Offered here is a stunning original water color painting from 1885 by celebrated artist Thomas Hodge (1827-1907). Hodge became a member of the Royal & Ancient in 1861, and was the rare early golf painter that actually knew the subjects that he painted, including the likes of Old Tom Morris and James Ogilvie Fairlie.

The offered painting is surely one of Hodge's finest works, and is the subject of a two page spread in Golfing Memorabilia (2004) by Mort Olman. In his book, Olman remarks that it is "one of the nicest Hodges I have ever seen" and that it was worth quite a bit more than the £6800 (then approx. $10,000) purchase price. Olman then sold the painting to our consignor for $12,500 and it has remained in his collection ever since. In Olman's book, he also correctly points out that this is an unusual piece for Thomas Hodge in that it includes 4 golfers in the scene rather than the portraits for which his which Hodge is better known.

The condition of this painting cannot be overstated, as it is exceptional. It has clearly been well cared for over the past 130+ years. Image is approximately 6 1/2" x 10" (visible) and framed to an overall size of 13 1/4" x 17". The upper right corner of the frame is broken and may need to be repaired or replaced.