Old Tom Morris was a true pioneer in the game of golf, winning the Open Championship four times at Prestwick, where all the early championships were played. After his second win in 1862, he was appointed Professional to the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews where he was affectionately known as “Keeper of the Greens.”

Old Tom Morris was almost invincible in match play; when partnered with his mentor Allan Robertson, he was never beaten. In addition to his own accomplishments, he was father to Tommy Morris, also a four time winner of the Open Championship. Young Tom and Old Tom still remain the youngest and oldest winners of the Open Championship to date.

Old Tom was associated with St Andrews until his death in 1908. In fact, he died a few months after sustaining injuries from falling down the stairs of the St. Andrews Golf Club. In recognition of his service, the R&A has incorporated his likeness on the face of the famous clubhouse’s clock tower as well as having his portrait on permanent display upon the clubhouse’s walls. Hence the reason that Old Tom’s autograph is considered one of the holy grails of any serious golf collection.

This archivally presented piece of history features a first generation photogravure from 1897. The Photograph was taken by H.J. Brooks and is the first published print ever done of a professional golfer. A photogravure is a photographic image produced from an engraving plate. The process is rarely used today due to the costs involved, but it produces prints which have the subtlety of a photograph and the art quality of a lithograph. In essence, the production of a photogravure consists of three steps: taking the picture; producing a printing plate of the image; and printing the image on paper. This print is signed in pen by Old Tom Morris and signed in pencil by photographer H.J. Brooks.