Both of the Clapcott items were inscribed by the author to Cecil Hopkinson, author of Collecting Golf Books of 1938. In a torn dust wrapper, Hopkinson’s own copy of that first edition, interleaved with blank leaves and containing numerous notes suggesting that it may have been used in preparing for a revised second edition, was sold at £1250, but for another copy bound in brown leather and containing an inscription to the effect that it was one of just four specially bound pre-publication copies, and the one that he gave to his wife, bidding reached £4200.
An 1892 first edition of the Carnoustie Golf Links Bazaar Book, a presentation copy in full burgundy leather gilt, was sold at £2700, and an 1898 first of James Barrie’s Historical Sketch of the Hawick Golf Club, in red cloth gilt, reached £420.
One of 250 signed, deluxe presentation copies of the large paper edition of the Rev. John Kerr’s The Golf Book of East Lothian, was sold at £1600.
Golfing rarities by C.B. Clapcott
IN A July 15 Golfing Memorabilia sale held by Bonhams Chester (17.5/10% buyer's premium) a scarce copy of C.B. Clapcott’s The History of Handicapping, a 10pp booklet of c.1924, secured in cream card covers by now rusty staples, was sold at a ten-times-estimate £4000, and one of 500 limited edition copies of a 1935 book by Clapcott, Rules of the Ten Oldest Golf Clubs from 1754-1848, a near fine copy in glassine wrappers, reached £1350.
