Lot 617: THE FIRST AMERICAN PATENT METALWOOD: A SLADE SPRING-FACE METALWOOD, CIRCA 1896, EX- DAVID LOW COLLECTION

Newton, Massachusetts, 19th century Aluminum alloy clubhead with wooden block set into face in front of hidden elastic material to provide spring face movement Wooden block secured by recessed screw in back of head Hickory shaft with leather grip Overall very good condition with only minor marks and wear to head; the spring face wooden block displays movement when pressed as intended.

TGC p. 77; TCA p. 287; TCA 2 Vol. 1 p. 343

In 1896 Edward Slade, of Newton, Massachusetts, received the first US patent to produce a metalwood. Featuring an aluminum alloy head with a wooden block set in the face, it was designed with a spring loaded face, achieved by inserting a piece of rubber or other elastic material behind the wooden face. A screw in the back of the head allowed the golfer to adjust the tension of the block face. This club was from the David Low collection and has his numbered paper label on the back of the shaft. This is the only Slade metalwood known to exist. Only one other adjustable spring face metalwood is known-- a single Wilford X2 metalwood also in this auction. For more clubs from the Low Collection, please see lots 205 and 219.