Lot 411
An important , rare and historical H. Philp longnose putter, owned by Tom Morris,
Auction: 11 July 2005 at 12:00 BST
Description
from the Harry B. Wood Collection, with the distinctive paper label and ties attached to the club. See Golfing Curios & The Like, plate XI
Footnote
This club comes with a lovely letter from the vendor telling how he was able to acquire this wonderful club into his own private personal collection from the North Manchester Golf Club in 1985.
‘While visiting the UK in 1985, I sought out the Secretary, hoping to have the famous old cabinet opened so that I could handle some of the items. Unfortunately the Secretary was on holiday and this was not possible, when commenting to the assistant that I would seek out the Secretary next year, he casually replied that it would probably be to late since the Wood Collection was going to auction. This casual remark peaked my interest!’
I contacted my good friend, Peter Crabtree, another well-known collector and asked him if he might like to collaborate with me in purchasing the entire Wood Collection. He jumped at the suggested and we formulated a plan. Since Peter lives in the UK, it was convenient for him to make contact and pusue an offer.
After relentless meetings with North Mancheser officials and Peter;s sincere friendly approach appealed to them, the work really began. After months of detailing with legalities to ensure that the club could legally sell the collection which had been gifted by Harry B. Wood… we where in possession of a fine collection.
The collection was divided between the two parties and one of the items I had stipulated that I was to receive was the ‘Old Philp Putter, Owned by Tom Morris’, which in my opinion was the finest club owned by Harry B. Wood. Since aquiring the Philp, it has never previously been out of my hands, being displayed in my golf museum. Wood received this club directly from Tom Morris, who had supplied him with a number of collectibles. There is a picture of the club in Wood’s book, Golfing Curios and The Like, as well as some details in the text.
Harry B. Wood had special cards printed for attachment to the shafts and the Philp putter has a card that details it’s previous ownership by Old Tom and Young Tom Morris. I feel confident that this club was used by them in winning the several Opens. Old Tom must have cherished the club in order to retain it for so many years. At that time he relinquished the club to Harry who was Tom’s friend. Tom was helping accumulate the first documented golf memorabilia collection amd must have felt that the Philp putter was really special.
In my opinion and that of Crabtree, our purchase of the Wood Collection was a great triumph and the best golf memorabilia acquisition ever accomplished.