2021 April Golf Memorabilia Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/12/2021
Bobby Jones Signed Golf Club - Originating from His Personal Merion Police Escort
Often behind a great item, a great story follows closely. The great item in this lot is likely evident merely on the title and pictures of it alone, having a general idea his signature scarcity on this medium and Bobby Jones' place in the game of golf. The great story starts just outside Philadelphia in the Northeast city of Haverford, Pennsylvania. Years before inside and "outside the ropes" were prominent, Merion Golf Club and others like it would utilize the local police departments as guards to ensure order at the larger golf tournaments that would host droves of spectators hoping to catch glimpses of their favorite golfers and possibly witness history. Tom Johnston's father, a policeman from Philadelphia, made the 45 minute trip to protect the golfers from the often exuberant fans. His specific job, as a long-term and proven guard, was the assignment of Bobby Jones. Everywhere Jones went around Merion Golf Club, Johnston followed.
Becoming a fan and friend of Bobby Jones was easy for Johnston, with their extensive time together over years of service. In fact Johnston would even travel down to Augusta to watch Jones play once the Masters Tournament, Augusta Invitational Tournament as it was known then, was established. In appreciation of both Johnston's work and friendship Bobby Jones would sign a ball, Jones' plus fours and this golf club for Tom Johnston's father. A club used for play only at that time, similar to the plus fours and golf ball for that matter, was not a common medium for Bobby Jones to sign. This is all too evident in 2021, with this example of a Bobby Jones signed golf club being only the second that we have seen come up for auction. This one remains visually attractive with the rich, creamy-toned hue of the wood enhancing the dark ink signature, giving the club face the look and feel of importance it deserves.
Augusta National founder and Golfing luminary Bobby Jones applied his name on this golf club with a steel-tip Fountain Pen on the light colored vertical stripe across the crown. "Merion" is written below his signature by Johnston marking the location of the acquisition and final leg of his "Impregnable Quadrilateral," the 1930 US Amateur. The documentation and provenance trail since it left son Tom Johnston's hands in 1994 until now comes with the lot and can be found in the final photo. Along with this is a FULL letter of authenticity from James Spence Authentication #Z84448. In length 42 1/2". For the advanced collector (or savvy investor) who wants a guaranteed future "home run" in their portfolio.
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