This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/15/2024
Champ Horton, Bobby Jones Signed 1934 Masters Series Badge #1109 - Pinnacle of Golf Tickets
Collectors and investors advancing into the thinner air of the most significant sporting events or simply Masters tickets, and more specifically, ducats with the designation for full week's admittance to Augusta National known as a SERIES TICKET, must give this opportunity concerted attention. Champion Horton Smith and the brainchild of both The Masters Tournament and Augusta National incredibly have both signed this fine exemplar #1109 along with Walter Hagen and ten other contestants that first Masters! Passed through the hands of a single family from one generation to the next, this industry-changing piece now comes directly to auction with great anticipation of commanding a large number.
It has long been recognized by the devoted collectors of Masters tickets that there is a real scarcity of 1934 daily entrances that remain, 90 years after the fact, be they for any day of the event. Now lets go one step forward to a real stratospheric level of scarcity -- ONLY THREE FULLY INTACT 1934 MASTERS SERIES TICKETS HAVE BEEN FOUND, a holy grail so to speak, sought by many for decades but only a dream until this find. There is an additional unsigned example known in the industry that does not have a backside (nor remnants of one) or its original string - different than the other three. ONLY TWO of those are signed by Horton Smith and Bobby Jones - the other selling for a reported $600k as the most expensive sports ticket ever, as evident by a cursory internet search revealed. Placing the two side by side, digital images will indicate that the signatures on this example are superior, with Horton Smith even appearing on the frontside as opposed to back, but you can be the judge of the former. In fact, there are a lucky thirteen (13) signatures on this ticket, utilizing the front and backside. This example deserves to be placed in a major collection run of Masters badges, champion signed exemplars and or SERIES, so it can shine among its peers for years to come. The answer to many collectors prayers, a resounding " Yes There Is A 1934 Masters Series Ticket!"
Vibrant red print and its original navy blue string are found on this 1934 'Augusta National Invitation Tournament' is centered on this heavy paper ticket, as it was officially known as until 1938. 'March 22,23,24,25, 1934 are listed out just above 'Including four days of preliminary events' which included Wednesday '2 Ball Foursomes' and the Thursday-Saturday morning respective 'Approach & Putt Contest', 'Iron Contest', and 'Driving Contest' - all before the tournament play started in the afternoon. The verso interestingly reads "America leads the world today in the manufacture of fine golf products. The best golf balls are 75 cents each ($17.43 in 2024). Your professional sells them. His instruction and leadership are of great importance in making golf a more enjoyable game to play. Patronize him for instructions and supplies." Strong, time-period ink, likely from that week, signatures are: Champion Horton Smith, Founder Bobby Jones, 11-time major champion Walter Hagen, runner-up Craig Wood, George Dunlop, ANGC first club professional Ed Dudley, longest living contestant Erie Ball, t-3 Billy Burke, 3-time major winner Denny Shute, Al Waltrous, John Perelli, John Golden and one other. It remains in good vintage condition after 90 years, with some creasing and very faint, expected surface wear as depicted in accompanying photos and mentioned only for accuracy purposes only. James Spence Authentication (JSA) has reviewed this signature and their FULL letter of authenticity #YY70291 comes with this lot.
Known examples:
Badge #1999 - Owned by Augusta National Golf Club
Badge #1970 - Owned by Private Collector - Sold for $600k
Badge #1102 (No backside or original string)
Series ticket #1109 boasting unimprovable quality red print coloring will most certainly leave a lasting impression on the hobby, a new find that has never been seen by the public eye until this offering. Bobby Jones, The Masters Tournament and its first champion Horton Smith are forever etched into not just golf, but sports history with the '1934 Augusta National Invitation Tournament.'
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