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File: Update 2010
The „Fortissimo“ on the cover:<br />
Translated letter (original in German) from Kurt Klemmer to the author:<br />
The Original!<br />
....so all began!<br />
The Fortissimo is the wordwide first oversize racket which was made by Snauweart &<br />
Depla in Belgium following the insights and the ideas of Kurt Klemmer in his quest for<br />
strings of the same length as used in diagonally strung rackets.<br />
The Fortissimo was exhibited at the Sportartikelmesse (Spoga), Cologne, in October<br />
1972.<br />
It was given as a present to Mr. Siegfried Kuebler, Überlingen, founder of the private<br />
German Tennisracket Museum.<br />
Haßloch, April 1993<br />
Files used for this book (Update 2010)<br />
Umschlag<br />
001 Titel<br />
01 Update 2010ee<br />
02 American2010ee<br />
03 Australian 2010 ee<br />
04 English 2010 bis Jefferies ee<br />
05 English 2010 bis Lawson ee<br />
06 German 2010 bis Hopp ee<br />
07 German 2010 ab Horaz<br />
08 French 2010 ee<br />
09 Italian 2010 ee<br />
10 Various 2010 ee Nikonow<br />
11 Bespannungen 2010 Gurneyee<br />
12 Presses 2010 Gurney ee<br />
13 Titel<br />
Su mUmschl.Nov.2020
supersedes and includes all Updates published earlier<br />
dedicated to<br />
Regine Kuebler<br />
Only seventy copies were printed of this second edition.<br />
This Update 2010 is therefore in itself a valuable collectible book.<br />
Each one is autographed by the author.<br />
No changes have been made to the first edition except for the cover.<br />
Siegfried Kuebler<br />
Ll Aa Nn<br />
imitierte uflage r. von 70<br />
Update 2010 (revised Nov. 2020)
Book of Tennis Rackets<br />
Update<br />
This UPDATE would not have been possible without the contributions of the<br />
ladies and gentlemen listed below:<br />
Ted a‘Beckett, Lismore, Victoria, Australia<br />
Clark Benson, Lake Ridge, VA – U.S.A.<br />
Glenn A. Björkman, Hindsdale, IL 605<strong>22</strong>, U.S.A.<br />
Theo Bollerman, Den Haag, Netherlands<br />
Lionel Bradford, – England<br />
Jürgen Bundschuh, – Germany<br />
Hans von Buxhoeveden, – Chesterfield, Mo. – U.S.A.<br />
Gianni Clerici, Como – Italy<br />
David Cornwell, – New Zealand<br />
Randy Crow, – U.S.A.<br />
Peter Distin, Bletchworth, Surrey – England<br />
Lee Draisin, Martinez, CA – U.S.A.<br />
Dariusz Duleba, Poland<br />
Christopher and Sue Elks, Wythall, Birmingham – England<br />
Michel Guilluy, – Arlon, Belgium<br />
Gerald Gurney, Guildhall, Great Bromley, Colchester,Essex – England<br />
Ron Halberg, Chatham, Ill. – U.S.A.<br />
Chuck Hoey, Elizabeth, Pa. – U.S.A.<br />
Tim Hooley, Vancouver BC. – Canada<br />
Urs Peter Inderbitzin, Luzern – Switzerland<br />
Maurice Jacobs, England<br />
Rolf Jäger, Costa Mesa, Ca. – U.S.A.<br />
Robert H. Jordan, King of Prussia, Pa. – U.S.A.<br />
Adrian Keats, Newtown – Victoria Australia<br />
Thiago Medeiros, – Sao Paulo, Brazil<br />
Rodney Lack, Australia<br />
Herfried Lammer, Kennelbach – Austria<br />
Dr. Heiner Kerling, Bamberg – Germany<br />
Rich McCormack, – U.S.A.<br />
Thiago Medeiros, Sao Paulo, Brazil<br />
Walter Montenegro, – U.S.A.<br />
Tom Paton, – Australia<br />
Aldo Romeo, Cincinnati, Ohio – U.S.A.<br />
Giuseppe Russotto, Milano – Italy<br />
Michael Searle, Oxford – England<br />
“Ein herzlichesDankeschön” to Mr. Gerald Gurney for proofreading this Update<br />
This Update 2010 is limited to 50 copies. They are marked with sequential numbers starting with 1 and<br />
ending with 50. Each copy is autographed by the author. Modern Laser printing capabilities make it<br />
possible to produce this booklet at a price which is still affordable despite such a low circulation.<br />
It is therefore not only a valuable source of information on the never-ending story of collectable tennis<br />
rackets but also a collectable item itself.<br />
© Copyright 2010 by Siegfried Kuebler – D 88662 Überlingen – Zur Grundel 18 – Germany<br />
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or<br />
transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or<br />
otherwise, without the prior written permission of the copyright-holder.<br />
4
Book of Tennis Rackets Contents of Update<br />
Contents of the Update 2010<br />
to the “Book of Tennis Rackets”, published in 2000<br />
Update<br />
The Evolution of the Tennis Racket<br />
French racket estimated from the early 18th century<br />
Racket used by Joseph Barcellon Père, Tennis Player. Paumier du Roi 1753<br />
Excerpt from the “American Agriculturist” Out-Door Games – Lawn Tennis, approx. 1880<br />
Which were the last wooden rackets made and offered by major manufacturers?<br />
The Age of a Tennis Racket<br />
Rackets with a laminated throat-piece (wedge)<br />
Ratings, Restoration, and Exhibition of Rackets<br />
Where to keep rackets?<br />
Technical Tables and Terminology of Racket Components<br />
Christopher Elks: The Cavendish Rules of 1886<br />
Materials:<br />
Ebonite – Vulcanite (Hard rubber)<br />
Vulcan Fibre or Vulcanised Fibre<br />
Patents of Tennis Rackets and Accessories<br />
Additional US Patents<br />
Australian Patents<br />
Additional English Patents<br />
Miscellanies<br />
Photodecal Picture Rackets<br />
Definitions by Randy Crow.<br />
Rackets in the possession<br />
of Hans von Buxhoeveden,<br />
of Dr. Heiner Kerling<br />
and of other collectors were added to the tables.<br />
