On Thursday, October 11th, PBA Galleries will be hosting a Rare Golf Books & Memorabilia Sale. This auction will include more than 225 lots of golfing history in literature and artifacts. Included are many volumes once in the library of the revered early 20th century Golf Course architect Albert W. Tillinghast which have been in private hands for more than half a century. Also on offer will be golf memorabilia from the esteemed collection of architect Michael Hurdzan.
Highlighted in this sale is the first edition of The Duffers’ Golf Club Papers, to which is added, A Day on the Ladies’ Links. This is a very rare book, only twice before offered at PBA Galleries. First at the Murdoch sale in 1998, a copy lacking the original wrappers, and a second copy, rebound with the wrappers preserved, was offered in 2011. The present copy is superior to either of the previous, in near fine original wrappers accompanied by a typed slip on Montrose Standard letterhead with the editor’s compliments. (Estimate $20,000 – $25,000).
A rare and fascinating Manchester Golf Club Measuring Device from around 1821 used to assist in determining position of tees. Rules of the club are printed on a label attached to the device (Rule 1: The need to tee up not farther than four club lengths from the hole – “The first knot on the cord represents four club lengths.”), the ‘Stymie’ (Rule 5: When the balls lie within six inches of each other – Balls may be removed if within six inches of each other. “This measure is six inches in length.”), and position of putting greens (Rule 9: All loose impediments may be removed within six club lengths of the hole “The extreme length of the cord represents six club lengths.”). This is one of only two known examples, the other being at the Manchester Golf Club. (Estimate $7,000 – $10,000).
Additional highlights from the sale are a stoneware fluted stein with relief illustration of golfers by Doulton Lambeth (Estimate $500 – $800); a signed color print of the Margaret Fitzhugh Browne portrait of Bobby Jones signed by the famed golfer and dated December 29, 1930 (Estimate $2,000 – $3,000); an early 1900s Croquet-Styled Putter from the Jeff Ellis collection, is pictured in Mr. Ellis’ book The Club Maker’s Art on page 210. (Estimate $800 – $1,200); and 56 Corte-Scope Golf Stereoviews from the “Jock” Hutchison Series, a rare series of instructional views featuring the Scottish-American professional golfer with the original manila envelope, folding viewer and two-part box (Estimate $1,000 – $1,500).
The sale will begin at 5:00 pm Eastern Time-2:00 pm Pacific Time at the Renaissance World of Golf Village in St. Augustine, Florida, the venue of the 47th Annual Golf Heritage Society’s Annual Meeting and Trade Show. The public may preview the auction Thursday, October 11th, 12:00pm – 5:00 pm Eastern Time in the Legacy 2 Ballroom at the Golf Village. For more information contact the galleries at 415.989.2665 or [email protected]