1940 Typed Letter on Dalhousie GC Letterhead Requesting Lowered Rent 11/8

1940 Typed Letter on Dalhousie GC Letterhead Requesting Lowered Rent 11/8

Robert Simpson (1862-1923) was one of the greatest clubmakers of all time, a well-practiced creative genius from a period of golf's formative years in Scotland. One of six brothers, Robert landed an apprenticeship with clubmaker George Forrester at the young age of 16 in 1868. From one legendary clubmaker to another, Simpson would work under Robert Forgan next - his final position prior to changing scenery. The well-liked, kind man with a revered work ethic had built his personal brand in the golfing community, with word traveling as quickly as it could in that day and age, not just in Scotland but around the World. Robert Simpson moved to Carnoustie in 1883 where he was the easy choice as head professional at Dalhousie Golf Club - a course Old Tom Morris himself updated in 1872. The golf club knew about his club making pedigree and abilities and encouraged him to keep up with his craft while in his new role. Simpson would be joined by brothers Jack and Archie in Carnoustie, both more than formidable golfers in their own right. Robert's older brother Jack Stewart Simpson would become The Open Champion in 1884, with Archibald (Archie) a two-time runner-up at The Open the following year in 1885 and again in 1890. Robert Simpson, an excellent player in his own right, moved from Head Pro at Dalhousie to Carnoustie Golf Links in 1891, where he was until 1898. The Robert Simpson Golf Club and Ball Maker shop had already opened its doors in 1884, where Robert employed his trade garnered from Forrester and Forgan. Simpson himself would personally inspect each club that left his shop with his name and maker's stamp on the head, ensuring only the finest clubs of his were used for play. Robert Simpson's clubs would notably be used by Freddie G. Tail to win the 1896 and 1898 Amateur Championships, with Tait giving his testimonial to Simpson's work in the early catalogs.

Using the lay of the land and his vast experience of the game, Robert Simpson's final endeavor would be that of golf course design. Partnering with friend “Old” Tom Morris around 1890, the team re-designed Carnoustie Golf links. In addition, Simpson successfully completed solo projects as a course architect including: Royal Aberdeen, Ferntowner (Crief), Edzell, Moffat, Oban, Linlithgow, Alyth and Blair Atholll. Simpson built a legacy that will live on as long as the rich history of golf does.

The Simpson family's golf impact casted a large net, clubmakers, teachers, and course designers in addition to champion professional golfers. Many of Simpson’s interns left Scotland for America, Australia and other parts of the world. Notably of that group was Allan Maiden who went to Australia and brother Stewart Maiden who went to America and became professional at East Lake Golf Club. He in turn mentored the great Bobby Jones.

The Golf Auction is proud to offer The Robert Simpson Collection in our October Exclusive Auction from preeminent expert on Robert Simpson and the author of leading title “Robert Simpson: Carnoustie,” Jack L. Mishler. The carefully curated collection includes clubs, Patents, business documents, and an incredible circa 1872 Old and Young Tom Morris cabinet card portrait along with many more exciting artifacts from Robert Simpson's life. This collection was preserved and kept intact by the club making family for nearly a century prior to Mishler's acquisition, some directly from the family and some from vendors, over a period of time and much of it by way of Robert Simpson's grandson, Trevor Williamson. Please enjoy this rare opportunity, a time capsule of Robert Simpson's life and work.

The Golf Auction proudly presents this unique opportunity to acquire golfing antiquities from the influential clubmaker and his family. Please utilize the categories column to help navigate you towards your preferred collectibles

AUCTION CLOSING RULES:

Place your bids now as this auction will close LOT BY LOT beginning at 10:00pm EDT Sunday, October 23rd. When placing your INITIAL bid in the auction, you must agree to the terms BEFORE confirming your bid. All items with multiple bidders in the auction will be eligible for the extended bidding period. Each lot will have its OWN COUNTDOWN CLOCK set for a 30-minute interval, and the clock will extend 30-minutes from the time of the most recently placed bid for that lot. If no bids are placed on that lot during a 30-minute period, the lot will close. Place your bids now!

1. You must place your initial bids BEFORE extended bidding begins to bid on the item in extended bidding
2. During extended bidding, you are allowed to bid only on items you PREVIOUSLY placed a bid on.
3. All lots with only ONE or NO BIDS will automatically close at 10pm EDT
4. All available lots will begin closing on a LOT BY LOT basis at 10pm EDT

Extended bidding starts at 10pm EDT, and each lot will begin closing with its own 30-minute countdown timer. Lots without a bid during extended bidding will close at 10:30pm ET. We recommend you place your maximum bid(s) prior to that time. Thank you

Please Note: A 19.5% Buyer's Premium will be applied to each item won in auction. If you pay in full with cash, check, or money order the buyer’s premium is discounted by 2.5% to 17%. All sales are final