New photographs were added.<br />
New tables are shown to substitute the tables on page 608 and 609.<br />
Appendix<br />
Real Tennis – The game from which Lawn Tennis was devised<br />
The Biggest Racket so far made – Guinness Book of Records<br />
The Colourful World of Vibration Dampers<br />
Sporting Goods Stores<br />
Main section<br />
Rackets and their Manufacturers<br />
American Rackets<br />
Australian Rackets<br />
English Rackets<br />
German Rackets<br />
French Rackets<br />
Italian Rackets<br />
Rackets from other countries:<br />
Austria/Belgium/Canada/Czechoslovakia/<br />
India/Italy/Japan/Korea/Netherlands/<br />
No Name/Pakistan/Russia/South America/<br />
Switzerland/Taiwan<br />
Racket Presses<br />
Stringing Patterns and Systems<br />
Auction Houses<br />
Please add to the addresses on page 6<br />
in the Book:<br />
Kahn-Dumousset<br />
9, rue Drouot<br />
75009 Paris/France<br />
5
Book of Tennis Rackets Evolution<br />
Update<br />
Additional information to page 15:<br />
The Evolution of the Tennis Racket<br />
Presumably French racket, circa early 18th century? In the possession of<br />
Maurice Jacobs, British Tennis Empire a.d. (July 2005).<br />
Additional information to page 18:<br />
The Evolution of the Tennis Racket<br />
Racket used by<br />
Joseph Barcellon Père, Tennis Player. Paumier du<br />
Roi 1753.<br />
The racket in the hand of the player is only about 15<br />
years older than the racket described in full detail by<br />
de Garsault in 1768. It shows a slightly flat-topped<br />
head with a concave wedge, which is bound (by<br />
leather strips?) additionally to the shoulders of the<br />
frame. It has a leather wrapped handle similar to the<br />
Garsault racket.<br />
6
Book of Tennis Rackets Evolution<br />
Update<br />
Please add to page 23:<br />
The Evolution of the Tennis Racket<br />
Excerpt from the “American Agriculturist” page 195, 1880:<br />
Out-Door Games – Lawn Tennis<br />
The Racquettes, or bats are regarded as the most important parts of the<br />
outfit. They look like a highly civilized, long-heeled and rather one-sided<br />
snowshoe. Some styles are of different coloured woods and highly<br />
polished.<br />
Comment by the author: Please note the two types of rackets in the box,<br />
one pair being lopsided the other pair of almost symmetrical shape.<br />
Both styles were in use.<br />
Approx. 1880<br />
Please add to page 24:<br />
The Evolution of the Tennis<br />
Racket<br />
Which were the last wooden<br />
rackets made and offered by major<br />
manufacturers?<br />
Wooden laminated rackets with a<br />
traditional standard hitting area and<br />
laminations running perpendicular to<br />
the face of the racket (such as the<br />
Dunlop “Maxply”):<br />
1984: Wilson Jack Kramer Autograph<br />
1985: Wilson Chris Evert Autograph<br />
1985: Dunlop McEnroe Autograph<br />
1985: Donnay Borg Pro<br />
1986: Snauwaert Gottfried Autograph<br />
Wooden rackets with larger hitting<br />
areas (25 to 50% larger), usually with<br />
laminations running parallel to the face<br />
of the racket and reinforced with fibres<br />
or even metal, were made even later.<br />
Since they were painted completely it<br />
is often difficult to determine the<br />
wooden core.<br />
Some examples:<br />
1987: Prince Woodie 110 (50% larger)<br />
1987: Snauwaert Ergonom 2 Midsize,<br />
head offset to the axis of the racket.<br />
1987: Snauwaert Lady, 25% larger,<br />
reinforced with fibres.<br />
7
Book of Tennis Rackets The Age of a Tennis Racket<br />
Update<br />
Please replace the drawing on the top of page 50 in the book<br />
Snauwaert:<br />
Gottfried Autograph, 1986<br />
The last laminated wooden, standard size<br />
tennis racket made by a known brand name<br />
tennis racket manufacturer?<br />
Ratings, Restoration, and Exhibition of Rackets<br />
Additional information to page 46, Where to keep rackets?<br />
Not only rackets are often exhibited but also paintings and etchings. Please observe the following recommendations:<br />
No direct sunlight, no direct lighting, use UV protection films (or such glass) on windows. No exterior walls, no nearby<br />
sources of heat, no excessive moisture, no excessive dust should be allowed. Keep the paintings upright and never<br />
let anyone touch the surface of the paintings.<br />
Use for lighting incandescent lights if possible but not too close to the bulbs which radiate heat. Fluorescent bulbs<br />
should be avoided.<br />
Paintings should be placed behind UV filtering glass. This also helps to avoid infestation from insects directly on the<br />
painting’s surface.<br />
8
Book of Tennis Rackets Ratings, Restoration, and Exhibition<br />
Update<br />
The Age of a Tennis Racket<br />
New information to page 36, “The<br />
Throat-Piece” (wedge):<br />
Rackets with a laminated throat-piece<br />
A closer look at William Richey’s US<br />
Patent No. 779,184, applied for Feb. 9,<br />
1904 and granted January 3, 1905<br />
(please consult page 516 in the Book),<br />
revealed that only a certain<br />
construction of laminated wedges was<br />
patented and it can be well assumed<br />
that other laminated wedges existed<br />
long before the patent’s application<br />
date. Therefore the assumption that<br />
rackets with laminated wedges should<br />
be dated later than 1904 cannot be<br />
maintained any longer.<br />
To demonstrate what is meant by<br />
