2018 November Golf Memorabilia Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/18/2018
Peter Thomson's 1965 Open Championship Winners Contestant Badge - Stunning 5th Win!
Peter Thomson's win at the 1965 Open contested at Royal Birkdale gave the Australian a stunning five championships, tops all-time in post World War I play. Only Harry Vardon, with six Birtish Open titles between 1896 and 1914, won more. Thomson's win came over a field of 130 rivals in '65. Each player in that select group received a similar white metal and blue enamel contestants badge to the one offered here. With that paltry number ever available along with many participants hesitancy to part with these items it is no wonder that a scarce number of these treasures have reached the collecting world of any player. Now for the real interesting part to the story. This contestants badge is purported to be from none other then Peter Thomson himself. It has been a prized part of an advanced golf collectors holdings for the last thirty years. This badge on its reverse has stamped P.W. THOMSON (AUS). Most interesting with the Royal & Ancient employing a similar badge design to this since 1963 on it's player badges, we have not known them to come numbered or contestant identified. Granted we do not come upon these very often from the 1960's time period. What we do know is that this badge is original in every way showing very nice wear while still bearing the original pin clasp, it comes from an impeccable collection, and is a treasure regardless of which player it was issued.
Please note: This auction will end at 5:00pm EST Sunday, November 18th, 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 (up to 9pm EST, then countdown clock will adjust to 5min time period). There is a buyer's premium of 17.5% for all items. All lots are free to be bid on until extended bidding has ended.
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