[Adam_Jessie]

Just like everyone else on this site collect I collect golf books. Trying to find the usual books, Golf arch in america, Golf Arch., Scotlands Gift, The links, ect. is pretty tough.  It is a big deal when I find one of these books at a reasonable price. I recently picked up a couple 1928 copies of Scotland's Gift. And it got me thinking about the odds of finding these books. Since many copies are in collections of people like me. My question is does anyone have any idea how many of these books were printed or are in existance?

Adam Jessie
Shinnecock Hills Golf Club

[Tyler Kearns]

Adam,

I recall seeing a picture of the 1st copy of 'Scotland's Gift' in George Bahto's "The Evangelist of Golf", likely taken at NGLA. I think it states that it is No. 1 of ____ (250?). I'll check when I get home.

TK

[David Stamm]

Adam, I assume you are referring to 1st edition copies? The shop at Pebble Beach, I believe called Golf of the Past has some really good 1st edition stuff. I ran into the owner this past Friday while there in the market near by and he told me they have (or just sold, I can't remember) Tillinghast's The Mutts and other golf yarns 1st edtion that he signed and personalized to Mackenzie! $9500! Classics of Golf has some good reprint stuff.

[Brian Phillips]

Adam,

The website to the shop David is talking about is www.golfspast.com

I have bought some books from Lyon & Turnbull, Grant books and of course ebay.

Let me know if you get skint and want to sell one of your Scotland's Gift.  I only have a reprint of it.

Cheers,

Brian.

[michael j fay]

Tom Stewarts shop "Old Sport" in Pinehurst has a very solid collection of old golf books. He has a copy of Golf In America by George Thomas that looks brand new. It is not from the reprint series. I swear this volume has never been open beyond the cover.

He probably has 150-200 of the very best collectable volumes. You should give him a call.

[BCrosby]

 My question is does anyone have any idea how many of these books were printed or are in existance?

Good question. I've wondered the same thing. The original print run is now irrelevant. How many volumes are still in existence is anyone's guess.

The investment thesis in collecting these books ought to be secondary to a desire just to have them. They are wonderful little pieces of history that will always teach you something if you take the time to open and read them.

Bob

[Bob Jenkins]

Adam,

I found the best inventory of those books is with Rhod McEwan Gold Books who is at www.rhodmcewan.com He is located in Royal Deeside in Scotland. Interesting character.
I have also purchased some from Grant Books and George Lewis Golfiana. The oldies some of you are mentioning can be very expensive as has been pointed out.
The only other good source is to scour used book stores when you have a chance. I have found some but also have drawn many blanks. Some have golf book sections.

[Tyler Kearns]

Adam,

The No. 1 book of what most likely is the first edition at NGLA is inscribed "This edition is limited to two hundred and sixty copies, of which two hundred and fifty are for sale".

TK

[ed_getka]

Adam,
   There was a limited edition of Scotland's Gift and then there are "trade" editions which are what you most likely found. The limited editions were signed by CBM. I doubt anyone will know how many trades were printed. Scotland's Gift is relatively easy to find, but it still is pretty expensive.

[Forrest Richardson]

I was lucky to come across a early edition for less than $200. Not signed, but still a perfect copy.

alibris.com is a great source for such books. (Not where I got Scotland's Gift, however.) I did manage a copy (1905 second printing) of Hunter's Poverty for the amazing cost of just $15 U.S. from alibris.com

[Tom_Doak]

I'm not into collecting for collecting's sake.  I own those books to read them, and the reprints are fine for that.

I am not surprised to hear there are near-uncirculated copies of Thomas' book.  I was told years ago that his daughter still had boxes of them which had never been sold ... just like I still have a couple of boxes of my private printing of The Confidential Guide (not enough left to sell them, so don't ask ).  I think there were 3,000 or 5,000 of Thomas' book printed back in the 1920's -- subtract the number of guys in the Golf Collectors' Society, and there's your float.

[Doug Ralston]

P. G. Wodehouse IS classic golf ....... but I expect you are not referring to that.  

Doug

[Brad Klein]

Basic architecture texts by Macdonald, Thomas, Hunter, MacKenzie, Darwin and Weathered & Simpson had all been reprinted in the 1980s-early 1990s by the Classics of Golf Series (U.S.), Grant Books (U.K.) and/or the USGA and are available variously at less than felonious prices.

I'm now re-reading Macdonald's memoir for the Nth time and it is still fabulous and filled with insight, moral outrage and timely lessons for today's golf world.

[M.W._Burrows]

Hey Adam,

When are you going to return my copy of "The Anatomy of a Golf Course"?

Good luck on your interview tomorrow. I'll try to call you beforehand.

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