Lot # 46: 1893 Unmarked George Nicoll Gutta Percha Face Cleek

Starting Bid: $500.00

Bids: 0 (Bid History)

Time Left: Auction closed
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Item was in Auction "Fall Golf Auction 2019",
which ran from 11/6/2019 12:00 PM to
11/23/2019 8:00 PM



George Nicoll began to make clubs in 1881.  On August 14, 1893, he applied for a patent on this distinct iron.  It's unique feature is the gutta percha that Nicoll inlaid in the face.  Gutta percha golf balls were in use when this iron was made, and Nicoll was trying to find a material that would grip the ball and prevent the "slipping" that could occur on a smooth face iron.  Nicoll also used leather as an insert material in some irons.

Quite a bit of extra work was needed to prepare the cavity to hold the insert. Evidence of hand workmanship is found around the perimeter of the cavity.

Nicoll did not complete his patent, so a patent was never issued for this club.  Judging from the rarity of these irons, they received little interest which would explain why Nicoll did not complete his patent application.

This example has a beautiful lancewood shaft stamped "A. Aiken, Edinburgh," and its original sheepskin grip. The gutta percha insert is all there the head is clean.  The writing usually found on the back of the head is not there. It was either lost to cleaning with emery cloth, as sometimes happened, or this head was not stamped which also sometimes ocurred.  Nicoll gutta percha face irons, however, are unique in the world of antique clubs and easily identifiable.  This is a fine example. 

TCA2 V2 p 392 

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