With an exceptionally shallow face, which measures just under 1" at its deepest point, this 39" middle spoon has seen some action but remains fit for more. The center of the face was fit with a leather insert back in the day. The shaft, grip, neck whipping, horn, lead, are still original.
This head has received a few extra coats of varnish and some black touch up, which was included on the face—such paint would offer better protection from moisture. This likely occurred when the insert was installed. The crown is stamped "J Anderson," which is distinctly readable but has been covered with varnish.
Born in 1842, James Anderson once the best golfer in the world,
winning the British Open three years in succession—1877, '78, '79. To
win the 1878 Open by two shots, Anderson scored four under par across
the last four holes at Prestwick. He holed out his approach shot on the
15th hole for an eagle three and then on the 17th hole, a par 3, he
holed his tee shot! Talk about an unbelievable finish!!
In addition to being an outstanding golfer, Anderson was a skilled
club and ball maker. He was the first apprentice/assistant Robert
Forgan employed after taking over Hugh Philp's business in 1856. When
Tom Morris moved from Prestwick to St. Andrews in 1864, Anderson had
also learned to make golf balls working with his father, Old Daw.
Anderson was working for Tom Morris when the Royal Perth Golfing Society
offered him the professional job in 1865. Royal Perth, however, did
not hire him at that time because Anderson's price was too high.
Nevertheless, Anderson struck out on his own and established a
clubmaking business in St. Andrews. Two-time Open champ Bob Martin went
to work for Anderson at some point in the late 1860s/early 1870s.
Martin, born in 1852, served his full clubmaking apprenticeship under
Anderson. Leaving St. Andrews for a brief period, Jamie took a job
working for Ardeer Golf Club in Ayrshire in 1882 before he wound up
working briefly at Royal Perth in 1883. By 1890, Anderson was back
working for Robert Forgan. By 1898, he was working for R.B. Wilson.
Towards the end of his life, Anderson's health became an issue and he
died in a poor house in 1905.
This club is second from the right in the group image that accompanies this lot. For more on Anderson, see TCA2 V1 p82-83.