Richley’s patent a close-up<br />
photograph is shown as an example.<br />
Rackets made accordingly are<br />
therefore most likely made after 1904.<br />
Part of the patent drawing is shown<br />
below. The lamination strips can be<br />
made in different manners. Fig. 3 and<br />
Fig. 4 are two variations of the<br />
invention. Any strips without the<br />
edges pointing up must have been<br />
known and used before and after the<br />
date of Richley’s patent.<br />
The second close-up photograph<br />
shows the laminated wedge of a<br />
Horsman racket, which is not made to<br />
Richley’s patent.<br />
There is no extension of the<br />
laminations to be seen upwards into<br />
the rackets frame. This construction<br />
has been presumably been used long<br />
before Richley’s patent.<br />
First close up photograph<br />
Second close up photograph<br />
edges pointing up<br />
Two lamination strips,<br />
one enhanced in bright colour.<br />
Victor Sporting Goods Co. racket, the Oxford, c. 1908, is clearly made to<br />
Richley’s patent. It can easily be seen that the lamination strips extend into<br />
the frame above the point at which the wedge joins the side-forming strip.<br />
This is the main patent claim.<br />
Horsman racket, Clermont, made c.<br />
1912. Its laminated wedge is not made<br />
according to any patent yet known.<br />
9
Book of Tennis Rackets Technical Tables and Terminology<br />
Update<br />
Additional information to page 49 and<br />
50:<br />
Technical Tables and<br />
Terminology of Racket<br />
Components<br />
Terminology:<br />
Fellow collector Christopher Elks<br />
provided the following information<br />
with regard to the naming of the parts<br />
of a racket shown in the drawing on<br />
page 50 of the book. He writes:<br />
“I have made you a photocopy<br />
because some of the terminology was<br />
quite new to me.”<br />
Excerpt from<br />
“The Cavendish Rules of 1886”:<br />
“The racket should be of the shape<br />
shown in the annexed cut:<br />
It should be 27 in. long, and should<br />
weigh about 14 1/2 oz.<br />
The frame should be of well seasoned<br />
ash, the stringing of good catgut. The<br />
portion marked A is called the head;<br />
the face (i.e., the part of the head<br />
which is strung), should be about 11<br />
in. long (or including the centrepiece<br />
down to the neck, 13 in. long), and<br />
about 8 3/4 in. at its widest part,<br />
outside measurement. The piece<br />
marked B is called the neck; it should<br />
be about 4 in. long. The remainder,<br />
marked C, is called the legs (before<br />
the centrepiece is inserted). The legs<br />
should be about 10 in. long. With the<br />
centrepiece, this portion is called the<br />
handle. At the free end of the handle<br />
a piece of leather should be fixed to<br />
prevent the racket from slipping out<br />
of the hand.”<br />
Racket according to “The Cavendish Rules of 1886”<br />
Materials:<br />
Ebonite – Vulcanite<br />
Hard rubber. This material can be<br />
considered as a material halfway<br />
between plastic and natural rubber.<br />
During the prolonged vulcanisation<br />
process, 30-40% sulphur is added to<br />
the mass. This is an extension of the<br />
technique used to manufacture car<br />
tyres, only with more sulphur and heat<br />
being applied. The result is ‘Ebonite<br />
or Vulcanite’ which is hard and rigid.<br />
Both names are correct. There seems<br />
to be a small difference between the<br />
two in their chemical compositions. In<br />
Europe the term ‘Ebonite’ is more<br />
common, in the U.S.A. the term<br />
‘Vulcanite’ is usually applied. It has a<br />
bright and shiny appearance with a<br />
black or sometimes reddish colour<br />
depending on the pigments added. In<br />
the past it was used e.g. for telephone<br />
receivers, electrical insulators,<br />
chemical resistant linings, cigarette<br />
cases, combs, buttons, jewellery,<br />
fountain pens, musical instruments,<br />
denture plates and sometimes<br />
(although rarely) also for the heart<br />
pieces of rackets. Its main<br />
disadvantage is the fact that it can<br />
discolour with exposure to air and<br />
water turning to a chocolate brown<br />
colour. It can also get brittle when<br />
exposed to direct sunlight.<br />
Charles Goodyear from the U.S.A. had<br />
discovered the vulcanisation of<br />
natural rubber with sulphur about<br />
1839.<br />
Vulcan Fibre<br />
(or Vulcanised Fibre)<br />
The basic paper is made from cotton<br />
material, processed to release the cellulose<br />
fibres. This paper is immersed<br />
in a bath of zinc chloride, which<br />
softens the fibres until they are gelatinous.<br />
Rinsing in water leaches out the<br />
zinc chloride. Multiple paper sheets<br />
with their gelatinous surfaces will then<br />
be bonded together by pressing and<br />
application of heat.<br />
A common thickness of the stripes<br />
obtained by this process used as layers<br />
in laminated rackets is about 0,2 to<br />
0,6 mm.<br />
Vulcanised fibre in different colours<br />
was popular in rackets from the 1930’s<br />
to the end of the wooden racket era in<br />
the 1980’s.<br />
It is questionable if this material added<br />
to the strength of a laminated racket.<br />
Wooden laminations of the same thickness<br />
were probably just as strong.<br />
In the 1940’s coloured wood layers<br />
