449 $
Description
Here is a very rare, Spalding–T. Stewart – Henry Cotton bent neck hickory shafted putter, circa 1935. This is the only putter that I have ever seen like this. This putter was made at the Stewart shop right after Spalding purchased the Stewart Company. To have all three marking on this club is very uncommon. The club has a scored line face pattern and a very nice bend in the neck. The marking on the head are clear and visible. Its condition is very good. The club was cleaned and the head was carefully hand-polished to remove the oxidation and years of neglect. Tom Stewart St Andrews Thomas Stewart, born in St Andrews in 1862, made irons with his own name on them and, indeed, for most of the top makers and players of his time (Auchterlonie, Robert T Jones, Harry Vardon etc.) Stewart was one of the most respected club makers in Scotland and his early irons were used by Old Tom Morris himself. He served an apprenticeship with Robert White and started in business on his own in the mid-1890s in Market Street, St Andrews, but also took over premises in The Pends where Robert White had his business. For quite some time irons were forged in The Pends then taken across to Market Street for finishing. St Andrews is not huge but that could not continue as the business expanded so he took premises in Greyfriars Gardens before moving to the address in Argyle Street where the business remained until his death and beyond. His own maker's mark was a clay pipe (for the sound business reason that his brother, an engineer in Dundee, smoked such a pipe) but you will also see a stylised spider-like star on heads which he himself rejected on grounds of quality but sold on to other makers. In 1905 he registered the pipe mark as a trademark and post-1905 clubs contain this trademark information below the pipe. In addition to his clubs his patented iron hole liners and cups were used on the Old Course at St Andrews. He retired around 1930, his business carried on by his sons, Thomas, John and Malcolm and he died in 1931. His obituary in the Dundee evening paper claims he was the first man to make a matched set of clubs. My understanding has always been that honor went to George Nicoll of Leven with the Indicator series in 1926 but I will check it out. Sir Henry Cotton, in full Sir Thomas Henry Cotton (born January 26, 1907, Holmes Chapel, Cheshire, England—died December 22, 1987, London), preeminent British golfer in the decades following World War I. Cotton was encouraged by his father to play golf, and, after being coached by John Henry Taylor, he became a full-time professional golfer in 1926. His first win of the Open Championship (British Open) in 1934 ended a decade of American victories in that major tournament. He won the tournament again in 1937 and 1948. He also won 11 European Open championships, and he represented Great Britain in Ryder Cup competition four times. Conspicuously ambitious and intelligent, Cotton was a compelling personality who contributed enormously to elevating the status of the professional golfer in Great Britain. After his retirement he taught and wrote numerous books and articles on golf, including Studying the Golf Game (1964), A History of Golf(1973), and Thanks for the Game (1980). He was awarded a knighthood posthumously. The head measures a lengthy 4 inches and the club face in 1 inch deep. The club is approximately 34.5 inches long. The shaft is square in design and appears to be the original hickory shaft and I have had this checked out by a couple of reputable golf collectors. The grip maybe a early replacement in fair condition with normal wear and tear, see pics, I am not sure. The head is tight to the hosel with no movement when twisted, there are no cracks that are visible. This club would make a great playable or a great addition to anyone’s Spalding – Stewart – Henry Cotton Collection. Thanks and check out our other Vintage golf collectibles that are for sale on eBay Please Note: WE DO OUR VERY BEST TO DESCRIBE THE ITEMS WE LIST HONESTLY AND TAKE PRIDE IN BEING REPUTABLE TRUSTWORTHY SELLERS. YOUR SATISFACTION IS VERY IMPORTANT TO US. PLEASE CONTACT WITH ANY QUESTIONS. Most orders will be shipped within 5-10 business days from receiving your payment unless otherwise noted, can ship order SOONER if requested. Shipping rates apply ONLY to the USA lower 48 states. I can combine shipping on most transactions. Please wait for us to send you a combined invoice before paying. We cannot combine shipping if you pay for your items separately or on different dates. Shipping Methods: Domestic Shipping: Throughout the United States, I primarily use United States Postal Service (USPS Priority), I will price USPS ground if requested. 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