Offered here is a scarce original Carte de Visite (CdV) of Young Tom Morris posing with the Challenge Belt. Historians have long debated exactly when this photograph of Young Tom was taken. Tommy first won the Challenge Belt (the precursor to the Claret Jug) in 1868. The Challenge Belt became his to keep (by the rules at the time) by winning the Open for the 3rd consecutive time in 1870. 

This timeline of this photograph being taken in 1868-1870 matches perfectly with the popularity of Carte de Visites. CdVs were created in the 1850s, but were most popular in the 1860s. By the early 1870s, they had been supplanted by cheaper photography methods including tintypes. 

It is very difficult to explain the rarity of original images of Young Tom Morris, who passed away at the age of 25 in 1875. The fact that this is a circa 1868-1870 CdV of Young Tom Morris during his life is nothing less than extraordinary. 

4 1/8" x 2 1/2". Good condition. High quality image.