Important Pair of 18th Century Membership Certificates
from the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers

The discovery of this pair of Membership Certificates has raised great interest among the world community of golf historians. They date from 1784 and 1797 and belonged to Dr. Andrew Duncan Sr. and his son, Dr. Andrew Duncan, respectively. Andrew Duncan, Sr. was a noted golfer in the 3rd quarter of the 18th century. He was a member of The Honorable Company of Edinburgh Golfers, the Royal & Ancient Golf Club, and the Thistle Golf Club of Leith. We know that in 1824, then well into his 80s, Duncan was consulted by John Cundell, secretary of the Thistle Golf Club, as to his knowledge of the origins of golf. With this knowledge in hand, Condell then famously went on to publish one of the first Rules of Golf.

Collectors are early golf club's will surely make note of Duncan's initials, "A.D." Some current scholarship suggests that Andrew Duncan Sr. (or his son) may be the true owners of the infamous "A.D." marked early long nose clubs.

Offered here is one of the only chances that a collector will have to own a piece of golf memorabilia dating to the 1700s. Here are the details of each piece:

(1) Membership Certificate (or "Diploma") from the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers, dated 1784, to Doctor Andrew Duncan. This document contains an impressive signature of  early Secretary of the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers, James Balfour (who passed away in 1795).

(2) Membership Certificate (or "Diploma") from the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers, dated 1797, to "Dr. Andrew Duncan, Jr., A Physician in Edinburgh".

These 18th century documents are printed on goatskin, and measure 10" x 14 1/2" (and framed to 19" x 23").