Lot # 70: 1893-1896 Spalding Baseball Trademark Driver

Starting Bid: $100.00

Bids: 31 (Bid History)

Time Left: Auction closed
Lot / Auction Closed




This lot is closed. Bidding is not allowed.

Item was in Auction "Fall 2022",
which ran from 11/3/2022 7:00 PM to
11/19/2022 8:00 PM



This driver features Spalding's original trademark on the top of its head: the baseball logo. According to Jim Cooper in Early United States Golf Clubs by A.G. Spalding & Bros., Wright and Ditson and Bridgeport Gun Implement Co.., this baseball logo launched with the company in 1876 and was included on all of their sporting goods, even hung above their first storefront, before being included on some of their earliest clubs.  A wood club with only this stamp alone, however, is so rare that even Cooper does not have one pictured in his book. Cooper believes the stamp was most likely used in 1893.  Woods bearing just the baseball stamp are shown in Spalding's 1895 Golf Guide.

Update: The original 44 3/8" shaft is made from ash, not hickory, which is rare for a club of this vintage.  Ash was popular a century before this club was made. The shaft is stamped "SPALDING" up near its original sheepskin grip—see image. There are a few places where the sheepskin is missing, but that allows a great view of the unique early Spalding knitted wool underlining.

Condition is as shown in the images. There's a small chip to the toe, but that's not a big deal given the rarity and historical significance of this club—one of the earliest clubs sold by the first American golf club manufacturer.  

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