Very Rare Circa 1830's Feather Ball Era Iron

with Joe Kirkwood Provenance

        During golf's earliest days, large, heavy iron clubs were necessary to extract a feather ball from lies that could damage the delicate wood headed clubs that were in use at the time. As a class, feather ball period (pre 1850) irons are among the rarest and most desirable of all collectible golf clubs.

        This example was examined by celebrated collector and golf club historian Jeff Ellis, who determined that because of the clubhead's size, large hosel, and thick shaft, it was made sometime in the 1830's. The head is also pinned from the front of the hosel to the back - a characteristic of a very old club. A later (but still very old) hosel pin is also evident - no doubt installed to ensure the club's continued safe use. This early iron is VERY heavy and would be difficult to swing like a modern golf club. This historic iron was obtained years ago by our consignor from the family of celebrated tour player Joe Kirkwood, who, in the 1920's and 1930's, famously traveled throughout the world with Walter Hagen playing in various exhibitions. Kirkwood is well-known in collecting communities as an early collector of rare golf memorabilia.

        In his book, "The Clubmaker's Art", Ellis notes that "collecting early irons is a pastime for the very rich or the very lucky", and years can go by without a single specimen being offered for sale. Well, offered here is a wonderful opportunity to obtain a seldom-seen Feather Ball Era Iron for the advanced club collector.