Raynors 2012-09
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/27/2012
John Davison Rockefeller (July 8, 1839 - May 23, 1937) was an American industrialist and philanthropist. He was the founder of the Standard Oil Company, which dominated the oil industry and was the first great U.S. business trust. Rockefeller revolutionized the petroleum industry and defined the structure of modern philanthropy. In 1870, he founded the Standard Oil Company and aggressively ran it until he officially retired in 1897. As kerosene and gasoline grew in importance, Rockefeller's wealth soared, and he became the world's richest man and first American worth more than a billion dollars. Adjusting for inflation, he is often regarded as the richest person in history. In 1918 Rockefeller purchased a large estate in Ormond Beach, Florida named "The Casements". He would winter down at this estate, with the game of golf taking up the majority of his time. He entertained and played this most frustrating game with a variety of well known businessmen and entertainers, from tire magnate Harvey Firestone to American icon Will Rogers. Rockefeller was not considered a great golfer, but a "good" golfer, routinely shooting in the mid 80's. On December 30, 1932 Rockefeller played at the Ormond Hotel Golf Course, wearing this light weight cloth vest. After 3 holes he gave this vest / jacket to his caddie. In period ink the caddie inscribed the following: "Mr. John D. Rockefeller, Senior Wore this jacket to golf, took it off and gave it to me at the end of the third hole. Ormond Hotel Golf Course Dec. 30, 1932". One can image that Rockefeller, being in his early 90's at this time, would only play a few holes before retiring back to his mansion. This vest came out of an estate on the south shore in Massachusetts earlier this year. The estate representative stated that the former caddie, who had moved back to Massachusetts, proudly showed it off at family gathering's, and to visiting friends. The family stored it away after his death several years ago. The vest has a light weight cloth outer shell, and a heavy paper interior to absorb perspiration. The vest is in excellent condition, still retaining it's original ties. A great opportunity for the collector of golf and/or financial artifacts, or any collector seeking to own a piece owned by one of the icons of American history.
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