2017 February-March Memorabilia Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/12/2017
'The Badminton Library' 1890 First Edition Golf Book by Horace G. Hutchinson
Offered here is a 1890 publication 'The Badminton Library of Sports and Pastimes,' edited by His Grace The Duke of Beaufort, K.G. Assisted by Alfred E.T. Watson. 'Golf' by Horace G. Hutchinson. London, Longmans, Green, and Co. 1890. The Badminton Library of Sports and Pastimes was put together as a series of sporting books aiming to give a comprehensive review of all major sports and pastimes during the tail end of the 19th century. It was developed as a sporting and publishing project by Henry Somerset, the 8th Duke of Beaufort (1824-1899). Bidders will be most interested in Volume 13: Golf, written by Horace Hutchinson, with a chapter on 'The Humours of Golf' by future prime minister Arthur James Balfour and with contributions from Lord Wellwood, Andrew Lang, Sir Walter Simpson, H. S. C. Everard and others, illustrated by Harry Furniss and Thomas Hodge. Hutchinson was a prominent figure in the game of golf in the late 19th and early 20th century, later focusing more on writing about the sport. The book remains in good condition, showing some signs of wear on the spine and hardback cover.
**THE ESTATE OF HELEN AND ROBERT SOMMERS COLLECTION (U.S.G.A OFFICIAL)**
Robert Sommers served in the U.S. Coast Guard during the final stages of World War II, from 1944 to 1946. He returned to spend four years at the University of Maryland, then caught on as a sportswriter for the Baltimore Evening Sun, where he remained for 12 years. In 1962, he switched to the now-defunct Washington Star, and in the winter of 1965-66, he joined the United States Golf Association as managing editor of Golf Journal and public information manager. That was the start of a 26 year career with the U.S.G.A with numerous notable accomplishments including the 1987 publication of his book "The U.S. Open: Golf's Ultimate Challenge", which is also the ultimate source for information about golf's premier championship. With the success of this work, Sommers followed up with a second edition in 1996. Both of these writings are dedicated to wife Helen as Sommers wrote, "who saw me trough this one". Helen Sommers was a librarian by trade who would be invaluable to the maintenance of Robert's golf book and memorabilia collections over the years. A collection which was acquired in both the United States and Europe, with Sommers' first visit to Scotland for the 1979 Walker Cup match at Muirfield. From that assignment he quickly maintained his reputation as the U.S.G.A.'s "foreign correspondent for overseas golf events". All that time assembling the wonderful golf collection which The Golf Auction is privileged to offer here to the collecting world.
Please note: This auction will end at 7:00pm EST on Sunday, March 12th 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
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