were used in rackets (Cortland US-<br />
Patent No. 2 147 587, of Feb. 14, 1939).<br />
Sometimes it is impossible to determine<br />
by viewing if the layers are made<br />
of vulcanised fibre or coloured wood.<br />
Very thin layers 0,2 to 0,35 mm were<br />
most likely been made of vulcanised<br />
fibre.<br />
10
Book of Tennis Rackets US Patents<br />
Additional US Patents<br />
not covered in the book:<br />
1939:<br />
2 165 701<br />
Application filed November 26, 1938<br />
Patented July 11, 1939<br />
Racket<br />
6 claims<br />
Abstract: ...the main strings extend<br />
through the throat piece into the upper<br />
part of the handle where they are<br />
secured...<br />
Inventor: Henry Goerke, New York,<br />
N.Y.<br />
Update<br />
1944:<br />
2 339393<br />
Application filed July 19, 1940<br />
Patented Jan. 18, 1944<br />
Strengthened Playing Racket<br />
3 claims<br />
Abstract: ...a playing racket with a<br />
bow joining with the throat member in<br />
corner portions where wooden<br />
strengthening members extend across<br />
said corners the grain of which running<br />
substantially perpendicular to the<br />
grain of the underlying bow and throat<br />
members...<br />
Inventor: Horace W. Hall, Newton<br />
Mass.<br />
1940:<br />
2 206 548<br />
Application filed June 17, 1939<br />
Patented July 2, 1940<br />
Racket<br />
6 claims<br />
Abstract: ...the endless strings are led<br />
around means in the frame (e.g. rollers)<br />
and passed through the throat piece<br />
into the upper part of the handle where<br />
they may be slung around the opening<br />
of a tightening bolt in order to adjust<br />
the tension of the strings...<br />
Inventor: Henry Goerke, New York,<br />
N.Y.<br />
1940:<br />
2 201 263<br />
Application filed July 28, 1938<br />
Patented May 21, 1940<br />
Playing Racket<br />
8 claims<br />
Abstract: ...a playing racket with a<br />
handle with cover pieces (flakes) on<br />
both sides terminating at a substantial<br />
distance from the throat having one<br />
or more wooden reinforcing plates<br />
beyond these cover pieces the grain<br />
of which running substantially across<br />
said handle...<br />
Inventor: Horace W. Hall, Newton<br />
Mass.<br />
11
Book of Tennis Rackets US Patents<br />
Please add the picture below to<br />
page 530.<br />
US Patent 1 539 019, applied for in<br />
Feb. 7, 1924<br />
Update<br />
Please add to patent No. 5 183 260 on<br />
page 594:<br />
5 183 260<br />
Application filed Jan. 31, 1992<br />
Patented Feb. 2, 1993<br />
5 claims<br />
Tennis Racket<br />
Abstract: A tennis racket with two<br />
handles angled from the racket head<br />
with an angle of ten to forty degrees.<br />
The handles are mounted onto the<br />
throat of the racket parallel to one<br />
another. The player grips the racket<br />
with two hands in a comfortable manner<br />
and allows him to hit the ball out<br />
in front of his body.<br />
Inventor: Elie B. Kheir,<br />
2825 Downing Cir., Birmingham, Ala.<br />
The design of this racket was way ahead of its time. The weight is only 12 oz.,<br />
with the centre of gravity measured from the butt end 16 instead of the<br />
conventional 13 inches. It was claimed that the racket developed a striking<br />
force only comparable to a much heavier racket weighing 14 oz.<br />
The racket was built to demonstrate the feasibility of this interesting invention.<br />
Please add the picture below to<br />
page 574.<br />
US Patent 3 647 211, applied for in<br />
June 8, 1970<br />
Remark by the author:<br />
A racket of this design with the name<br />
Inova was distributed in the mid 1990’s.<br />
This design refers to a changing flexibility along the length of the racket, which<br />
is made of plastic. This idea was taken up in many racket developments in the<br />
decades to come. The T-shaped head cross-section has apertures for the<br />
strings. The racket was constructed to comply with the original patent.<br />
12
Book of Tennis Rackets Australian Patents<br />
Australian Patents<br />
This section was contributed by<br />
Adrian Keats, Newtown, Victoria,<br />
Australia, Oct. 2001<br />
1921<br />
2594/21<br />
Date of application: 12th July, 1921<br />
Accepted: 7th June, 19<strong>22</strong><br />
Improvements in the construction of<br />
rackets for tennis and other like<br />
games<br />
Abbreviated claim:...we form the rim<br />
of the racket entirely from thin strips<br />
of wood or other flexible material that<br />
are glued or otherwise secured tightly<br />
together. The strips are long enough<br />
to extend downwardly from the rim<br />
and to lie against the core of the handle,<br />
thus forming part thereof. The<br />
handle proper is therefore much<br />
smaller than the ordinary handle, and<br />
is flared outwardly at the top where it<br />
enters the rim, the joints being<br />
reinforced in the usual way…<br />
Inventors: Alfred Alexander Jr.,<br />
Technical School Instructor, and<br />
Douglas Davey Alexander,<br />
Carpenter, both of Elphin Road,<br />
Launceston, Tasmania.<br />
1926<br />
4652/26<br />
Date of application:<br />
24th November, 1926<br />
Accepted: <strong>22</strong>nd November, 1927<br />
Improved tennis racket and process<br />
for manufacturing same<br />
Abbreviated claim: … relates to an<br />
improved process for the manufacture<br />
of rackets for tennis and other like<br />
