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Page 20 The Antique Shoppe February, 2017
Modern golf is thought to have started in
wHAT iS THiS? 1457 in Scotland. But even before that, golf-
like games were played in the time of Julius
Caesar (born 100 B.C.) and the Song Dynasty
(960 to 1279 A.D.)
Golf balls in the 1400s were carved
By: Mike McLeod from beech wood. Less than satisfactory in
trajectory, featheries (leather balls stuffed with
feathers) replaced the wooded balls in the
1700s. Then golf ball technology progressed
through gutta-percha made from the sap
Before electric razors and before shaving cream and of the sapodilla tree to a core wound with
Gillette razors, there were straight razors and wet shaving rubber, and today to two-piece, three-piece
with lather. Hot, moist towels were applied before the and four-pieces balls and so. Nub to dimples
straight razor to soften the skin and whiskers. Often, on golf balls is another story.
another hot towel was applied afterwards, just because it So what does this contraption have to do
felt good. with golf?
Almost every barbershop in the old days had a steamer Today, golf balls must be marked to identify
for heating up towels. The one pictured here has been the owner because, according to the rules, if
professionally polished and looks almost pristine. It sold on you can’t identify your ball, it is considered lost,
eBay for $2,500 in 2016.
and the player will receive a one-stroke penalty.
Balls were also marked, in the early days, so
A towel steamer. Courtesy of eBay seller tootreed
lost balls could be returned to the owner.
For these reasons, this ball-marking machine
was on the market in the early 1900s. It was
made by “Omnes Maker Co of Birmingham,”
and it still bears the name stamp of
“J. Eustace”. It measures just over
six inches high when the handle is
unscrewed all the way.
Golfauction.com also sold an An Omnes
golf ball
Omnes Golf Ball Marker, but this one marker.
had a dial with letters and numbers (Photos
on it and a press-down handle courtesy of
for imprinting balls with names or eBay seller
numbers—sort of like a golf ball wwolst12)
typewriter. Numbers were issued by
golf courses to players to simplify the
marking process and to aid in the returning of lost balls. That machine sold in 2014 for
$258.75. The Omnes Maker pictured here sold for $270.67 on eBay in 2016. There were
Featherie golf balls. Courtesy of Geni 20 bids on it from 12 bidders.

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Ridgewood Ave
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17
New York Ave 44 I-95 1 44 Daytona Beach, FL 32114
600 249 44 Canal 3 Edgewater
15 Riverside Dr 386-252-3033
10th St A1A
W Park Ave Mon-Fri 11-5, Sat 10-5, Sun 12-5
beachstreetmall.com 2
Indian River Blvd
442
NSB ANTIQUE MALL
Quality Vintage & Mid-Century Furniture Coronado Antiques
Art - Vintage Toys - Estate Jewelry & Collectibles Mall
From New Smyrna’s Oldest Antique Shop 1433 South Dixie Freeway
419 Canal Street • 386-426-7825 New Smyrna Shopping Center - (US 1 South)
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386-428-3331
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