American Treasures: Bobby Jones and Donald Ross

America’s love affair with golf was transformed by two great forces in the early 20^th century: Bobby Jones and golf course architecture.

Bobby Jones rose to stardom in 1916 when at fourteen years old he won the Georgia State Amateur Championship. He emerged from oblivion to become an immediate sensation; a young, good-looking, American prodigy. For the next 14 years he was golf’s media darling with accomplishments to match the hype surrounding him.

Jones’ charm and killer instinct on the golf course helped fuel a new generation of golf fans, some of whom still golf and collect memorabilia today. Those who collect Jones memorabilia are in luck: On Thursday, September 17^th, we are offering 9 lots of Bobby Jones typed letters, signed. Dating from 1945 to 1969, the letters are written to a variety of important people who helped shape golf: Cyril H. Tolley, Walter Hagen, golf reporter Charles Price, sportswriter Lincoln Werden, and LA Times reporter Jim Murray. For historians and fans alike, these letters provide a rich source of first-hand material written by the greatest golfer of all time, not to mention a lawyer, author, and co-founder of Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters Tournament.

Lot 132: Typed Letter, Signed from Bobby Jones to Charles Price

Simultaneous to Jones’ rise to stardom, Americans’ interest in playing golf expanded rapidly in the first half of the twentieth century, as seen by the sheer number of quality golf courses being built around the country. The talented group of golf course architects that were building American courses from 1910 – 1940, produced such immaculate and unique courses, that this period of time is called the “Golden Age” of golf architecture. Architects like Charles Blair Macdonald, William Stephen Flynn, A.W. Tillinghast, and Donald Ross, were building in American and abroad.

Those who collect books about golf course architecture are also in luck: The auction will feature many of the most collectible titles on the subject, including Aleck Bauer’s rare little 1913 book devoted to hazards. There are also hand-drawn maps of two southern golf courses, signed by golf course architect Donald Ross. Ross was Scottish born, but moved to the United States in 1899. He went on to have an illustrious career in golf course design across the states. All in all, Ross designed 413 courses, including Pinehurst, Oak Hill, Inverness, Seminole, and Interlachen. Sadly, many of his original designs have been re-done, so to obtain original plans for a Donald Ross course, is obtaining an irreplaceable piece of golf history.

Lot 169: Donald Ross signed golf course plan for Desoto Heights Golf Club

Bobby Jones letters, vintage golf clubs, and more this September 17th

On Thursday, September 17th, PBA Galleries will be hosting an auction in conjunction with the Golf Collectors' Society Annual Meeting & Trade Show. Preview begins at 12pm and the auction starts at 5pm Central Time in the Turquoise Room of Pheasant Run Resort located at 4051 East Main St. St. Charles, IL 60174.

Among the offerings are a superb selection of typed letters signed from Bobby Jones, dating from 1945 to 1969. Lot 130, offered with an estimate of $30,000 - $50,000 is comprised of three letters from Jones to LA Times Reporter Jim Murray, discussing the topic of Charles Sifford, a prominent African American golfer, and his omission from play at the Masters. This lot is of great historical significance regarding race and golf and the South, and provides insightful first hand material directly from the co-founder of the Masters Tournament. Plus, Bobby Jones' signatures continue to rise in value.

Lot 130: Bobby Jones Letters to Jim Murray

There are eight more lots of Bobby Jones letters, including letters to other legends of the game like Walter Hagen and Cyril Tolley. If this weren't enough to entice you to view the entire catalog of 192 select lots of golf books & memorabilia Online Catalog of Fine Golf Books & Memorabilia, Including Bobby Jones Letters let me further tempt you...

There are 45 lots of hickory and other vintage golf clubs to choose from, with bidding starting anywhere from $100 to $5,000. These clubs range from a Hugh Phil c.1840 long nosed splice neck play club Lot 36: Hugh Philp long nosed play club with an estimate of $10,000 - $15,000

to a Hendry & Bishop Giant Cardinal Niblick Lot 25: Hendry & Bishop Giant Cardinal Niblick with an estimate of $400 - $600.

There will also be one feathery golf ball circa 1830 for sale. These delicate and laborious golf balls seldom survive. This example can be purchased this September, with an estimate of $4,000 - 6,000.

Lot 3: Original feathery golf ball

There is also an extensive library to be offered of works on golf course architecture, including this scarce little book on hazards Lot 4: Hazards with an estimate of $6,000 - 9,000.

Plus a nice selection of some of the most sought-after titles on golf from the 19th and 20th centuries. There are also collectibles such as silver flasks, a trophy, a few programs (including one signed by several golfers), booklets, ceramics, and more to choose from. One my favorites is this architectural map of De Soto Heights Golf Course in Gainesville, GA designed and signed by Donald Ross. Offered with an estimate of $2,000 - 3,000. Lot 169: Map of De Soto Golf Course - one of two similar, signed plans to be offered. Also, see Lot 170.

I also love this mug (one of three lots of ceramics) from Doulton Lambeth Lot 10: Doulton Lambeth

If you are in the Chicago area on the weekend of September 17th - 19th, I'd encourage you to attend the 45th Annual Golf Collectors' Society Meeting & Trade Show. There you'll find unusual and unique people (and collectibles!) to buy and share. If you have any questions about the auction hosted by PBA Galleries on Thursday September 17th at 5pm Central Time contact PBA Galleries at (415) 989-2665 or via email pba@pbagalleries.com.

