Red Silvertown Gutta Percha Ball

This 1878 red Silvertown square mesh gutta percha ball is in excellent condition with quite a bit of its original paint. A red ball would have been used during the winter months since it was easier to keep track of than a white golf ball.

Silvertown golf balls of Woolwich, London had two periods of greatness. First, in the gutty ball era its innovations were directed by Dr Rollo Appleyard. Part of the India Rubber and Gutta Percha Co (later British Tire and Rubber) the Silvertown name applied to the gutty came from the part of London in which they were made. It became hugely influential again after the Haskell patent application was rejected in the UK. The leading light then was Albert E Penfold, the most important figure in British golf ball manufacture in the 20th century at Dunlop and at his own firm, who introduced the Silver King with a patent mesh cover.