games whereby rackets can be<br />
manufactured more cheaply and<br />
quickly than by the usual process and,<br />
moreover, a racket is obtained the rim<br />
or frame of which is less liable to split<br />
or warp while a standard or uniform<br />
weight can be secured without the<br />
necessity of planing down the<br />
wooden frame to obtain a correct<br />
weight or balance…the rim and handle<br />
core are fashioned from a plurality<br />
of superimposed thin wooden strips<br />
or laths which, when glued together,<br />
are cramped around a former in a dry<br />
state and before the glue has set to<br />
form the said rim and handle core… by<br />
bending the superimposed strips or<br />
laths to the shape of the rim and handle<br />
core while the glue between the<br />
opposing surfaces thereof is still warm<br />
or unset… the said strips or laths<br />
readily conform to the requisite shape<br />
without splitting and take a permanent<br />
and standard form when the glue<br />
has set…The features of this<br />
invention allow for mass production<br />
Update<br />
of rackets and dispense to a great<br />
extent with skilled labour…<br />
Inventors: The Alexander Patent Racket<br />
Company Limited,<br />
Launceston, Tasmania.<br />
1945<br />
129,588<br />
Date of application:<br />
21st December, 1945<br />
Accepted: 21st October, 1948<br />
Improvements relating to the handles<br />
of tennis rackets and the like<br />
13
Book of Tennis Rackets Australian Patents<br />
Abbreviated claim: …the hollow handle<br />
is closed by a wooden dowel at the<br />
outer end, the dowel including a leaded<br />
recess to constitute the balance<br />
weight. A leatherette cap is arranged<br />
about the butt end of the handle to<br />
cover the dowel, and a spiral wrapped<br />
leather grip is wound upon the handle,<br />
the end of which is covered by a<br />
leather knobbing tacked to the leather<br />
grip and handle to maintain the cap<br />
grip and knobbing in attachment to<br />
the handle…there is provided<br />
according to this invention, a<br />
preformed cap composed of resilient<br />
material having a force fit upon or<br />
about the end of the handle, and a<br />
centrally disposed core section of<br />
similar resilient or flexible material integral<br />
with the cap and projecting into<br />
and fitting the bore of the handle. The<br />
length of the core section is<br />
commensurate with or dependent upon<br />
the balance weight required…<br />
Inventors: Dunlop Rubber Australia<br />
Limited, Flinders Street, Melbourne,<br />
Victoria.<br />
the production and application of the<br />
grip to the handle, according to this<br />
invention, a grip… comprises a split<br />
sleeve of flexible or resilient material<br />
wrapped around and adhered to the<br />
external surface of the handle with the<br />
sides of the sleeve recessed into and<br />
adhered to the wall or walls of a groove<br />
in the handle. In this construction, the<br />
original pattern of the grip is retained<br />
and the one piece construction of the<br />
sleeve prevents curling and<br />
discomfort to the user…<br />
Inventors: Dunlop Rubber Australia<br />
Limited, Flinders Street, Melbourne,<br />
Victoria.<br />
Update<br />
1946<br />
128,601<br />
Date of application: 17th April, 1946<br />
Accepted: 2nd August, 1948<br />
Improvements relating to the handles<br />
of tennis or like rackets or bats<br />
Abbreviated claim: … with the<br />
objective of providing an effective<br />
durable grip and attendant<br />
simplification and cost reduction in<br />
14
Book of Tennis Rackets English Patents<br />
Please add to<br />
English Patents<br />
page 487 and 488:<br />
1881<br />
No. 662<br />
Date of application 16th February, 1881<br />
Accepted 12th August, 1881<br />
Improvements in Handles for Rackets<br />
or Lawn Tennis Bats<br />
1 claim<br />
Abbreviated claim: ...these improvements<br />
relate to the form of the handle.<br />
There are three positions of the hand<br />
upon the bat handle: service stroke at<br />
the end, volley stroke at the middle<br />
and a short twist stroke at the end<br />
nearest to the face.This invention<br />
provides three bulges on the handle<br />
to enable the player to precisely find<br />
the proper hand position ...<br />
Inventor: Otway Edward Woodhouse,<br />
20, Upper Phillimore Gardens, Ken, in<br />
the County of Middlesex.<br />
(rackets with this design were made<br />
by Ayres F.H., Ltd. - page 72 in the<br />
Book - “The Triple Handled”.<br />
1883<br />
No. 2954<br />
This Invention received Provisional<br />
Protection only.<br />
Date of application: 14th June, 1883<br />
Accepted same date.<br />
Lawn Tennis Bats<br />
Abstract:<br />
The object of this invention is to impart<br />
additional strength to a lawn tennis<br />
bat combined with increased lightness<br />
and resiliency. I line the frame of the<br />
bat with cane-horn-whale bone or any<br />
other material uniting lightness and<br />
elasticity with strength. I also<br />
dispense with a portion of the wood<br />
framing and substitute cork therefore.<br />
Inventor: Albert Joseph Altman, of<br />
the Parish of St. Botolph, Aldersgate,<br />
London<br />
Please note: This old English Patent<br />
was discovered by Michael Searle,<br />
Oxford, England, who also provided a<br />
copy for use in this book.<br />
Update<br />