Sale 565: Americana & More auction on July 23rd

On Thursday July 23rd, PBA Galleries will offer over 500 lots of Americana, Travel & Exploration, African American History, Maps, and Sports Memorabilia -- Phew!

Give yourself some time to peruse the massive auction catalogue, which can be found here:

Sale 565 Americana & More

Beyond the usual Americana books & ephemera, you can also buy model airplanes, blueprints for a Boeing Model 15, a George W. Bush signed baseball cap, and Gold Rush letters.

Among some of the unusual and archival lots you can acquire is archive related to California poet and frontiersman Joaquin Miller, including an unfinished portrait by George Innes:

Archive of Joaquin Miller

And there's an archive of Maria Mitchell material, including a drawing of a "comet seeker." Maria Mitchell was the first female professional astronomer.

Maria Mitchell archive

And you can purchase an original ship's wheel from the U.S.S. President Hayes:

Ship's wheel

Also, starting with Lot 378 are several lots of African Americana dating from 1817, much of it first-hand material such as hand-written letters, plus pamphlets, photographs, ephemera, books and more.

Plus a small run of maps, followed by a selection of sports memorabilia, including this important 18th century description of baseball:

18th Century description of baseball in German

There are some nice signed baseballs, and other sports memorabilia. Due to the variety this catalogue merits perusal. Good luck bidding!

Golf auction on Thursday September 17th, 2015 at 5:00 PM Central Time

Please join PBA Galleries and the Golf Collectors' Society on Thursday, September 17th at 5:00 pm Central Time for our auction of The Library of Craig Ammerman (with Additions). More information about the GCS Annual Meeting & Trade Show can be found on their website (link below):

Information & Registration for GCS Meeting & Auction

The auction will have a preview on Thursday September 17th from 12 pm - 5 pm. The preview and auction will be held in The Turquoise Room, which is in the Tower Building on the 2nd Floor.

What can you buy at the auction? Over one hundred 19th and 20th century books on the game of golf, including nearly every book ever published about golf course architecture. Plus a nice variety of non-book collectibles including over forty premium hickory golf clubs, programs, ephemera, silver flasks, a feathery ball, signed Donald Ross architectural drawings, and much more! The free online catalog will be available in early August 2015.

Bidding is easy, and is available via absentee, online live, live in person, or over the phone (limited). How to Buy

If you want a printed catalog mailed to you, please contact PBA Galleries at (415) 989-2665.

Bargain Basement Clearance Auction at PBA Galleries on Tuesday June 9th

If you've ever wanted to enhance your collection on the cheap, now is the time. PBA Galleries is clearing out their warehouse on Tuesday, June 9th and have reduced estimates on over 400 lots. Material includes autographs & manuscripts, original photographs, ornithology, art, movie posters, maps, early printed books, modern literature, and even a hand-painted saw. Check out the sale here.

Auction Catalog

The first section are simply re-offered items with reduced reserves. The second section (starting at lot 142) is chock-full of goodies starting at $10 bids. Many lots are group lots, so the shipping regularly runs up your bill another $30...but it's worth it to get a group of the books you really want. Line your bookshelves at home, in your office, or at your bookstore, on the cheap!

The Chicago Pen Show 2015

The first pen in my collection. ACME Keith Haring pen, 1997.

I attended my very first pen show in Chicago this May. I introduced myself to as many pen dealers as possible, and the first thing I noticed about pen dealers, is that they are enthusiastic about sharing their knowledge. I even started my own pen collection with a Keith Haring ACME rollerball pen, 1997.

PBA Galleries will be hosting their inaugural Fine Writing Instruments auction on Thursday, November 12, 2015. The company is launching a new department dedicated to Fine Pens & Pencils. This is exciting news for collectors around the globe, who are increasing buying online, because PBA Galleries has easy online bidding. Plus you can bid over the phone, and as always in person live in the San Francisco gallery.

For more opportunities to buy and share pens, please view list of pen shows below.

List of Pen Shows in the USA

Fine Literature Auction with Archives from the Lord John Press - Thursday, April 16th

This Thursday beginning at 11:00 am Pacific, PBA Galleries will host another huge auction with over 600 offerings. There are 3 sections, the first is a nice selection of Fine Literature (nearly 400 lots), then books and files from The Lord John Press, then a bargain selection of collectibles with starting bids at $10.

The Fine Literature section features mostly 19th and 20th century literature, plus signed tomes and manuscript material from various authors. You can find mystery & detective, romance, and science fiction plus so many of the classics by famous, infamous and little known authors the world over.

There's a nice selection of Charles Dickens. Then there is lot 148, Kahlil Gibran's The Prophet. PBA is offering the rare first edition of this book by the third most widely read poet in history (behind Shakespeare and Lao-Tzu).

Lot 148: The Prophet

There are a few editions of Joyce's Ulysses, some Jack London books, including some inscribed, and a tremendous archive of correspondence from the publisher for Henry Miller's works. Lot 246 includes more than 100 autograph & typed letters from Henry Miller to his publisher Bradley Smith, plus much more.

Lot 246: Henry Miller Archive

There's a nice selection of John Steinbeck novels, and several classics are available by Mark Twain, the nicest of the group is a First American Edition of Huckleberry Finn.

Lot 352: Huckleberry Finn

And if you ever wanted to get your hands on some nice Lord John Press material, this is the auction for you. Not only books, but typescripts, correspondence archives, unique signed material, and more.

Check out the auction catalog for more offerings:

Sale 558: Fine Literature, Archive of Lord John Press