John Laidlay Bronze Statue c 1890
In the world of golf sculpture, statuary’s Holy Grail is often considered to be the painted bronze of John Laidlay c. 1890 based on its appeal and rarity.
Laidlay was a top golfer of the era having won the British Amateur in 1889, and 1891, was runner-up in 1888, 1890 and 1893 and also runner-up in the British Open in 1893.
Significantly, todays nearly ubiquitous “Vardon Grip” was learned by Vardon from Laidlay, who is widely credited as having invented the overlapping grip, though even Laidlay recounts that he started using it in 1890 or 1891 in adapted form after seeing an unnamed amateur from Muirfield with an unusual grip. In a letter dated 1939, Laidlay writes that “it was looked on as most foolish for a good young golfer to have done it” and “that it caused much amusement which I did not mind, and felt it unlikely any golfer would copy”. In regard to his precise overlapping grip, “Personally, I have not the least doubt that I was the first person to use the grip.”
after he “adapted it” from an unnamed amateur from Muirfield. In a letter dated 1939, Laidlay writes that he is uncertain as to the date that he began using it, but “…it was looked on as most foolish for a good young golfer to have done it” and “that it caused much amusement which I did not mind and felt it unlikely any golfer would copy”. He later played with Vardon and observed that Vardon had not yet adapted it. In regard to the precise overlapping grip, “Personally, I have not the least doubt that I was the first person to use the grip.”
Note that the photo (top) has Laidlay using the overlapping grip, but that the highly detailed grip of the stature still has him using a ten finger in the palms grip, presumably before his conversion.
The piece is a striking example of the work of artist G. Gonella of Dundee given it is a polychrome having painted elements which was essentially an unheard-of practice in the 19th century. It is signed by the artist including the #3 in the far corner. Only one other such piece is known to exist and is numbered 4, with the expectation that perhaps as few as four were ever produced.
It is 16 1/2″ tall and weighs 12 pounds.
(Current value – $30,000).