Lot # 3: c. 1860 John Patrick Short Spoon

Starting Bid: $2,000.00

Bids: 6 (Bid History)

Time Left: Auction closed
Lot / Auction Closed




This lot is closed. Bidding is not allowed.

Item was in Auction "Summer 2021",
which ran from 7/7/2021 12:00 PM to
7/24/2021 8:00 PM



John Patrick set up his clubmaking business in Leven, Scotland in 1847.  When he died 19 years later, in 1866, his son Alex took over the business.  Alex was taught well, as John was a well-respected clubmaker.  

The Fife Herald of February 19, 1852 included an article about the game of Golf in the town of Leven and referred to Patrick as follows; "Along with the march of the game in this quarter, we can now boast of having, like St Andrews, an excellent clubmaker, whose productions are deservedly in high estimation." The July 17, 1851 issue of The Fife Herald noted that John Patrick had donated "a very fine play club" for a competition at the Leven Golf Club.   In June of 1858, The Fife Herald commented about the good golf located in Leven, Scotland, and stated that Leven had "a resident clubmaker of great merit, namely, Patrick.  This clubmaker has an exceedingly good idea on how to fit a player, and finishes his club in the style that reminds us of poor old Hugh Philp."  (Philp had died just two years earlier.) 

This club is 5th from the left in the group shot.

Stamped "J. Patrick" on its crown, this 38-inch-long John Patrick short spoon is a great club. The original finish is in nice condition, the "J. Patrick" stamp is strong, the shaft, whipping and grip are original. 

The head measures just under 5 1/2" long, 1 1/8" in face depth, and 1 7/8" wide from front to back.  There is some notable worm damage to the grip, which is a little loose at the top and bottom. These areas can easily be tacked down or whipped to tighten. The face shows a bit of weathering but the issues with the face and grip are not a big deal.  Because so few John Patrick clubs remain and there is so much that is right with this club, and because Patrick clubs are highly collectible and date between 1847 and 1866, this is a great club!

It should be noted that the auctioneer was never able to locate a John Patrick club in good enough condition to include in either TCA or TCA2, which is why neither edition includes one. This example, however, would have been terrific! 

 

 

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