A rare David Marshall feather golf ball (c.1830) which is estimated at £20,000-25,000 will be the star of the Golfing Memorabilia sale at Phillips Chester on Monday, 16th July 2001.
Described by Phillips Auctioneers’ golfing specialist Colin Palmer as one of the rarest golf balls in the world, this fine example is the first of its type to be seen on the market for several years. “As only a handful of these balls are known to exist, they tend to cause quite a stir when they come onto the market. Phillips last sold one in the mid 1990’s for more than £20,000, and so we certainly expect this one to do well.”
Other unusual items are four long lost watercolours by the well known golfing artist and journalist from the 1880’s, Major Francis Powell Hopkins (1830-1913), who was better known by his pseudonym, ‘Shortspoon’.
Colin Palmer discovered the untitled watercolours, which depict golfers on the course, during the disposal of estate contents, immediately recognising them as unrecorded examples of Shortspoon’s work. Estimates on the watercolours range from £3,000 – 6,000.
Other sale highlights include an early Blacksmith-made approaching iron, circa 1800, estimated at £12,000 – 15,000; a rare Henry’s ‘Centro’ iron with unusual smooth face head (£2,200 – 2,800); a Copeland 3-handled Loving Cup decorated with golfers (£2,200 – 2,500) and a copy of ‘Banff Golf Club Bazaar’ by John Peter Grant, 1885 (£1,500 – 1,800).
There are over 500 lots in the Golfing Memorabilia sale which will take place on Monday 16th July at Phillips Chester, New House, 150 Christleton Road, Chester, Cheshire, CH3 5TD starting at 11am.
Viewing is Friday 13th July from 10.00 am to 4.00 pm, Saturday 14th July from 9.00 am to 2.00 pm and from 9.00 am on the morning of the sale.
Phillips www.phillips-auctions.com Tel: 01244 313936