Please note: A copy of this old English<br />
Patent was provided by G.N. Gurney.<br />
15
Book of Tennis Rackets Photodecal Picture Rackets<br />
Additional information to pages 607-<br />
609:<br />
Miscellanies<br />
Photodecal Picture Rackets<br />
Definitions by Randy Crow:<br />
A “photodecal” or “picture” racket is<br />
one that has an identifiable likeness<br />
(usually a photograph) of the endorser<br />
on the handle or throat of the racket.<br />
There is usually a facsimile signature<br />
of the endorser, as well.<br />
An endorsed racket that doesn’t have<br />
a likeness on it is classified a<br />
“signature” racket, which is a different<br />
category.<br />
Update<br />
Mulligan, Marty – Donnay – c. 1968<br />
With kind permission of Randy Crow:<br />
Please add to the table on page 608:<br />
Barnes, Bruce<br />
add manufacturer Harry Lee<br />
Borg, Bjorn – Donnay<br />
Champion Wimbledon: 1976 to 1980<br />
Davidson, Owen – Spalding<br />
(Belgium)<br />
Champion French Open: 1957<br />
Hillebrand, John – Hillebrand<br />
(Australia)<br />
Jacobs, Helen Hull – Kennedy<br />
Champion Wimbledon: 1936<br />
Lundqvist, Jan Erik, Match – Donnay<br />
MacKay, Barry – Wilson<br />
Ranks USTA No. 1 in 1960. US-Pro<br />
Exhibition: 1961, 1963<br />
Marie, Shirley – Trio<br />
Meyerson, Ed – Spalding<br />
Mulligan, Marty – Donnay<br />
Newcombe, John – Slazenger<br />
Champion Wimbledon: 1967, 1970 and<br />
1971<br />
Olmedo, Alex –<br />
add manufacturer Pennant<br />
Panatta, Adriano – WIP (Italy)<br />
Champion French Open: 1976<br />
Parker, Frank –<br />
add manufacturer Draper & Maynard<br />
Tilden, Bill –<br />
add manufacturer Bancroft<br />
Wagner, Honus –<br />
Wagner Sporting Goods<br />
Court, Magaret – Chemold – c. 1970<br />
Laver, Rod – Dunlop – c. 1970<br />
Please note:<br />
Please change name on page 125<br />
(heading under photograph lower left)<br />
from Culligan to Mulligan)<br />
Marty Mulligan, an Australian tennis<br />
player, was finalist at Wimbledon<br />
losing to Rod Laver in 1962. He won<br />
the River Oaks Tournament in<br />
Houston, in 1966.<br />
Goolagong, Evonne – Dunlop<br />
She used this specific racket at the<br />
Federation Cup in Bad Homburg in<br />
1978<br />
16
Book of Tennis Rackets Photodecal Picture Rackets<br />
Update<br />
Lundqvist, Jan Erik, – Match – Donnay,<br />
laminated frame, standard size.<br />
Estimated: 1978<br />
Courtesy: Dr. H. Kerling<br />
Gonzales – Spalding – c. 1965<br />
Rosewall, Ken – Slazenger – c. 1960<br />
Budge, Don – Match Point – Wilson<br />
c. 1950<br />
Rosewall, Ken – Seamco – c. 1962<br />
Budge, Don – Ghost – Spalding –<br />
c. 1950<br />
17
Book of Tennis Rackets Photodecal Picture Rackets<br />
Update<br />
Wilson: Hardwick, Mary – Valiant<br />
1968 (courtesy Dr. H. Kerling)<br />
Please substitute table on Wilson Photodecal Picture Rackets (page 609). The rackets in the collection of Hans von<br />
Buxhoeveden, fellow collector, were added.<br />
Wilson Photodecal Picture Rackets<br />
an excerpt from available catalogues – not complete – and from the Hans von Buxhoeveden collection, year<br />
2000 (B), by courtesy<br />
Wilson Model from to Wilson Model from to<br />
Alice Marble Autograph Australian Model 1942 Ellsworth Vines Championship (B) ~ 1940<br />
Alice Marble Finalist (B) ~ 1942 Ellsworth Vines Finalist 1942<br />
Alice Marble Invincible 1941 1943 Ellsworth Vines International 1939 1941<br />
Alice Marble Match Play 1942 Ellsworth Vines Master 1940<br />
Alice Marble Professional Australian Model 1942 Ellsworth Vines Match Play 1942 1946<br />
Alice Marble Signature 1941 1949 Ellsworth Vines Model A 1936<br />
Alice Marble Superstroke 1942 1948 Ellsworth Vines Model AA 1935 1936<br />
Barry MacKay ~ 1965 Ellsworth Vines Professional 1939<br />
Billie Jean King Valiant (promotional selling) (B) 1961 1971 Ellsworth Vines Registered Personal Model 1935 1939<br />
Billie Jean King, King Cup (B) 1961 1971 Ellsworth Vines Scholastic 1942<br />
Bobby Riggs Bombardier 1943 Ellsworth Vines Signature 1942 1948<br />
Bobby Riggs Finalist (B) ~ 1950 Ellsworth Vines Superstroke 1942<br />
Bobby Riggs Golden State 1948 1950 Ellsworth Vines Tournament 1941<br />
Bobby Riggs Match Play 1948 1950 Jack Kramer Ace (B) ~ 1968<br />
Bobby Riggs Top Notch 1943 Jack Kramer Cup (for promotional selling) 1968 1969<br />
Bruce Barnes International 1940 1941 Jack Kramer Imperial (B) ~ 1968<br />
Bruce Barnes Match Play 1942 Jack Kramer Personal (B) ~ 1968<br />
Bruce Barnes National Open 1939 Jack Kramer Speed Flo (B) ~ 1968<br />
Bruce Barnes Professional 1938 Jack Kramer Top Notch (B) ~ 1968<br />
Bruce Barnes Scholastic 1942 Jack Kramer Valiant (for promotional selling) 1968 1969<br />
Bruce Barnes Strokemaster 1938 Mary Hardwick Finalist 1942 1950<br />
Bruce Barnes Superstroke 1942 Mary Hardwick Matchpoint (B) 1950<br />
Don Budge Allstar 1940 1941 Mary Hardwick Personal 1946<br />
Don Budge Court Star (B) ~ 1940 Mary Hardwick Scholastic 1942<br />
Don Budge Finalist 1942 1949 Mary Hardwick Valiant (for promotional selling) 1968 1969<br />
Don Budge Ghost 1939 1940 Mary K. Browne International 1940 1941<br />
Don Budge International 1943 Mary K. Browne Master 1942<br />
Don Budge Master 1940 Mary K. Browne Tournament 1941<br />
Don Budge Phantom 1939 1940 Maureen Connolly Courtstar (B) ~ 1965<br />
Don Budge Signature 1942 1943 Maureen Connolly Cup (for promotional selling) 1968 1969<br />
