As normal the latest sale by Old Golf Auctions, which starts tomorrow, comprises over 550 items and they cover all the key collecting categories: clubs, balls, books, programmes, other printed ephemera, porcelain and glass, artwork and so on.
This sale, however, also includes one on the most important pieces of golf ephemera ever sold; the unique document announcing the first ever singles golf championship.
• Lot 97. Unique! 1858 Grand National Golf Tournament announcement document – extremely rare and important piece of golfing history.
This is believed to be first ever singles championship notification document. The tournament was held over the Old Course at St. Andrews. Mr. Robert Chambers was victorious; the event was only open to Amateur golfers.
This fold-over document announces to any and all challengers, the date and site of the 1858 National Tournament. The ‘Grand National Tournament‘ the first National Amateur championship and precursor to The Open Championship.
This tournament galvanized caddie/golfers to start their own event – this was Challenge Belt Competition or ‘The Open’ as it eventually became known. The 1858 tournament was one of three of the earliest tournaments, which in an indirect way all had some influence on affecting the thinking of Fairlie and his cohorts in starting the Challenge Belt Competition)
The announcement was offered by Hugh Lyon Playfair and John Whyte-Melville, as indicated at closing of the document. This four page document is in very good condition. Possibly the only one that will ever be sold in auction! as the others exist in golf museums or in private hands
To take part in the auction go to www.oldgolfauctions.com