Old Tom Morris Family Collection

In this auction, we have the extreme privilege of offering items from Old Tom Morris' personal collection that have been passed down in his family since his death in 1908. The offered items are being consigned to Golden Age by an heir of Old Tom Morris, and are being seen publicly for the very first time in this auction. 

Old Tom Morris' Personal 1877 Will

Offered here is a truly stunning discovery - Old Tom Morris' actual handwritten Will from 1877. This document was previously unknown to every Tom Morris biographer or historian. This is also the very first time that it is being publicly displayed. We recently discovered it inside its original mailing envelope within the personal effects of Old Tom Morris' heir. Though the golf world did not know about its existence, the family preserved it carefully in its original 1800s envelope with a century-old fountain pen notation - "Tom Morris Will". 

Titled "Trust Disposition and Settlement by Tom Morris Golf Club Maker St Andrews January 1877." Stunning contents. Most notably, the section marked "Third" instructs Tom Morris trustees (his children) upon the death of Old Tom Morris "to carry on the business at present & carried on...as Golf Club and Golf Ball maker." The rest of the document includes things like paying down Old Tom's debts, as well as taking care of Old Tom's disabled (and seldom talked about) son John. 

Old Tom was 55 years old when this Will was written. Quite amazingly, Tom Morris lived another 31 years and did not pass away until the age of 86. Unfortunately, Tom Morris suffered perhaps the worst fate of any parent, as he outlived every one of his children (which are each listed as his heirs and trustees in the 1977 Will & Trust). 

Excellent condition. Folded into four sections to fit the accompanying original envelope. Curiously, the signatures of "Thomas Morris" are in another hand, likely due to the fact that Old Tom was essentially illiterate in 1877, though he learned to sign his name more proficiently in later years. We can only presume that law firms of the day had a standard procedure for such circumstances, as much of the population was illiterate. 

Letter of Provenance from the Old Tom Morris Family