How rare is this Mackenzie book?

[Jeff Schley]

Don't have many rare golf books, but this caught my eye.  Wondering how hard to find this one is and any idea of the value? Thinking about it, but not a hobby I'm familiar with.

Thanks
https://goldenagegolfauctions.com/bids/bidplace?itemid=28368

[SL_Solow]

Is this a different book than Colt & Alison's Some Essays On Golf Course Architecture, published in 1920, in which Dr. Mac was a contributor. Many reprints but the original had a limited of 700 copies with a smaller group of 100 with special binding?  I do not believe that there was a book as described in the notice.

[Tom_Doak]

Shel:


No, this is MacKenzie's original [and famous] 1920 book, which he wrote separately from Colt.




Jeff:


I'm not sure how many copies of the book are in circulation; they have been trading back and forth among collectors [and golf course architects] for the past 40-50 years.  Pete Dye had three or four of them in his house, at one point!


I do have one myself, but it was a gift from a friend, 8-10 years ago.


It could be selling at a slight discount to market value because someone needs money in the current pandemic, but not likely much below market.

[Jeff Schley]

Thanks Tom.  I was curious if this was his original valuable book I have heard about.  Put in a pretty tall bid and will know in an hour! Wish me luck gang.

[Marty Bonnar]

There's plenty of the reprints on Amazon.
F.

[John Kavanaugh]

I had bid enough to buy 12 tons of generic cola including the cans. Nearly won.

[SL_Solow]

Thanks

[Mike_Clayton]

I have Henry Cotton's old copy, one signed by MacKenzie.  Cotton wrote his name in it and MacKenzie simply wrote 'With the author's best wishes May 1920.'
I'm assuming people who have a copy don't give them up easily

Rhod McEwan had it in his bookshop at the 1995 Open exhibition tent - back before it devolved into a supermarket selling souvenirs.

[John Kavanaugh]

This isn't your Mother's eBay. The auction has entered extended bidding until 11 EST. The only catch is that you can only bid on items where you have previously bid.

[Brian_Ewen]

How much does 'The Life and Work of Dr. Alister MacKenzie' go for nowadays?


I might have to sell my copy shortly.

[Jeff Schley]

stressful and exciting at the same time, auctions are.

[Jeff Schley]

Ok my competitive juices just got the best of me, put in a bid at the end and got it.  Excited to receive it.

[John Kavanaugh]

Congrats. It would make a nice Christmas gift for your boss that bought a Da Vinci at auction a few years back.

[Marty Bonnar]

How much does 'The Life and Work of Dr. Alister MacKenzie' go for nowadays?


I might have to sell my copy shortly.

500 quid on Amazon right now!
Mind you there’s also a copy of Geoff S’s Cypress Point going for a Grand!!!
F.

[David_Elvins]

How much does 'The Life and Work of Dr. Alister MacKenzie' go for nowadays?


I might have to sell my copy shortly.

One went for US$500 at the auction.  But they seem to be selling for closer to US$350 on Amazon. 

[Jeff Schley]

Congrats. It would make a nice Christmas gift for your boss that bought a Da Vinci at auction a few years back.

Thanks buddy.
My boss won't be this lucky.  A well deserved Father's Day gift for my dad. I don't deserve it, but I'm quite sure he does.

[John Kavanaugh]

Congrats. It would make a nice Christmas gift for your boss that bought a Da Vinci at auction a few years back.

Thanks buddy.
My boss won't be this lucky.  A well deserved Father's Day gift for my dad. I don't deserve it, but I'm quite sure he does.

Nice. Don't let him know what you paid and watch the books journey around his house.


At dinner last night I pulled out my computer to watch the auction with my 89 year old dad. He thought I was F-ing nuts for bidding 12 tons of generic cola. I owe you one for being able to tell him this morning that I knew it was a fair price.

[Jeff Schley]

Congrats. It would make a nice Christmas gift for your boss that bought a Da Vinci at auction a few years back.

Thanks buddy.
My boss won't be this lucky.  A well deserved Father's Day gift for my dad. I don't deserve it, but I'm quite sure he does.

Nice. Don't let him know what you paid and watch the books journey around his house.


At dinner last night I pulled out my computer to watch the auction with my 89 year old dad. He thought I was F-ing nuts for bidding 12 tons of generic cola. I owe you one for being able to tell him this morning that I knew it was a fair price.

It wasn't going to be Yugo prices for a Cadillac I found.  Remember this isn't your Mother's Ebay.    I got off the porch so I had no choice but to run.

[Tim Martin]

How much does 'The Life and Work of Dr. Alister MacKenzie' go for nowadays?


I might have to sell my copy shortly.

500 quid on Amazon right now!
Mind you there’s also a copy of Geoff S’s Cypress Point going for a Grand!!!
F.

You can get the Cypress Point book on Ebay for $175 Buy it now or best offer. I would sit on the one you have.

[Peter Pallotta]

Plus: it's the book's 100 anniversary, and you can always remember that during this pandemic you chose to follow your heart and to give a gift in love. Priceless. And a great 'provenance'. Congrats, Jeff.

[John Kavanaugh]

Plus: it's the book's 100 anniversary, and you can always remember that during this pandemic you chose to follow your heart and to give a gift in love. Priceless. And a great 'provenance'. Congrats, Jeff.

You give your son a rare book because you love him. You lease your Father one because he loves you.

[Tim_Weiman]

How much does 'The Life and Work of Dr. Alister MacKenzie' go for nowadays?


I might have to sell my copy shortly.

500 quid on Amazon right now!
Mind you there’s also a copy of Geoff S’s Cypress Point going for a Grand!!!
F.

Marty,


Wow. Believe it or not, I bought 30 copies of Geoff’s Cypress Point book because I thought it would make the perfect gift.


I saved 1....maybe 2.

[Lou_Duran]

Wow, nearly $2600 being recycled in this difficult economy.  Kudos!  I suppose that the price of a MacKenzie leather bag in comparison is a bargain.  The buyer may wish to ensure that his father understands that he has a lifetime interest in the book before it reverts back.  I've bought a couple used books with moving inscriptions from the gifter.  Apparently the recipient didn't think enough of the books not to resell them for a couple of pennies on the dollar.


I do have a reprint of the subject.  Is the intangible value of a first printing the difference between the auction market price and what I could get for mine on eBay or Amazon?  I wonder what the Good Doctor would think.

[Greg Smith]

I've bought numerous books for my golf/GCA library -- well, let's just say economically -- that had nice inscriptions inside.  I am always prowling antique malls or even garage sales for such things.  In most cases I am under the impression that the recipient became deceased before letting go of the book, and then the volume got swept up in an estate sale because the children and/or executor didn't pay any attention. 

BTW, my (thrifty) wife would KILL me if she got wind that I spent $2600 on a single book.  Though … if it was a lot of, say, 15 volumes, each with some significant, defensible interest, I think I could talk her into putting the weapons away!

[PCCraig]

How much does 'The Life and Work of Dr. Alister MacKenzie' go for nowadays?


I might have to sell my copy shortly.

500 quid on Amazon right now!
Mind you there’s also a copy of Geoff S’s Cypress Point going for a Grand!!!
F.

Geez? Really? I have a copy upstairs. In great condition.


If someone really wants to pay $1000 for it, send me a DM. I’d donate the proceeds to GCA or charity.