Don Budge Superstroke 1946 1949 Maureen Connolly Mercury (B) ~ 1965<br />
Don Budge Tournament 1941 Maureen Connolly Personal (B) ~ 1965<br />
Eleanor Tennant Allstar 1940 1941 Maureen Connolly Stylist (for promotional selling) 1968 1969<br />
Ellsworth Vines Allstar 1940 1941 Tony Trabert Stylist (for promotional selling) 1968 1969<br />
Ellsworth Vines Autograph 1940 Tony Trabert Victory (B) ~ 1968<br />
Ellsworth Vines California 1935<br />
Ellsworth Vines Blue Ace 1935<br />
18
Book of Tennis Rackets Photodecal Picture Rackets<br />
Update<br />
Photograph of person on the racket Years made Manufacturer Some Rackets were added from<br />
c. from c. to the collection of Hans von Buxhoeveden<br />
Barnes, Bruce 1938 1942 Wilson See also Wilson table<br />
Barnes, Bruce 1939 1942 Davega Imperial<br />
Barnes, Bruce 1939 1942 Kent<br />
Barnes, Bruce ~ 1940 Lee, Harry Monogram<br />
Barnes, Bruce ~ 1940 Brine, W.H.<br />
Bolton, Nancye 1960 Spalding Australia Davis Cup<br />
Borg, Bjorn ~ 1980 Donnay<br />
Browne, Mary K. 1938 1941 Wilson See also Wilson table<br />
Budge, Don 1939 1949 Wilson See also Wilson table<br />
Budge, Don 1960’s Regent Jaguar, Topstar, Full Overlay, Driver,<br />
Tournament, Court Star, Personal, Contender,<br />
Don Budge Personal, Super Star<br />
Budge, Don 1960’s Pennant<br />
Budge, Don 1945 Spalding Great Britain<br />
Budge, Don 1945 Spalding Australia<br />
Budge, Don 1950 Spalding Ghost<br />
Budge, Don<br />
Viscount<br />
Cochet, Henri 1935 1937 Chicago Sports Equip.<br />
Cochet, Henri 1935 1937 Wilson See also Wilson table<br />
Connolly, Maureen 1957 1969 Wilson See also Wilson table<br />
Cooke, Sarah Palfrey 1950 MacGregor<br />
Court, Margaret (Smith) 1970 Chemold Champion Signature series, Tournament<br />
Court, Margaret (Smith) 1970 Slazenger Australia<br />
Davidson, Owen ~ 1960 Spalding<br />
Didrickson, Babe (Zaharias) 1938 Goldsmith<br />
Edwards, Stan<br />
Symonds (India)<br />
Evert, Chris 1977 Dunlop<br />
Forgie, Hugh* 1970 Trio Hollander *Canadian Badminton Professional, Thunderball<br />
Froehling, Frank 1965 Dunlop<br />
Gonzales, Pancho 1957 1965 Spalding Top Flite, Signature, Tournament<br />
Gonzales, Pancho 1957 1965 Wright & Ditson Signature<br />
Goolagong, Evonne 1975 1977 Dunlop Signature<br />
Hardwick, Mary 1942 1969 Wilson See also Wilson table<br />
Hillebrand, John ? Hillebrand (Australia)<br />
Hoad, Lew 1960 Dunlop<br />
Hoad, Lew 1962 1970 Conquest<br />
Hunter, Frank 1938 Ken Wel<br />
Jakobs, Helen Hull ~ 1940 Kennedy<br />
Jennings, George<br />
Wright & Ditson<br />
King, Billie Jean 1963 1975 Wilson See also Wilson table<br />
King, Billie Jean 1978 1980 Bancroft Wimbledon<br />
Kramer, Jack 1949 1969 Wilson See also Wilson table<br />
Laver, Rod 1968 Chemold<br />
Laver, Rod 1960 Dunlop Rod Laver<br />
Lott, George 1935 Spalding<br />
Lott, George 1935 Wright & Ditson<br />
Lundqvist, Jan-Erik 1978 Donnay<br />
MacKay, Barry ~ 1965 Wilson See also Wilson table<br />
Marie, Shirley ? Trio<br />
Marble, Alice 1941 1955 Wilson See also Wilson table<br />
McEnroe, John<br />
Dunlop Australia<br />
Meyerson, Ed ? Spalding<br />
Molinari, J.C.<br />
Gauthier Fils & Co.<br />
Moran, Gussy 1950 Dunlop Australia<br />
Mottram, Tony 1960 Spalding Great Britain<br />
Mulligan, Martin ~ 1955 Donnay<br />
Najuch-Extra 1950 Gebr. Hammer Photo in the section Gebr. Hammer of this Update<br />
Namath, Joe 1970 Franklin<br />
Newcombe, John ~ 1972 Slazenger<br />
Okker, Tom 1970 Dunlop<br />
Olmedo, Alex 1960 1965 Regent Olmedo Chief<br />
Olmedo, Alex ~ 1965 Pennant<br />
Orantes, Manuel 1975 Slazenger<br />
Overton, Wendy 1975 Bancroft Love Caseys<br />
Pails, Dinny ~ 1950 Hedley Sporting Goods<br />
Panatta, Adriano ~ 1980 WIP (Italy)<br />
Parker, Frank ~ 1950 Draper & Maynard<br />
Parker, Frank 1950 MacGregor Championship<br />
Perry, Fred 1940 Fred Perry<br />
Perry, Fred 1940 Slazenger Australia<br />
Renwal, Ellen 1965 Regent Ellen Renwal<br />
Richards, Vinnie 1938 Dunlop<br />
Riessen, Marty 1969 Dunlop Autograph, Advisory Staff Model<br />
Riggs, Bobby 1943 1950 Wilson See also Wilson table<br />
Rosewall, Ken 1960 Slazenger US Champion Tournament Model (K)<br />
Rosewall, Ken 1962 Seamco<br />
Sedgman, Frank 1954 1958 Wilson See also Wilson table<br />
Segura, Pancho 1950 Spalding<br />
Segura, Pancho 1950 Wright & Ditson<br />
Stoefen, Les 1935 1940 Spalding<br />
Stoefen, Les 1935 1940 Wright & Ditson<br />
Taylor, Roger 1975 Slazenger<br />
Tennant, Eleanor 1940 1941 Wilson See also Wilson table<br />
Tilden, Bill ~ 1935 Bancroft<br />
Tilden, Bill 1935 1940 Spalding<br />
Tilden, Bill<br />
Dunlop<br />
Trabert, Tony 1956 1969 Wilson See also Wilson table<br />
Vines, Ellsworth 1935 1942 Wilson See also Wilson table<br />
Vines, Ellsworth<br />
Lowe & Campbell<br />
Wagner, Honus ? Wagner-Traynor Co.<br />
Whalen, Joe 1941 1945 Cortland American Driver<br />
Williams, Ted 1961 Sears Roebuck<br />
19
Additional Photodecal Rackets (2008)<br />
It is strongly recommended to the serious collector of<br />
Photodecal Picture Rackets to consult the book of<br />
Randy Crow “Player Endorsed Tennis Rackets”,<br />
published 2008 by Bowser Publication, contact email<br />
address: photodecalguy@aol.com.<br />
The book also deals with Signature Rackets (rackets with<br />
an endorser’s complete name) and Tennis Ball Containers.<br />
