When Francis Brewster introduced his Simplex clubs in 1897, he stated that one of his main objectives was to do away with all iron clubs.  With the introduction of his Sole Plate irons in 1904, however, Brewester apparently realized that his Simplex woods were in far greater danger of extinction.

Hoping to capture a significant share of the golf club market, Brewster received a British patent for his soleplate irons in 1903, designed to lower the center of gravity and glance along the ground.  Brewster produced six different Sole-Plate irons and a putter. The example offered here is a mashie niblick stamped "Bournemouth" in script high on the back of the blade. It has its original 35 1/2" shaft and leather wrapped grip.

This iron is the very iron shown and discussed in The Clubmakers Art 2nd Ed. volume 1 page 323.