We are delighted to be able to offer for sale this fabulous piece of Scottish Golfing History.
A very rare Antique and hand fashioned club made by W.H. Shelley in Anstruther Scotland. It would have been made between 1907-1914.
This rare club would have been commissioned by an early adopter of the modern game and was most likely used at the world renowned course at St Andrews which is local to the course at Anstruther.
This club should be viewed as a collectors piece only. It does have lots of usage wear and nibbles. It comes with its original leather binding on the hand and a long wooden shaft (hickory?) The club head has a bone insert in the base and a lead panel in back of the head. See pics.
It is stamped on the club head ‘SPECIAL’ with the makers mark.
Condition
Please study pics for accurate details
Nice straight shaft
General usage scuffs and dinks
Small Shrinkage cracks on the club head
Great original patina
Great collectors item.
Measurements :
Top to toe Length 108cm
History:
William H Shelley Of Anstruther
William Henderson Shelley was born in Anstruther in 1881. On the 1901 census his occupation is given as joiner.
He made the transition to clubmaking by placing an advertisement in the local paper in September 1907 announcing he was commencing ‘business as joiner and golf club maker.
William advertised his services and wares assiduously up until the advent of WWI. He also figures during the same period in reports of competitions at Anstruther Golf Club.
He was called up to the army although there is little mention of his service record (he was already in the reserve and a winning competitor at local rifle club competitions). From 1914 onwards there seem to be no mentions of his business. Probably after the war he worked as a clubmaker for someone else because when his son (another William Henderson Shelley) married in 1941, William senior, who was still alive, his wife Elizabeth was not, is recorded as a clubmaker on the marriage certificate.
He died in Kirkcaldy in 1963.
Collect in person from Radwell in Hertfordshire.
Or reassured we can arrange safe delivery with our trusted regular courier. + £7 p&p