2020 June Auction Highlighted by Caddies For A Cause Benefit
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/21/2020
1784 Links of Leith Membership Diploma by Company of Golfers Edinburgh Penned by James Balfour
From a historical time period lets compare this document to other well known works - it is 79 years older then the Gettysburg Address (1863) and it is 8 years the junior to the Declaration of Independence (1776). Similar to these two monumental documents in its own genre, being the golf world, this certificate of membership in the Links Leith as conveyed by the Company of Golfers Edinburgh belongs in a housing of acclaim similar to the Library of Congress and National Archives where the other two noted historical documents reside. The public links at Leith in the Edinburgh suburbs had been The Honorable Company’s first home in 1744, a home they shared with many. Besides being used by a growing number of golfers, it was also a place used for archery practice and as a military drill ground. Cattle grazed here and horse drawn carriages regularly rumbled across the fairways. The members played on the links at Leith over a five holes course, the oldest of the areas growing golfing societies. Not for nothing was the club uniform a bright red tailcoat. A red coat was not only a badge of membership, it was also the practical equivalent of a hunter's red cap. The club document offered here includes mention of two notable Scotsmen of the day. One being James Balfour who was a noted Scottish advocate and philosopher. In 1777 while Balfour was serving as Secretary for The Honorable Company of Golfers of Edinburgh he was involved in the establishment of the original rules of golf. Under his quill pen signature as secretary the offered membership is conveyed to Doctor Andrew Duncan. Respected for his work in medicine. Duncan was President of the Royal Medical Society and held positions as the First Physician to the King in Scotland while having held the same office to the Prince of Wales. The 11" x 14" document deluxe framed to measure 19" x 22 1/2" displays compacting folds and a few light creases. Looking much like it did when it was proudly presented 236 years ago. A stunning and historically significant item to behold, with seldom found eighteenth-century golf content.
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