Dunn Patent One Piece Driver, circa 1895

with Mort Olman and Jeff Ellis Provenance

        From the 1880's onward, innovation in golf club design was the driving force in the evolution of the game. In the mid 1890's, John Duncan Dunn produced the very first "One Piece" Drivers for sale to the public. Aside from the leather insert, sheepskin grip, and ramshorn insert on the sole, the clubhead and shaft are made from one continuous piece of wood - there is no splice, socket, or other type of connection! The workmanship is absolutely incredible, and the club shows little if any use.

        The club offered here is certainly one of the finest examples in the hobby, and, incredibly, has been owned and displayed by two of the foremost club collectors of their day - Mort Olman and Jeff Ellis. This exact club is pictured on page 88 of Mort Olman's "Encyclopedia of Golf Collectibles". It was later acquired by noted collector Jeff Ellis where it was featured in both of his books, "The Clubmaker's Art", and "The Golf Club".

        With that sort of provenance, this club is universally regarded as the most documented and finest known one piece driver that bears the early "Dunn Patent" crown stamp. An incredibly beautiful, significant, and historic golf club that will the highlight of any advanced collection.