Auctions | May 6, 2021

Fine Golf Books at PBA Galleries on May 13

Courtesy of PBA Galleries

This 1928 book lists of all golf courses in Southern California. Estimate: $700-$1,000

Berkeley, CA – PBA Galleries announced an auction of Fine Golf Books & Memorabilia to be held on May 13th, 2021. The catalogue includes over 340 lots on the storied game of golf from its origins in Scotland to its current state across the fairways of the world. Lots include signed correspondence of presidents of the United States, rules for caddies, ephemera, photographs signed by the greats of the game, and much more.

Highlights include The Royal & Ancient Game of Golf by Harold H. Hilton and Garden G. Smith, published for Golf Illustrated (1912). Per Murdoch, "This is one of the most magnificent books in the entire library of golf, comprehensive in content, very handsome in appearance and attractively illustrated” ($2,000-$3,000). A limited first edition of A Game of Golf: A Book of Reminiscence by Francis Ouimet is signed by the author. Ouimet emerged as a "player of the highest rank" in the 1913 Open, and he had a tremendous influence on American golf throughout his brilliant career (Estimate: $2,000-$3,000).

Courtesy of PBA Galleries

Artifacts and ephemera are present throughout the sale. A McEwan long nose play club was produced by D. McEwan & Son in the mid-19th century. The club was likely produced by Douglas McEwan, who ran the family business until his death in 1886, this is an excellent example that exhibits the delicate, thin face and sweeping curves of the long nose ($1,500-$2,500). A typed letter signed by Warren G. Harding on White House stationery is addressed to O.S. Rapp of The Prendergast Company. President Harding thanks his hometown supporters who had established a golf club in his honor (Estimate: $2,000-$3,000).

Other standouts include Blackheath Golfing Lays by the Poet-Laureate of the Club by Thomas Marsh, printed for the Members of the Club (1873) and Joe Murdoch’s copy (Estimate: $5,000-$8,000). An 1897 copy of Golf on a New Principle. Iron Clubs Superseded. By an Old Golfer by L. Everage is the Murdoch copy with Murdoch’s bookplate, a nice history of the game, and a rare book (Estimate: $700-$1,000). Golf Courses of Los Angeles County is a rare guide to the many golf courses of Los Angeles County at the end of the 1920s, just prior to the Great Depression. The cover title reads: "The Golf Book of Los Angeles County - Location charts of 45 golf courses in L.A. County, 1928; also list of all golf courses in Southern California” (Estimate: $700-$1,000).

PBA continues to safeguard the health of employees and clients by remaining closed to the public. PBA will limit live auction participation to online or phone bidding. For more information about upcoming sales or to schedule a Zoom preview or phone bidding for a future auction, please contact the galleries at 415.989.2665 or pba@pbagalleries.com.