Question Hi John: I found in an old collection of golf balls that my father had, these were unused still rapped balls made by The Silvertown Co. of London. They look very old the ball is called Black Line Mesh Silver King. On the box it says they were made for John Wanamaker store of Philadelphia. Any info on these balls will be greatly appreciated.
John if you do not have info for me do you know someone that could help me.
Thanks Bill Gaston
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AnswerHey Bill,
I'm sorry to say I'm not much of an expert on old golf balls. Here's what I could find out. John Wanamaker was one of the pioneers of retail department stores in America, opening his first store in 1861. When he died in 1922 his estate was valued at over $100 million. His son, Lewis Rodman Wanamaker was instrumental in the forming of the PGA of America. He put up the purse (less than $3000) for the initial PGA championship in 1916, and provided the trophy as well. To this day, the Wanamaker trophy is hoisted by the winner of the PGA Championship. I don't know what the value of the balls could be, but it's a neat story and you have a collectible that, at least in namesake, ties itself to the very beginnings of professional golf in the United States. Pretty cool, huh?
Hope this helps,
John Bunch
