2015 August Exclusive Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/2/2015
Tom Morris Sr. and Tom Morris Jr. Original St. Andrews Cabinet Card
The details of this incredible cabinet card as produced by its noted Victorian era photographer Thomas Rodgers of Saint Andrews, Scotland leads to a dating of production in the 1880's (as confirmed by independent expert dealers in cabinet cards) the image appearing on square, heavy card stock with gold borders surrounding the image of Tom Morris Senior and Junior which was captured circa 1870's. This photograph is of impeccable quality, projecting exceptional clarity and contrast. Verso displays the appropriate time period markings of the Rodgers Studio along with remnants of a previous mounting in the scrapbook acquired directly from the family of Robert Simpson from Carnoustie by our consignor. It stands to reason that this cabinet card wound up in the Simpson families archives through a gift of Old Tom Morris who was a friend to Robert Simpson while they worked together on the re-design of the Carnoustie links. Also dating this cabinet card is the large, ornate text which appears in cursive style for the photographers name T Rodgers.
The height of popularity of cabinet cards was from the 1870-1890's with the studios conceiving of themselves as image production facilities, and photography simply the commonest and least expensive option for an individual seeking a likeness. Per the traditional norm of cabinet cards from this time period it measures in at 4 1/4" x 6 1/2". Of extreme historical significance to the golf collecting world this cabinet depicting the Morris' comes to market as the second to reach public auction (it stands as the first to display its verso side, with the other example presented in matted and framed fashion, this is significant in conversations with noted experts in cabinet cards who ascertain this to be an earlier release from the Rodgers studio). Here's truly a magnificent cabinet photo, taken by one of the top photographers of the era (as Rodgers advertised on backs of his later images "Patronized by Royalty"), featuring the two most noted individuals in the Scots game of Golf in Old and Young Tom Morris.
Please note: This auction will end at 7:00pm EST on August 2nd with extended bidding to follow. All items in the auction will remain open until no items have received a bid within a 15 minute time period. All lots are free to be bid on until extended bidding has ended
Click above for larger image.