The Golfers Print Value Guide

Originally painted by Charles Lees in 1850, 'The Golfers' is a seminal work depicting a high-stakes match at the Old Course at St Andrews. This hand-colored engraving by Charles E. Wagstaffe is highly collectible because it serves as a visual census of 19th-century golf's most prominent dignitaries and players.

What Is The Golfers Print Worth?

The typical price range for The Golfers Print is $10,000 - $12,000 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• The vibrancy and preservation of the hand-applied colors significantly impact the $10,000-$12,000 valuation.
• Overall physical condition, including the absence of foxing, water damage, or significant fading from UV exposure.
• Provenance and the presence of an original 1850s wood frame can enhance the historical appeal and market price.
• The clarity of the engraving marks and the sharpness of the figures' details, which denote an early strike of the plate.

How to Identify The Golfers Print?

• Verify the engraver's credit to Charles E. Wagstaffe and the original artist credit to Charles Lees.
• Examine the paper for mid-19th century characteristics and authentic hand-applied coloring rather than modern mechanical reproduction.
• Check for the specific depiction of the Old Course at St Andrews featuring numerous identifiable historical figures observing a putt.
• Look for signs of age-appropriate wear on the original wood frame and glass if the piece remains in its period housing.

History of The Golfers Print

Originally painted by Charles Lees in 1850, 'The Golfers' captures a pivotal moment in Scottish golf history at the Old Course at St Andrews. The painting features many prominent golfers and dignitaries of the era, making it a significant historical document as well as a work of art. The print, engraved by Charles E. Wagstaffe, helped popularize the image globally, bringing the grandeur of early golf to a wider audience.