Irish Golf Memorabilia Auction Review - 2004

A relatively slow year for Irish golf memorabilia but high prices being paid for the rarer items that did appear at auction.

Books

A 1904 first edition of Ladies Golf by May Hezlet sold for EUR575 (Lyon and Turnbull). J.P. Murray's 1952 edition of Golfing in Ireland sold for EUR280 (Oldgolfauctions) while the 1953 edition by Martin E Coffey was withdrawn at EUR105 at the same auction.
The Killarney golf club official handbook circa 1946 26pgs made EUR75 at auction.

Programmes

 A 1951 Open Championship programme: venue Royal Portrush in excellent condition sold for EUR1,600. A 1946 British Amateur Championship programme sold for EUR200 (Lyon and Turnbull). A William Clarke & Son cigarette card from the 1900 Sporting terms series sold for EUR30. These cards are extremely rare and such are theie value that this one was in a very poor condition.

Golf Curios

An Irish gold golf medal from the Malahide Golf Club presented to Fr. Jim Thompson 21.06.89 sold for EUR70. A 1" golf marker (coin) from the 1951 Open Championship in Royal Portrush sold for EUR39. A 1960 Canada Cup golf ticket sold for EUR35. A sterling silver cigarette case hallmarked Birmingham 1931,Weight is
178.8 grams.On the front are initials WN.A very heavy case as cigarette cases go. The shadows on the photo are not on the case itself only on the photo Inscription on the inside reads: Presented to Mr Wm Nolan by the North of Ireland Golf Professionals & Assistants on the occasion of his breaking the record of the OLD COURSE AT ST ANDREWS DURING THE OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP HELD JULY 1933. William Nolan was born Bray Co. Wicklow sold for EUR***. 9 CARAT GOLD MEDAL Hallmarked DUBLIN Weight is 31.9 grams and measures 1.75 inches or 4.5 centimeters On the front are the words: DUNLAOGHAIRE (KINGSTOWN) GOLF CLUB AND ON THE BACK: IRISH PROFESSIONAL GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP JULY 1934 WON BY W. NOLAN This medal was won by William Nolan The medal comes in its own box (original box) from Weir & Sons (Dublin) Ltd, 96 Grafton Street, Dublin.

Photographs

Six photographs (est. 1895) of the Newcastle Royal County Down links sold for EUR290 (Lyon and Turnbull).

Magazines

Art/Posters

The Michael Brown print of Royal County Down commission by the Life Association of Scotland circa 1913 was sold for EUR330 (Oldgolfauctions)

Golf Clubs and Balls

A number of Irish made golf clubs appeared at auction but didn't exceed EUR10-15 they were John McCourt (Limerick); E. Barlow (Knock GC 1908-1911). A Victory hickory shafted wood from the Athletic Stores in Belfast sold for EUR40.

Postcards

A postcard from Portrush showing golfers playing the 12th green circa. 1902/1903 sold for EUR75.