Argy58
Penfold (Penfold Golf Balls) Dunlop (Dunlop Golf Balls) c1930s
Two vintage promotional golfing badges from the 1930s promoting Penfold and Dunlop golf balls. Both characters also existed as large 3D papier-mâché point of sale promotional figurines that would have been displayed on the counters of golf professional shops.
Penfold Man c1930s
Sporting a dapper 'Tam O'Shanter' (Scottish bonnet), plus fours, matching jacket, red argyle sweater and red socks, Mr Penfold was the fictional figure that promoted the famous Penfold golf ball. This superbly detailed enamel lapel badge was a promotional item that was used when the Penfold golf ball was first introduced in the 1930s. The badge shows the fashionable golfing attire of the period; plus fours, knee socks and pullover sweater that often portrayed an interlocking diamond design. The plus fours allowed for greater freedom of movement and the style quickly became synonymous with the game of golf.
The man behind the Penfold golf ball was A.E. Penfold. He began his career with the Silvertown company where he was involved in golf ball development. In 1919 he joined Dunlop and designed the famous “Maxfli” ball (see below under Dunlop Caddie heading). In 1927, A.E. Penfold left Dunlop to form his own company, Golf Ball Developments Ltd, based at Bromford Lane, Ward End, Birmingham. It was here that he launched, in 1930, the first Penfold branded golf ball. Although priced higher than other golf balls of the period, Penfold golf balls became highly popular and were sold solely to and through golf professionals.
As well as the Penfold golf ball, Golf Ball Developments Ltd also introduced a Bromford ball, the name derived from their address in Bromford Lane. When golf players bought their Penfold or Bromford balls from golf professional shops, the counters would often have a large 3D papier-mâché point of sale promotional figurine of either Penfold Man or Bromford Man or both. Both Penfold Man and Bromford Man figures were available as enamel badges and this idea of marketing through sales counter promotional figurines and badges also involved other companies such as Dunlop. 3D counter figurines were also produced to promote North British Scottie, Silver King and Silver Queen golf balls.
Penfold golf balls were manufactured at Bromford Lane until the late 1990s. The Penfold ball attained movie star status when the Penfold Heart golf ball was used by 007 in the 1964 James Bond film Goldfinger. Bond's famous line, "Mine's the Penfold Heart!" was the catalyst for a major sales frenzy. The name Penfold still exists today as Penfold Golf Ltd; the company specialises in golfing accessories such as polos and knitwear and the logo used on their clothing is indeed a discreet, embroidered representation of Penfold Man - similar to the figure on the above badge. The company continues to market Penfold branded balls, golf gloves and golf bags.
Dunlop Caddie c1930s
This splendid caricature of a 'Dunlop Caddie' was a promotional badge available at golf professional shops in the 1930's and came with a backing card that read 'The Golfer's Symbol of Goof Luck. The head of the 'Dunlop Caddie' badge represents a golf ball and at the time this badge was sold in the 1930s, Dunlop was at the forefront of the golf ball market with its Maxfli and '65' branded golf balls. (A E Penfold who joined Dunlop in 1919 designed the renowned Maxfli ball; he left the company in 1927 to set up Golf Ball Developments Ltd at Bromford Lane, Ward End, Birmingham. It was here that he developed the Penfold and Bromford branded golf balls).
The famous Dunlop '65' golf ball debuted in 1934 to commemorate Henry Cotton's victory at the 1934 British Open at Royal St George's Golf Club. On his way to victory in this tournament, he shot a 65 (a record at the time), and the famous number became the 'face' of an iconic Dunlop golf ball and set the standard for quality golf balls for over half a century.
While this badge doesn't specifically mention the '65' by name, a large 3D papier-mâché point of sale promotional golf figurine (in a similar image to this badge), specifically advertised the '65' brand. In fact it wasn't uncommon for golf professional shops of the day to have the Dunlop Caddie Man, Penfold Man and Bromfield Man on the same counter promoting their line of golf balls. The above Dunlop badge while promoting 'Dunlop' also signposted to the recipient that playing with Dunlop golf balls or clubs would bring you better luck.
