J.W. 2-Piece Fiber Putter. Original 34 ½” shaft with original leather grip. Shaft still has Sotheby’s New York lot 542 auction tag from the 2007 Jeffery B. Ellis Antique Golf Club Auction. This the actual putter shown in The Clubmakers Art. The head is made of two pieces of vulcanized fiber. “J.W. Fiber Putter Patent” is stamped on the head along with owner’s initials “SA”.

J.W. two-piece fiber clubhcads were covered under John Wood Jr.’s British patent (No. 9,847) applied for on April 25, 1912 and accepted on April 24, 1913. The Feb. 7,1913 issue of Golf Illustrated provices more insight into how and why the clubs were produced:

"The vulcanized fibre drivers, made by the J. W. Golf Syndicate, 122 Golden Lane, London, E.C., have had a great success, and the firm are now manufacturing brassies and putters of the same material with equally satisfactory results. The advantages claimed for these clubs are indestructibility, no facing or horn required, while their feel and appearance leave nothing to be desired. In regard to the weight and balance of these clubs, the head is made in two sections, which are joined by means of a double dovetail; a hole is bored through the back portion of the club, and molten lead poured in to bring to the desired weight. This method, together with two fibre pins or dowels, form an unbreakable joint and give a perfect balance, the weight following the line of the shaft."

JW 2-piece fiber clubheads are a genuine rarity.