Previously Unpublished Photograph of
Young & Old Tom Morris

New discoveries in the collecting world are always a joyous occasion. Offered here is one of the finest "new" memorabilia discoveries we've encountered in a while - a previously unpublished 1860s photograph featuring Old Tom Morris and quite possibly even Young Tom Morris. Admittedly, while we consider this photograph a "new" discovery, this is only due to the fact that it has been previously unpublished to our knowledge. It is most certainly not a new discovery to our consignor, however, as it has maintained a prominent place in his collection for 35 years.

One reason why this photograph hasn't been seen publicly before today is due to its extreme condition sensitivity. This is a wafer thin circa 1860s photograph, which is not mounted to board as was common in the era.

The reverse of the photograph contains pencil handwriting "Gathering of Professional Cracks 1860s","Young Thos. Morris Centre", and "Perth?" While we don't know who penned these notations, the author clearly felt that the young boy wearing a bonnet kneeling in the center is Young Tom Morris. Since it appears to be Old Tom Morris standing over the boy's right shoulder, this seems like a reasonably presumption, even if the boy's face is blurred. It should also be noted that age of this photograph, as well as the length and style of Old Tom's beard is accurate as to the time period where Young Tommy would be approximately this age (approx. 10-13 years old). Though impossible to prove with 100% certainty, the possibility of this being Young Tom Morris is truly historic, as only a few photographs of Tommy are known to exist.

This circa 1860s photograph measures 6" x 3 7/8". It is wafer thin and condition sensitive. The photo has staining and damage, but may be the only surviving example.