by Lorraine Syratt

Golf collectibles of all kinds are especially prized by those who take a swing at a ball on the fairway. Golfers love the feel and look of old wooden-shaft golf clubs, and the feather-filled or “gutty” (guttie), golf balls from the mid 19th century.

These are primary collectibles for golf memorabilia collectors.
Antique and vintage golf clubs most sought after by collectors are those with the wooden shaft, known as “early irons.”

They can date from the 19th century and were used well into the 1930’s. Prices can reach into the thousands of dollars for particularly rare clubs.

Golf clubs with steel shafts dating back to the 40’s are generally those that have staying power or have a classic traditional appearance to them. And for some golfers, these mid-century clubs are better quality than those made today and are often seen on the fairways.

The old feather-filled golf balls, popular in the mid-19th century had actually been the ball of choice since the early days of golf in the late 15th century.

The balls were not “light as a feather,” however. The feathers were packed tightly into the ball, making it hard enough to fly a good distance.

Collectors should look for a maker’s mark on old feather golf balls, and expect to pay hundreds of dollars or a thousand or more for just one.

The famous “gutty” followed the feather ball. It was made of gutta percha, the latex-like rubbery sap of Palaquium gutta, a tree grown primarily in Southeast Asia.

Balls with a rubber core were produced from the late 1800’s to the 1930’s and can usually be found for a minimum of $20. The old “gutties” can be found for about $100.

Some square-toe irons from the 1700’s can be worth more than $100,000 each and a Scottish golf pamphlet from the same era sells for over $50,000.

A little research before purchasing any expensive collectible is always recommended, and there are numerous resources on golf collectibles available in print and online.

BRAMBLE PATTERN: A Kempshall Arlington golf pall
with a guttie cover stamped “Pat. 17554, Aug. 15, 1898.”

Picture Butte, AB – Missy Stroeve, a young mother of five living in Picture Butte, Alberta, asked her sister if she could have an old dresser that was sitting in a bedroom for three years.

A gentleman acquaintance had found it left in an alley during spring cleanup. One of the drawers was ruined so he rebuilt the frame and refinished the entire exterior of the dresser.

“I asked her if I could repurpose it for our bathroom,” noted Stroeve. “She heartily agreed and passed it along.”

Stroeve and her husband Dave had a local handyman fit the interior of the drawers to house the plumbing and make the dresser into a bathroom vanity that could still be useful for toiletry storage.

“Everyone who sees it falls in love with the character of it,” she said. “I love it because it has a timeless elegance that can be modernized with any new faucet, sink and accessories.”

“It also speaks to the individuality of our design sense,” Stroeve continued, “and in a decorating culture where everyone tends to end up with the same stuff we treasure this one of a kind addition to our home.”

Stroeve’s currently working on restoring a large old farm window into an art piece, as well as a secretary’s desk that the couple will be using to house their laptop and other computer accessories in their kitchen.

by John Syratt

There will be 58 professional rodeos in Canada this year and 40 will be held in Alberta.

The biggest of them all has been going on since 1912. Over the years the iconic Calgary Stampede has created a feast for collectors looking for pieces of western history.Cowboy artifacts are almost as hot as the branding irons being sought after.

Coveted old west regalia and equipment include saddles and tack, bits, belt buckles, trophies, spurs, guns, chaps, branding irons, ribbons, toys, posters, tickets, programs, souvenirs and much more.

Calgary Stampede toy covered wagon and horses, 20” long. -photo by Steve Johnson

Posters are some of the most widely collected of all rodeo memorabilia. Their price depends on age, condition, color, and the artwork itself. Some common ones from the 20’s and 30’s can fetch up to $300.

An original 1923 Stampede poster, designed by Edward Borein, with good color and no major rips or water damage could bring $1,000-$2000. Be aware of reproductions (valued at $50), which will be marked in the lower right corner.

Vintage Stampede items recently sold online include:

- a 1951 Calgary Stampede terry-cloth towel for $10,

- an original photo of Roy Rogers at the Stampede Parade for $84,

- a 1990’s Stampede belt buckle for $21,

- a Hycroft china Stampede cowboy hat ashtray for $10,

- a 1912 Stampede parade original photographic postcard for $120,

- a 1969 Stampede Proof Silver Medal for $19,

- a 1931 Stampede pinback button (poor condition) for $3,

- a 1945 Stampede Poster for $400 and,

- a 1976 Stampede poster for $35.