FIRST EDITION OF DOWN THE FAIRWAY, INSCRIBED AND SIGNED BY BOBBY JONES

JONES, Robert T., Jr. and KEELER, O.B. Down the Fairway: The Golf Life and Play of Robert T. Jones, Jr. New York: Minton, Balch, 1927. Octavo, original green and yellow cloth gilt, uncut. Housed in a custom clamshell box. $9000.

First trade edition of what many collectors consider the greatest golf book of the 20th century, illustrated with 37 stop-action photographs, inscribed and signed on the front flyleaf "Sincerely yours, Robert T. Jones Jr."

The great Bobby Jones, winner of 13 major championships and founder of the Augusta National Golf Course and the Masters tournament, "left an enduring legacy of athletic prowess and exemplary personal characteristics. No one is likely to break his records of thirteen U.S. and British national championships, and four in one year (he won the U.S. Open a total of four times, the U.S. Amateur five times, the British Open three times, and the British Amateur one time)… The Masters seems to have a secure place in the pantheon of golf; and the name Bobby Jones will continue to represent the highest standards of amateurism, sportsmanship and self-mastery" (ANB). This first trade edition of Jones' autobiography, written when he was only 25 years old, was preceded by a signed limited edition of only 300 copies. Without scarce original dust jacket. Donovan & Murdoch 22740. Inscribed in another hand above Jones' inscription, "To David J. O'Connell"

Minor spotting to first few leaves; a bit of faint soiling to spine. A lovely, near-fine copy, scarce and desirable inscribed.