Original 1937 Prairie Dunes Photos

The Perry Maxwell Collection

Green Jacket Auctions is proud to have the opportunity to auction a spectacular collection of original, vintage photographs from famed golf course architect Perry Maxwell. Perry Maxwell designed courses from 1913 to 1951, and designed or re-designed such historic courses as Prairie Dunes, Crystal Downs, Augusta National, Cypress Point, Pine Valley, Merion, Colonial, Southern Hills and The National Golf Links. Maxwell is probably best known for his partnership with Alister Mackenzie, which lasted for over 10 years and resulted in the creation of Crystal Downs and the University of Michigan golf course, among others.

These original photographs were recently discovered in a Maxwell relative's old home, and had been perfectly preserved in the same alphabetized file that Maxwell himself stored them in before his death over 50 years ago. Each photograph depicts a golf course that Maxwell had a hand in designing or re-designing. For instance, his personal collection includes spectacular photographs of Augusta National Golf Club, where he re-designed 11 holes in 1937 and 1938, and Pine Valley, where he re-designed 3 holes in 1933.

Presented in this lot are 6 original photographs from the creation and eventual completion of one of Perry Maxwell's signature course designs - Prairie Dunes Country Club, where Perry Maxwell and his son designed and oversaw the construction of the course in 1937. These photos are from that renovation, and are absolutely spectacular. In Maxwell's handwritten notes, he more than once mentioned having photos created in the large 8" x 10" format, which was very large for the day, but likely gave him the exact details he so craved. And fortunately for us, these 6 photographs are all approximately 8 " x 10".