2024 May Golf Memorabilia Auction - Closing Date - 5/20/24
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/20/2024
John Gourlay Made Musselburgh Gutta Percha Ball
Work of the master golf ball maker John Gourlay is presented in this lot for the first time by a family descendant after its preservation and passing from generation to generation for nearly 175 years. In the early 1840's, the Gourlays picked up and moved from their deep-rooted Bruntsfield to Musselburgh. It was in part due to the already local and equally revered McEwan club making family in which they were married into. The Gourlays set up shop in the new city that is stamped proudly in uppercase lettering across the equator of the ball before you. The brotherly golf ball tandem of William and John Gourlay, known as 'Wm & J', would continue until 1844 when William passed away to leave John as the heir to the golf ball manufacturing throne - and only ballmaker in the Gourlay family. The gutty golf ball would replace the feathery as the preferred ball only a few years into John's solo golf ball production venture. This exact gutta percha ball's photo was featured in the 1969 PGA Magazine, with the below caption "...made by Gourlay in the 19th century. (This) ball (was) exhibited at the First International Exposition' in 1851 and (was) awarded a medal." Much of this ball's original white paint is intact including eight of the Musselburgh letters missing only 'MU' and 'H' on one pole, with 'Burgh' legible on the other. Tell the Gourlay family story through this ball directly from them, the premier ball makers during this early and highly significant transitional time. This ball came from a current living Gourlay/Dunn descendant who advised this ball was in the family for well over a century originating from John Gourlay himself.
The Golf Auction is proud to present our 2024 May Golf Memorabilia Auction, it is nine (9) day Auction that ends on Sunday. Please utilize the categories column to help you navigate towards your preferred collectibles. Bids must be placed before 10pm ET, Sunday, May 19th in order to participate in extended bidding. Bid Now!
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