Bobby Jones autographed photo

The check that “Old Tom” Morris used to purchase the building and shop on Links Road in St. Andrews, the ancestral home of golf is part of a grouping of golf autographs up for bid in a sports memorabilia auction scheduled for April.

The Mark Emerson collection includes every Hall of Fame golfer except “Young Tom” Morris – of whom there are no known surviving signatures.

The check with “Old Tom’s” signature is one of very few known copies of the legendary golfer’s autograph. It is estimated at $6,000-$8,000.  This exact item, a check for 800 pounds, gave him outright title to the building and shop on Links Road in St. Andrews that bears his name to this day.

Also in the auction is an exceptionally high quality signed Bobby Jones photo from the 1920s.

“An autographed photo of this caliber is entirely appropriate of Jones, America’s most beloved golfer and the winner of an astonishing 13 majors in eight years, between 1923 and 1930,” said Mike Gutierrez of Heritage Auctions. “This is a special relic relating to possibly the most timeless name in all of American golf.”

Another important American golfing icon, Walter Hagen, is equally well-represented in the Heritage Auctions April Sports Memorabilia sale, with 1924 signed letter, written on Royal Liverpool stationery with a full fountain pen signature. The spectacular content belies the bravado of the new British Open Champion. It is estimated at $4,000-$6,000.

“On behalf of Mrs. Hagen and myself,” he wrote, “I thank British golfers for the great and cordial reception and many kindnesses we have received while with you to play in the Open Championship. I did not come to win it but to try for it and to enjoy the sportsmanship and friendship which has always been extended in such abundance. With my fellow countrymen I look to the Little Island as the home of golf and it is always a joy to play amongst you. I shall try to come next year and defend the title I am so proud to win. Sincerely yours, (signed) Walter Hagen.”

British golf fans who know their history beyond “Old Tom” and “Young Tom” Morris will be intrigued by the inclusion of an exceedingly are 1865 Andrew Strath handwritten and signed wage receipt, possibly the only Strath signature in existence, estimated at $10,000-$15,000.

Strath became the “Keeper of the Greens” at Prestwick in 1865, following “Old Tom” Morris’s resignation and move to St. Andrews, and promptly won the Open Championship at his new home course. He was a brilliant player in golf’s infancy with four other top four finishes in the Open. Sadly he died of tuberculosis in 1868, making this signed and dated receipt for wages the rarest of the rare in major golf championship memorabilia. Remarkably, his unmarked grave was recently discovered and now a commemorative plaque identifies the forgotten Champion.

The auction takes place April 22-23.  Further highlights of the collection include, but are not limited to:

1918 Johnny McDermott Signed Photograph: In 1911, Johnny McDermott became the first American-born player to win the National Golf Championship and, to this day, McDermott is the youngest US Open Champion of all time at age 19. All previous US Open winners (1895-1910) had been born in the U.K. In 1912, McDermott won again, but shortly after being rescued from a ship accident in 1914, McDermott blacked out at his host club in Atlantic City and he spent the balance of his life in mental hospitals. This is an extremely rare and significant piece, the only known signed photo of McDermott known to exist. Estimate: $2,000-$4,000.

1894 A.F. MacFie Signed Scorecard: The first British Amateur Championship was held in 1885 at Hoylake and was won by MacFie. Nine years later, young Freddie Tait, who himself would win the Amateur twice (in 1896 and 1898) played a challenge match at The Old Course against “Old Tom” Morris and shot a then course record 72. In Tait’s own hand, he wrote down his scores on this sheet and had it attested by none other than A. F. MacFie. This is the only known signature of the first British Amateur Champion. Estimate: $3,000-$5,000.

1888 John Ball, Jr. Handwritten Signed Letter: John Ball Jr. is the most prolific winner of amateur titles in the history of golf. From 1888-1912 he captured the British Amateur Championship no less than eight times and in 1890 he won the Open Championship. Estimate: $3,000-$5,000.

Circa 1920 Harold H. Hilton Signed Photograph: Harold Hilton had an extremely distinguished career, winning the British Amateur title four times from 1900 to 1913. In that span he also won a US Amateur, in 1911 at Apawamis. If that wasn’t enough, he also won two Open Championships as an amateur–in 1892 at Muirfield and in 1897 at Hoylake. This is an original Sport & General Press Agency photo on original studio mount, signed boldly by the seven time major Champ. Very rare. Image size is 6 x 8, with mount expanding the final dimensions to 8 x 10.5. The signature rates an impressive 8/10. Estimate: $2,000-$4,000.

1937 Jim Barnes Signed Photograph: “Long Jim” Barnes was one of golf’s early stars, winning the very first U.S. PGA Golf Championship in 1916 at Siwanoy. After a two year hiatus for World War I, he won again in 1919, and in 1921 he added the US Open title to his credit with President Warren Harding there in person to present the trophy. His final major championship win came when Prestwick hosted its last British Open in 1925. Estimate: $2,000-$4,000.

Trading cards have long been one of the most popular collectible items, especially with sports collectors and golf enthusiasts. When these cards were initially released, they were shipped in packs or sets, with each set containing anywhere from 10 to 50 cards. At their time of release in decades past, golf cards were inexpensive and often amateur collectors eventually disposed of them, believing they would have no real value 50 years down the road. It’s because of this that some of the older cards are hard to find and therefore demand a higher price. While many of these cards have not hit the high prices like their counterparts in baseball or hockey, vintage golf trading cards are still a hot collectible that are expected to increase in value in the coming years. Over the past 100 years, professional golf has amassed a very large fan following, which in turn has fueled demand for vintage golf trading cards.

If a golfer from 100 years ago were to travel in time to today, I’m sure they would be surprised to find just how popular golf has become. Because it is a sport that may be more accessible to a large group of people based on age and ability, golf participation has grown to heights not seen by more intensive sports like baseball or hockey. Just like baseball enthusiasts and fans eagerly collect vintage trading cards of their favorite teams and players, avid golfers have turned their love for the game into a collecting old golf trading cards. What I have always found interesting about collecting any vintage golf item is the skill that was displayed by players 50 or 75 years ago. While we have benefited from technology and advancements in equipment, older players used inferior equipment, yet excelled at the game, which showed their level of skill. A vintage trading card will often tell the whole truth regarding their skill on the course and the pre-World War II cards are a great snapshot into the game’s colorful past.

Who can forget the golf greats like Bobby Jones, Sam Snead and Walter Hagen? Collecting vintage golf cards of such notable players is a great way to memorialize those who have since passed away, or commemorate retired golfers who made a lasting impact on the game. Whether you choose to collect vintage golf cards as a hobby or a more serious investment, one thing is true; Of all the different trading cards available, golf cards seem to receive the least press but might be the most interesting to collect.

Here’s a list of golf cards available on eBay now.

A signed 8×10 photograph of Bobby Jones sold for $5625 in a recent sports memorabilia auction conducted by Maryland-based Huggins & Scott.

While heavy on the traditional baseball, football, basketball and hockey memorabilia and cards, the auctiondid contain some golf material.  The Jones photo drew 28 bids and had a high bid of $5,000.  The buyer’s premium pushed the realized price $625 higher.

A lot of three signed Ben Hogan items including a contract and check, brought $881 including the BP, a Masters flag signed by Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Gary Player drew 12 bids and sold for $822, a group of five signed items including Nicklaus, Palmer and Byron Nelson brought just over $500.