. The neck is slightly thin at just over 3/4 inches--- all indicators of an early, pre-1860s club!

This amazing club sports most of its original varnish surface and is offered in "as found" condition. The darkening of the finish results in a wonderfully rich patina. The club displays an enchanting presence owing to the gently-sculpted angling of the face. The sole of the club is without the usual ram's horn which was the typical norm, making this particular club that much more intriguing and quite unusual!!! I have not been able to find reference to clubs that were made in this fashion. RARE!!!

The early golfer must have been quite robust and sturdy as this heavy club face is one that most folks today would have a difficult time keeping "square" at impact. Long spoon clubs were used off of grassy surfaces which accounts for the very nice condition of this beauty. Besides the unobtrusive, expected scuff marks on the sole, there is only one tiny, barely-noticeable chip on the leading edge of the club face at the sole, consistent with hitting something other than a grassy surface!

The lead on the back of the club has been partially removed to customize it for the golfer. The slightly warped hickory shaft is undamaged and sports a warm, honey-colored surface. The leather grip was expertly replaced many, many years ago and has signs of honorable wear.

The skills of the craftsman are most apparent when the club is viewed from the top. While unmarked, this club displays the form of the exceptional, highly-skilled, UK club makers of the 19th century. According to author and golf history expert, Jeffrey B. Ellis, unsigned, long-nosed golf clubs were the norm in the pre-1870 era.

This rare, antique, hand-wrought, golf club was recently acquired from the estate of a gentleman who had restored and collected golf clubs for 7 decades! His family, while settling his estate, remarked that he had "paid crazy prices for some of his collection!". This prized, rare club is certain to have been included in that category!

A phenomenal, rarely-found example of 19th century craftsmanship, and a tangible example of exemplary golfing history.

Offered is this very scarce and quite early, circa 1890s, James and David Kinnell, Smooth Face Hickory Shaft Golf Club 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 "PRESTWICK KK CLUBS". 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 probably a MASHIE although it is not marked as such. There are various small leading edge dings and examples of wear commensurate with this club's 130+ years of age and use.

SOME HISTORY

The Kinnell brothers both served as golf professional and clubmaker at St Nicholas Golf Club . James was their pro from 1897 until 1901 and his brother David served between 1902 and 1936.

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, 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 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 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 are two desirable antique mallet head aluminum putters sporting good grips, nice patina and hickory shafts.

The first club is a nice circa 1900 example from the shop of Peter Hendrie. It measures 33.5 inches from the heel to end of shaft and sports a dot pattern on the face. The straight hickory shaft and leather grip are in good condition. The top of the club is stamped "P. HENDRIE" and H.B. "BYERGASON" (club owner). The head of the club has the expected dings, scuffs and wear of an early club.

Club number two is stamped "MACGREGOR 3 1/2" on the top and sports a deep checkered pattern on the face. The solid straight hickory shaft and leather grip are in very good condition on this 30.5 inch club. It sports an original patina and handsome styling- both desirable features of this nice playable club.

SOME HISTORY:
Peter Hendrie was born in North Berwick, Scotland, in 1872, where he caddied as a boy before obtaining his first professional position at the York club in 1897. He returned to North Berwick in 1900 and worked as a clubmaker for a few years. In 1902, he emigrated to Canada with his wife and took up the professional’s post at the Victoria Golf and Country Club in Montréal.

He moved south to the United States in 1911, becoming the professional at the Fort Mitchell Country Club in Kentucky. He assumed various professional positions in the US until 1924 when he was appointed the first professional at the new Ulen Country Club in Lebanon, Indiana, where he remained until his retirement in 1946.

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 three C1905-1930, hickory shaft golf clubs from Edinburgh, Scotland.

The first club, a ladies' MASHIE iron, is stamped with the following: "HENDRY & BISHOP Ltd. - EDINBURGH - Made in Scotland - Warrented Hand Forged - SPECIAL (L) with the MITRE BRAND" cleek mark. This circa 1930 club has a handsome construction and measures 35 inches to the heel. The straight hickory shaft sports a nice patina, and its original leather grip is in good condition. The club head is in good condition with mild leading edge dings and sports dot face stamping.

The second club, a circa 1905 JIGGER, is in very good overall condition sporting a solid, straight hickory shaft with an original patina. The club head sports a random sized dot-punched style on the face. The back is stamped with the following: "HAND FORGED IN SCOTLAND and M.J. BRADY - SPECIAL" in an oval. T.S.St.A plus REGISTERED TRADEMARK and a PIPE" cleek mark. (T.S.St.A stands for TOM STEWART-ST ANDREWS.) A JIGGER is a short-shafted club with low loft which was used in the same way as the modern chipper. The club has minimal dings and wear to the head. A high quality, low profile specialty club! A very nice example indeed!

The third club is a fine example of a circa 1900 crafted, low profile and low lofted driving iron or mashie. The leather grip has been professionally replaced, and the straight hickory shaft sports an original patina. The club measures 37 inches to the heel. There is deep nicking to the hosel and a slight wiggle where the shaft joins. The face has a ding by the toe end, perhaps the result of an honorable blow that caught both ball and stone many years ago. The back is stamped with the following: "SCCMCoy LTD - ED......." (? Edinburgh).

A nice trio of Scottish clubs!