Final Manuscript of 'The Walter Hagen Story' w/Art & Correspondence - One of a Kind
Video Showing Overview of Manuscript
This recent golf literature discovery came to us by way of a prominent jeweler from the northeast region of the United States, bringing to light the final working manuscript draft of 'The Walter Hagen Story.' "I'll just send you the typewriter box, it looks like the real deal." The real deal it was indeed. In an unassuming typewriter paper box presented in this offering is the original, expansive 480 page final manuscript, publisher correspondence and for the golf literary classic 'The Walter Hagen Story.' Up and down the outside margin are handwritten editorial notes starting right at the beginning of the book, the acknowledgements and chapter I through its conclusion. "Original The Walter Hagen Story" is written on the first makeshift cover, a single piece of paper on top of the highly significant and scrutinized final manuscript type itself. That copy is paired here with the never before seen book correspondence of the aforementioned typewriter box labeled 'Revised first copy of The Walter Hagen Story Published May 28, 1956.' Some of what is included is as follows:
-Aug 21, 1956 Letter from Hagen to Grand Hotel regarding book shipment
-May 28, 1956 Letter from The Country Club of Rochester to Hagen in regards to Hagen being at the PGA award & Hill of Fame ceremony
-June 26, 1956 Letter from Martin H. Donahoe to Hagen regarding his 1926 exhibition with Jock Hutchinson and Hagen's bet that he could break 80 with just a cleek - and did (76)
-May 23, 1956 Letter from Hagen to Donahoe hoping to promote his book at the 1956 US Open "Perhaps I can manage to get my face into a few of those (Kodak) pictures and help push the sale of my book..."
-July 16, 1956 Letter to Hagen requesting signed book to Bob Hope's associate Fred Miron. It was mentioned that Hope was interested in the book for a "picture" - likely in reference to a movie.
-June 28, 1956 Letter to Hagen from fan reminiscing of Hagen's public appearances such as those with a 20 yr old Johnny Farrell, Gene Sarazen, Bobby Jones and others.
-May 9, 1956 Letter from Hagen Book Manager to Battle Creek CC pro Ron La Parl with content including first edition copy count (30,000) and Hagen's autograph policies
-September 25, 1956 Letter from Woodhill CC to Hagen for Dayton Dept. Store book order
-May 25, 1954 Letter from Publisher Exposition Press proponent Harry Shefler to Hagen's book assistant Margaret Seaton including "Since you are having (apparently) no luck finding a publisher - I wonder if you'd be good enough to return to me the manuscript you are NOT NOW working on." (We can't imagine anyone talking that way to Walter Hagen or his assistant - but here's proof of it).
-March 26, 1956 Letter to Hagen from Bus Spencer of The San Francisco News asking if he would be at the Tournament of Champions and book request
-October 11. 1956 Letter Seaton asking for her bio for a Detroit publicity piece
-May 25 1941 Western Union Telegram Collier's request to Walter Hagen for the "first look at your autobiography?"
- October 18, 1956 Milton Demaret request to Hagen for two signed books
- March 9, 1955 Letter from Laurence S. Foster Secretary of Ham Manor Golf Club to Hagen reminiscing their late nights and good times with Joe Kirkwood in 1936
Many more letters to Walter Hagen, often pertaining to The Walter Hagen Story.
The Golf Auction is proud to present our first auction of the year, the 2024 January Golf Memorabilia Auction. Please utilize the categories column to help you navigate towards your preferred collectibles. Bids must be placed before 10pm ET, Sunday, February 4th in order to participate in extended bidding.
AUCTION CLOSING RULES:
1. Place your initial bids BEFORE 10pm ET Sunday February 4th in order to bid on the item(s) during extended bidding
2. During extended bidding, you may only bid on items you PREVIOUSLY placed a bid on.
3. Lots with only ONE or NO BIDS at the time of auction close will close at 10pm ET
Extended bidding starts at 10pm ET, and all lots will begin closing with their own 30-minute countdown clock. Clock will reset to 30 minutes with each bid, please refresh your page. Thank you
Please Note: TGA will charge the Bidder/Buyer of the Item(s) a commission (Buyer’s Premium) of nineteen and one-half percent (19.5%) on the successful and final bid price of each of the Item(s) or lot(s) won. No discounts apply. No returns. TGA is not responsible for customs, duties, brokerage and/or similar charges on items shipped internationally. Placement of a bid in this auction constitutes acceptance of all of the terms and conditions in this auction. ALL SALES ARE FINAL.