This circa 1901 Percy Hills bramble gutta percha golf ball was part of the famous Harry B. Wood Collection. It still contains the Wood's well-recognized small paper label. These labels were created by Wood in order to display his grand collection of memorabilia in the late 1800s and very early 1900s. Harry B. Wood began his collection in 1868, just two years after the Royal & Ancient announced their own intentions to assemble a museum. Few golf antiques share the provenance and history of items from the Harry B. Wood Collection. Harry B. Wood assembled, cataloged, and displayed approximately 175 golf balls for his legendary collection. In his original display case, this 1901 Percy Hills bramble is listed as ball #142. See The Story of the Golf Ball by KW McGimpsey, p. 43.

This 1901 Percy Hills bramble gutta percha golf ball is in very good condition, and retains 95% of its original paint. The “Percy Hills” and "Manchester" lettering are rather easily readable, which is rare for this ball with its faint stamping. Harry B. Wood's original label is in Poor to Fair overall condition with a faintly readable handwritten 1901 date.