Photography, layout and design: Argy58
(This image also exists as a high resolution jpeg and tiff - ideal for a
variety of print sizes e.g. A4, A3, A2 and A1. The current uploaded
format is for screen based viewing only: 72pi)
Penfold (Penfold Golf Balls) Dunlop (Dunlop Golf Balls) c1930s
Two vintage promotional golfing badges from the 1930s promoting Penfold and Dunlop golf balls. Both characters also existed as large 3D papier-mâché point of sale promotional figurines that would have been displayed on the counters of golf professional shops.
Penfold Man c1930s
Sporting a dapper 'Tam O'Shanter' (Scottish bonnet), plus fours, matching jacket, red argyle sweater and red socks, Mr Penfold was the fictional figure that promoted the famous Penfold golf ball. This superbly detailed enamel lapel badge was a promotional item that was used when the Penfold golf ball was first introduced in the 1930s. The badge shows the fashionable golfing attire of the period; plus fours, knee socks and pullover sweater that often portrayed an interlocking diamond design. The plus fours allowed for greater freedom of movement and the style quickly became synonymous with the game of golf.
The man behind the Penfold golf ball was A.E. Penfold. He began his career with the Silvertown company where he was involved in golf ball development. In 1919 he joined Dunlop and designed the famous “Maxfli” ball (see below under Dunlop Caddie heading). In 1927, A.E. Penfold left Dunlop to form his own company, Golf Ball Developments Ltd, based at Bromford Lane, Ward End, Birmingham. It was here that he launched, in 1930, the first Penfold branded golf ball. Although priced higher than other golf balls of the period, Penfold golf balls became highly popular and were sold solely to and through golf professionals.
As well as the Penfold golf ball, Golf Ball Developments Ltd also introduced a Bromford ball, the name derived from their address in Bromford Lane. When golf players bought their Penfold or Bromford balls from golf professional shops, the counters would often have a large 3D papier-mâché point of sale promotional figurine of either Penfold Man or Bromford Man or both. Both Penfold Man and Bromford Man figures were available as enamel badges and this idea of marketing through sales counter promotional figurines and badges also involved other companies such as Dunlop. 3D counter figurines were also produced to promote North British Scottie, Silver King and Silver Queen golf balls.
Penfold golf balls were manufactured at Bromford Lane until the late 1990s. The Penfold ball attained movie star status when the Penfold Heart golf ball was used by 007 in the 1964 James Bond film Goldfinger. Bond's famous line, "Mine's the Penfold Heart!" was the catalyst for a major sales frenzy. The name Penfold still exists today as Penfold Golf Ltd; the company specialises in golfing accessories such as polos and knitwear and the logo used on their clothing is indeed a discreet, embroidered representation of Penfold Man - similar to the figure on the above badge. The company continues to market Penfold branded balls, golf gloves and golf bags.
Dunlop Caddie c1930s
This splendid caricature of a 'Dunlop Caddie' was a promotional badge available at golf professional shops in the 1930's and came with a backing card that read 'The Golfer's Symbol of Goof Luck. The head of the 'Dunlop Caddie' badge represents a golf ball and at the time this badge was sold in the 1930s, Dunlop was at the forefront of the golf ball market with its Maxfli and '65' branded golf balls. (A E Penfold who joined Dunlop in 1919 designed the renowned Maxfli ball; he left the company in 1927 to set up Golf Ball Developments Ltd at Bromford Lane, Ward End, Birmingham. It was here that he developed the Penfold and Bromford branded golf balls).
The famous Dunlop '65' golf ball debuted in 1934 to commemorate Henry Cotton's victory at the 1934 British Open at Royal St George's Golf Club. On his way to victory in this tournament, he shot a 65 (a record at the time), and the famous number became the 'face' of an iconic Dunlop golf ball and set the standard for quality golf balls for over half a century.
While this badge doesn't specifically mention the '65' by name, a large 3D papier-mâché point of sale promotional golf figurine (in a similar image to this badge), specifically advertised the '65' brand. In fact it wasn't uncommon for golf professional shops of the day to have the Dunlop Caddie Man, Penfold Man and Bromfield Man on the same counter promoting their line of golf balls. The above Dunlop badge while promoting 'Dunlop' also signposted to the recipient that playing with Dunlop golf balls or clubs would bring you better luck.
Photography, layout and design: Argy58
(This image also exists as a high resolution jpeg and tiff - ideal for a
variety of print sizes e.g. A4, A3, A2 and A1. The current uploaded
format is for screen based viewing only: 72pi)