Spalding's 1904-1905 Fall and Winter catalog offered two
center-shafted mallet putters "manufactured from models made expressly
for Mr. [Walter] Travis" (between 1900 and 1904, Travis won the US
Amateur three times and the British Amateur once). The Style A had a
narrow head and the Style B had a broad head. Both putters had a brass
face plate and lead back weight and a rounded toe and heel across the
top of the head.
In 1906, the Spalding changed the Style A and style B putters B to
the Model A and Model R, which is what this putter is. The Model R was
also a large center-shafted mallet putter. It came with a brass face
and convex sole as found on this putter. Spalding discontinued the Model
A and Model R in 1909.
This Spalding Model R putter offered here has its original shaft, which is faintly stamped "A.G.Spalding, Gold Medal" and original leather-wrapped grip. It's a stylish short stick that gives every indication that it would work well even today!
TCA2 v2 p609-610.
This club is easily recognized in both of the accompanying group images.