2020 May Memorabilia Auction Featuring Ken Venturi Collection
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/24/2020
1929 Ryder Cup American & British Teams Signed Menu Including Samuel Ryder - Rare
A Ryder Cup autograph collectors dream with the appearance of founding father Samuel Ryder's autograph on a match related item. The 1929 event marked only one of two matches (1933) he would attend prior to passing away in 1936. The prized Ryder autograph appears on some documents relating to his family seed company business, but to find it on a Ryder Cup piece is quite scarce. This also marked Samuel Ryder's favorite match of his life as he was able to present to his home squad the victors cup (produced by London Silver House Mappin & Webb for nearly 300 Pounds) bearing his name as accepted by British team captain George Duncan following that teams 7-5 triumph. The offered Ryder Cup menu bearing Ryder's penning also comprises the complete 10 player winning Britain squad and 9 of the 10 American contestants (Al Watrous did not sign) (Of note both captains signatures George Duncan and Walter Hagen appear, and they competed as well in this match). With the playing captains giving each side 10 players for the 1929 Ryder Cup not the standard 12 we are accustomed to today. Listed as they are signed in clear 9 or 10 strength fountain pen autographs that appear in two columns, top to bottom on page with team designation added the following are: C.A. Whitcombe (B), Percy Allis (B), Walter Hagen (A), Al Espinoza (A), John Golden (A), Abe Mitchell (B), Leo Diegel (A), Horton Smith (A), Gene Sarazen (A), Fred Robson (B), Ed Dudley (A), George Duncan (B), Archie Compston (A), Stewart Burns (B), Joe Turnesa (A), Audrey Boomer (B), E.L. Whitcombe (B), Johnny Farrell (A),Henry Cotton (B). Four other autographs appear on the front cover including Robert E. Harlow American team manager, Jack Taylor prominent British golfer of the time (no relation to J.H. Taylor, but hailing from the same town) and two other noted attendees. The inside front cover contains a second autograph of Audrey Boomer. Lets dig deeper, and take a look at two signatures which appear on this tremendous collectable, flying under the radar so to speak. First we have the valuable signature of Hall of Famer Leo Diegel. He was elected to the Hall in 2003 some 52 years after his passing in 1951. Diegel was selected for each of the first four Ryder Cup teams in the same time frame he was able to capture back-to-back PGA Championships in 1928,29. Adding to the scarcity of this signature was a car accident Diegel had in 1938, while he was in his 30's, that ended his Tour career and many signing opportunities. Of note also when it comes to scarce golf autographs is the autograph of Johnny Golden who played in each of the first two United States Ryder Cups matches teaming with Hagen for foursome wins in both and adding a singles win in 1927 for a perfect 3-0-0 career mark. Golden, however, passed away at only 39 of pneumonia in 1936. The first of the early Ryder Cup Match participants to decease, a seldom seen signature in any format. In any condition this '29 Ryder Cup menu (from the famed Frascati restaurant in London, which was tragically destroyed by bombing in World War II never to reopen) is a valued addition to any collection , but this one presents in excellent to near mint condition with only a slight right corner flaw. It ascends to its own stratosphere of collectable hierarchy with the presence Of Ryder Cup founding father Samuel Ryder's scarce signature that pairs with the treasured team autographs it retains. Best of the best in a Ryder Cup item. James Spence Authentication (JSA) has reviewed the Samuel Ryder autograph and each of these other participants signatures with their letter of authenticity accompanying this lot.
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