Two rare red and white, unopened bottles of paint intended for golf balls and manufactured in 1898, realised £900 each, more than double the expected price at Mullock Madeley’s golfing memorabilia auction at Golfexpo 2000, NEC Birmingham, on 5th November.
“We knew we had a rare commodity – and it was great to see such tremendous interest,” commented auctioneer John Mullock, who acknowledged there was enormous interest in the whole catalogue. “It was particularly good to see some new faces at the International golf show. They were especially fascinated by the culture which has developed around the world of golf memorabilia.”
The top price of £6,800 went to a magnificent Harry Rountree (1880 -1950) watercolour of an elevated tee, golfers and seascape background. Pictures attracted positive bidding throughout the sale with a John Ball autographed Vanity Fair print cashed in at £600 and a similar lot signed by Horace Hutchinson, peaking at £540. An early 19th century watercolour of a landscape golfing scene achieved almost double the expected price at £250.
An early bronzed smooth gutty ball mould stamped by the renowned Musselburgh brothers, W. & J. Dunn, saw the gavel drop at £5,500 and an original Ping putter paced a strong drive with bids closing at £700.
Says John: “Clubs sold extremely well, we had a super crowd buying all the way. An unusual Patent beechwood torpedo style putter with hickory shaft sold for £650, while a 1940s ‘Calamity Jane’ putter made £210. Walking sticks generated a brisk trade too with a number exceeding £200.”