Dealer in the swing as he sells 7000 golf clubs to one buyer
Edinburgh-based dealers Georgian Antiques have pulled off one of their more remarkable sales – 7000 hickory-shafted golf clubs to a Chinese businessman who found them when surfing the internet.
Edinburgh-based dealers Georgian Antiques have pulled off one of their more remarkable sales – 7000 hickory-shafted golf clubs to a Chinese businessman who found them when surfing the internet.Georgian Antiques, who carry a substantial stock of golfing antiques, including many rare clubs, acquired their mass of standard putters, drivers and irons piecemeal over a period of 12 years. All date from between 1890 and 1930 and include examples by every major Scottish clubmaker of the period.
Reluctant to see them picked over, John Dixon, pictured here, who has run the Leith dealership with his brother Padraig for 30 years, chose to offer them for sale only in batches of 1000. He had previously sold 4000 clubs in this manner.
The Chinese entrepreneur found Georgian Antiques, and their remarkable hoard, via the internet. He arrived in Edinburgh earlier this year with a small entourage (he did not speak a word of English) and spent hours inspecting every one of the 7000 clubs.
He spent £2000 on samples and the order for the entire haul arrived two weeks later. The price was £120,000 – or just over £17 per club. They are being shipped to China, bound as bundles of 20.
John Dixon, who is an avid golfer himself, believes the spectacular transaction is a lesson in patience when faced with a difficult trading environment.
See more at: www.antiquestradegazette.com