Antique Royal Lytham & St Annes Professional Golfers Photograph
Antique Royal Lytham & St Annes Professional Golfers Photograph
32175
Antique Golf Photograph, Old Tom Morris and Leading Professionals, Lytham St. Annes, 1890.
A fine and historically important large-format photographic portrait of ten celebrated 19th-century professional golfers, taken at Lytham St. Annes on 8th November 1890, on the occasion of the club's first professional golf tournament.
This remarkable group photograph brings together some of the greatest names from the early history of professional golf, including Old Tom Morris, Willie Park Junior, Willie Fernie, Andrew and Hugh Kirkcaldy, and Alexander Herd.
The photograph is presented on its original cream-coloured card mount, beautifully finished with a fine gold border and an elegant, hand-written inscription reading Lytham St. Annes in delicate red ink. The lettering, with its decorative flourishes and underline, has the appearance of a professionally prepared photographic presentation mount of the late Victorian or Edwardian period.
Of particular interest is the hand-written date, November 8th 1890, appearing in brown ink at the bottom right-hand corner of the photograph itself. The photographic print and original mount have evidently remained together since their initial presentation, with the attractive, naturally mellowed colouring of the mount adding considerable character and period charm.
The photograph is a substantial example, measuring approximately 29.5 cm by 38 cm, with a fine, uniform satin surface and excellent detail. Its appearance, photographic characteristics and original presentation suggest an early print, possibly dating from the 1890s or early 1900s, although an exact printing date has not been established.
To the rear of the frame is a list of the golfers pictured, the ten professionals are identified from left to right as follows:
Back Row (Standing)
George Lowe, Carnoustie; Alexander Herd, St. Andrews; Jack Morris, Hoylake; Willie Campbell, St. Andrews; Hugh Kirkcaldy, St. Andrews.
Front Row (Seated)
Willie Park Junior, Musselburgh; Andrew Kirkcaldy, St. Andrews; Old Tom Morris, St. Andrews; Willie Fernie, Troon; Archie Simpson, Carnoustie.
The presence of Old Tom Morris is particularly noteworthy. One of the founding figures of professional golf and a four-time Open Champion, Morris was already 69 years of age when this photograph was taken. Seated prominently in the centre, with his unmistakable white beard and a golf club resting between his hands, he forms the focal point of this outstanding gathering.
Also featured is Willie Park Junior, twice an Open Champion and one of the leading golf course architects of his generation, alongside Willie Fernie, the tournament winner, and Alexander Herd, who would subsequently become Open Champion in 1902.
This is a particularly evocative image from the formative years of organised professional golf, recording a gathering of ten leading players at one of Britain's historic golfing venues.
The combination of the large-format photographic print, original gilt-lined presentation mount, delicate hand-written inscriptions and distinguished golfing subjects makes this a highly appealing piece of antique golfing memorabilia.
The Lytham St. Annes Professional Tournament, 1890.
The tournament took place on Saturday, 8th November 1890, with ten of the country's leading professional golfers invited to compete for a prize fund of £53, subscribed by members of the club.
Play commenced at 9.45 am, although two of the most distinguished competitors, Old Tom Morris and Willie Park Junior, had only just arrived. Having travelled overnight, the pair reached St. Annes railway station shortly before play was due to begin and proceeded almost directly to the first tee.
The eventual winner was Willie Fernie of Troon, the 1883 Open Champion, who completed the two rounds in 77 and 78 strokes for a winning aggregate of 155. His opening round of 77 equalled the existing course record held by George Lowe, another of the professionals featured in the photograph.
Housed in a substantial dark oak wooden frame with gilt inner slip, the photograph retains an attractive period appearance. Estimated printing period: Late Victorian or early Edwardian, possibly circa 1890-1915.
Dimensions:
1850-1899
possibly circa 1890-1915
Photograph
United Kingdom
The photograph retains excellent detail and an attractive, uniform satin finish. The original cream presentation mount displays natural age-related toning and discolouration, adding to its period character. The handsome dark wooden frame with gilt inner slip has been carefully restored, cleaned and re-papered to the reverse, while preserving its original appearance.
RELATED ITEMS
George Lowe, Carnoustie; Alexander Herd, St. Andrews; Jack Morris, Hoylake; Willie Campbell, St. Andrews; Hugh Kirkcaldy, St. Andrews.Front Row (Seated)Willie Park Junior, Musselburgh; Andrew Kirkcaldy, St. Andrews; Old Tom Morris, St. Andrews; Willie Fernie, Troon; Archie Simpson, Carnoustie.The presence of Old Tom Morris is particularly noteworthy. One of the founding figures of professional golf and a four-time Open Champion, Morris was already 69 years of age when this photograph was taken. Seated prominently in the centre, with his unmistakable white beard and a golf club resting between his hands, he forms the focal point of this outstanding gathering.Also featured is Willie Park Junior, twice an Open Champion and one of the leading golf course architects of his generation, alongside Willie Fernie, the tournament winner, and Alexander Herd, who would subsequently become Open Champion in 1902.This is a particularly evocative image from the formative years of organised professional golf, recording a gathering of ten leading players at one of Britain's historic golfing venues.The combination of the large-format photographic print, original gilt-lined presentation mount, delicate hand-written inscriptions and distinguished golfing subjects makes this a highly appealing piece of antique golfing memorabilia.The Lytham St. Annes Professional Tournament, 1890.The tournament took place on Saturday, 8th November 1890, with ten of the country's leading professional golfers invited to compete for a prize fund of £53, subscribed by members of the club.Play commenced at 9.45 am, although two of the most distinguished competitors, Old Tom Morris and Willie Park Junior, had only just arrived. Having travelled overnight, the pair reached St. Annes railway station shortly before play was due to begin and proceeded almost directly to the first tee.The eventual winner was Willie Fernie of Troon, the 1883 Open Champion, who completed the two rounds in 77 and 78 strokes for a winning aggregate of 155. His opening round of 77 equalled the existing course record held by George Lowe, another of the professionals featured in the photograph.Housed in a substantial dark oak wooden frame with gilt inner slip, the photograph retains an attractive period appearance. Estimated printing period: Late Victorian or early Edwardian, possibly circa 1890-1915.){kind=link}