This shapely c. 1875 putter was made by James Anderson. Anderson was once the best golfer in the world, winning the British Open three times in succession, in 1877, 1878, and 1879.  He was also a talented clubmaker as can be seen in this shapely example of his work.  Notice how the lines of the face, the crown, the toe, the neck, and the entire perimeter of the head are graceful and balanced.     

The "J. Anderson stamp is faint, but its there.  The 38" shaft is original, still baring a former collection label, and has its original sheepskin grip. The head measures 5 1/2" long, 1 7/8" wide, and 1 1/16" in face depth. The face shows little wear but does have two "grain cracks" that run parallel to each other and angle up towards the neck. Even so, it's still a very nice 140-year-old club (give or take a little) made by a 3-time British Open Champion.

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. 

For more on Anderson, see TCA2 V1 p82-83.  (The auctioneer confesses his own deep appreciation for the fact that the man who made this club also scored an eagle and a hole-in-one across the last 4 holes of the British Open over 140 years ago, to win by two, plus he won the Open three times in succession. Amazing! I hope you enjoy viewing the c.1877 picture of Anderson included in the images that accompany this lot.)