A HICKORY-SHAFTED BOBBY JONES "CALAMITY JANE" PUTTER, EARLY 1930s

A rustless smooth-faced blade



Reverse stamped "Spalding Kro-flite" with their flying bird cleekmark



Additionally stamped "/ Calamity Jane / Rustless" and engraved with the autograph of Robert T. Jones Jr.



Hickory shaft with leather grip

TCA p. 124; TCA 2 Vol. 1 p. 146

Overall excellent condition with little wear. Please note that most lots describe a basic overall condition status. Please note that it is the nature of this type of memorabilia to be in excellent or very good condition and still have some age wear. To request individual detailed condition reports, please contact Lisa Ladish or Kevin Schwartz in Sotheby's Collectibles Department.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Advertised as an "exact replica" of  the" Calamity Jane II putter that Jones used to win his last ten major championships, this club was first produced by Spalding in 1931. The first Calamity Jane putter was given to Jones in the early 1920s by Jim Maiden, head professional at Nassau Country Club in Glen Cove and brother of Stewart, who was the pro at Jones's home club, East Lake in Atlanta. Jones complained that he was putting poorly, and at the end of the round, Jim Maiden said he had a putter that he named "Calamity Jane" that Jones might like to use. Jones tried it out, loved the feel of it, and in 1923 won the US Open at Inwood in a playoff with Bobby Cruickshank. The putter was retired in 1926 when excessive polishing to the club's "sweet spot" produced a slight indentation on the striking surface of the club. The original Calamity Jane II was given to the USGA by Jones in 1938.