Scarce Autograph of

John Reid (Father of American Golf)

and possible autograph of

Alex Smith (1906 & 1910 U.S. Open Champion)

 

            What a truly historic piece - a rare autograph of the Father of American Golf, John Reid, on a book page that we believe to also contain a truly scarce autograph of 1906 and 1910 U.S. Open Winner Alex Smith, who died in 1930. How rare is an authentic Alex Smith autograph? So rare that we can only find one known exemplar by which to try to confirm and authenticate this piece. Even leading third-party authenticators PSA and JSA could be of no help with this rare autograph. So based on the one authentic example we can find, we are of the opinion that this piece contains an authentic Alex Smith autograph, but cannot be absolutely certain.

            While there is some controversy surrounding the origins of American golf, it is usually dated from the founding of the St. Andrews Golf Club at Yorkers, N.Y. in 1888. As such, St. Andrews' founder, first president and most ardent supporter, John Reid, is widely regarded as the "Father of American Golf." On Nov. 14, 1888, Mr. and Mrs. Reid decided that it was time to get a golf club organized formally. They invited the half dozen men interested to the Reid home for dinner. Officers were elected with John Reid named president. As more equipment was imported from Scotland, club membership grew and by the spring of 1889 the club had about 12 members. The custom of having a drink at the “19th hole” may also have been started by Reid, who invited friends in for a drink after a game. Reid died in Yonkers in 1916.

            This is a wonderful pair of signatures signed on a book end page of two great early pioneers of the game. Few authentic autographs are known to exist of Alex Smith and John Reid.