The rackets below are from this book and not listed or<br />
covered sufficiently in the previous tables:<br />
Player Manufacturer Model Year<br />
Bruce Barnes Tryon Ace 1935<br />
Stewart 1935<br />
Bill Beckmann Spalding 1960<br />
Björn Borg Bancroft Wimbledon 1975<br />
Mary K. Browne Wright & Ditson Newport 1950<br />
Don Budge Pinguin Tournament 1960<br />
Regent Personal 1965<br />
Margaret Court Town & Country Signature 1975<br />
Harry Cowles Halkin Newport 1935<br />
Halkin Squash 1935<br />
Gianni Cucelli Maxima Davis Cup 1960<br />
Doris Hart Spalding (Aus) Autograph 1955<br />
Heinz Heinlinson Donnay Chief 1970<br />
John Hillebrand Hillebrand 1965<br />
Lew Hoad Hoad Autograph 1980<br />
Hoad International 1980<br />
Hoad Junior 1980<br />
Jan Erik Lundquist Tretorn Standard 1970<br />
Shirley Marie Mans Trio Hollander Courtstar 1975<br />
Ed Meyerson Spalding 1965<br />
J.C. Molinari Gauthier Davis Cupman 1970<br />
George O’Connell Unknown 1945<br />
Yvon Petra Montana Wimbledon 1960<br />
Frank Sedgman Oliver 1960<br />
lonTiriac Dunlop Maxply 1970<br />
TonyTrabert Wilson Victory 1955<br />
Wilson Stylist 1960<br />
Ellsworth Vines Spalding (Aus) Personal 1945<br />
Honus Wagner Wagner-Traynor Wagner 1935<br />
Additional rackets listed in www.tennisitaliano.it:<br />
Nicola Pietrangeli Maxima Torneo c. 1970<br />
eBay auction 2008:<br />
Asbóth, József ? Asbóth József c. 1950<br />
eBay auction 2006:<br />
Spalding:<br />
George Lott, Photodecal Picture<br />
Racket<br />
c. 1935<br />
Maxima: Pietrangeli, c. 1970, Photodecal Picture Racket<br />
Courtesy Randy Crow<br />
eBay 2007:<br />
Spalding: Bill Beckmann, c. 1960<br />
(Professional baseball player?).<br />
20
Book of Tennis Rackets Real Tennis<br />
Update<br />
Appendix, please add to page 631.<br />
Real Tennis, a sport that is played in some countries, especially in Great Britain, in the United States,<br />
France and Australia.<br />
Some information on Real Tennis,<br />
the game from which Lawn Tennis<br />
was devised.<br />
Real tennis courts in existence in<br />
2002:<br />
Real Tennis Clubs in Australia:<br />
1 Ballarat Tennis Club, Ballarat,<br />
Victoria, founded 1984<br />
2 Hobart Real Tennis Club,<br />
Hobart, Tasmania, since 1875<br />
3 Romsey Royal Tennis Club,<br />
Romsey, Victoria<br />
4 The Royal Melbourne Tennis<br />
Club, Melbourne, Victoria<br />
5 Sydney Real Tennis Club,<br />
Sydney, New South Wales<br />
Real Tennis Clubs in France:<br />
1 Jeu de Paume et Squash de<br />
Bordeaux, Bordeaux<br />
2 Cercle du jeu de Paume de<br />
Fontainebleau, Fontainebleau<br />
3 Société Sportive de Jeu de<br />
Paume et de Racquets, Paris<br />
Real Tennis Clubs in England and<br />
Scotland:<br />
1 Bristol & Bath Tennis Club –<br />
Bristol<br />
2 The Burroughs Club –<br />
Hendon, London<br />
3 Cambridge University Tennis<br />
Court – Cambridge,<br />
Cambridgeshire<br />
4 Canford School –<br />
Wimborne Minster, Dorset<br />
5 Falkland Palace –<br />
Fife, Scotland<br />
6 The Harbour Club –<br />
Fulham, London<br />
7 Hardwick House Tennis Club –<br />
Whitchurch, Berkshire<br />
8 Hatfield House Tennis Club –<br />
Old Hatfield, Hertfordshire<br />
9 Holyport Real Tennis Club –<br />
Holyport, Berkshire<br />
10 Hyde Tennis Club –<br />
Bridport, Dorset<br />
11 Jesmond Dene Tennis Club –<br />
Newcastle, Northumberland<br />
12 Leamington Tennis Court Club –<br />
Leamington, Warwickshire,<br />
since 1846<br />
13 Manchester Tennis & Racquet<br />
Club – Manchester, Lancashire<br />
14 MCC – St Johns Wood, London<br />
15 Moreton Morrell Tennis Court<br />
Club Moreton Morrell,<br />
Warwickshire<br />
16 Newmarket & Suffolk Real<br />
Tennis Club –<br />
Newmarket, Suffolk<br />
17 The Oratory School –<br />
Woodcote, Berkshire<br />
18 Oxford University Tennis Court –<br />
Oxford, Oxfordshire, since 1595<br />
and on its current site since 1798<br />
19 Petworth House Tennis Court –<br />
Petworth, Sussex<br />
20 The Prested Hall Rackets Club –<br />
Feering, Essex<br />
21 The Queen’s Club –<br />
West Kensington, London<br />
<strong>22</strong> The Royal Tennis Court –<br />
Hampton Court, Surrey,<br />
since1530<br />
23 Seacourt Tennis Court –<br />
Hayling Island, Hampshire<br />
Real Tennis Clubs in the United<br />
States:<br />
1 The Aiken Tennis Club – Aiken,<br />
South Carolina<br />
2 The Boston Tennis & Racquet<br />
Club – Boston, Massachusetts<br />
3 The Georgian Court – Lakewood,<br />
New Jersey<br />
4 The Greentree Court –<br />
Manhasset Long Island, New York<br />
5 The National Tennis Club –<br />
Newport, Rhode Island<br />
6 The Racquet Club of<br />
Philadelphia – Philadelphia,<br />
Pennsylvania<br />
7 The Tuxedo Club – Tuxedo,<br />
New York<br />
8 The International Tennis Club of<br />
Washington –<br />
Washington, Virginia<br />
How to play Real Tennis?<br />
Excerpt from “Hazard Chase” by<br />
Jeremy Potter, Constable and<br />
Company Ltd., London, 1964, page<br />
191 and 192:<br />
Tennis is the game from which lawn<br />
tennis was devised. Often called real<br />
tennis, royal tennis or in America court<br />
tennis, it is played in an indoor court.<br />
The ball is hit backwards and forward<br />
across a net with a racket, either full<br />
toss or first bounce. The scoring is<br />
the one used in lawn tennis.<br />
The walls of the court are not plain flat<br />
surfaces. Three of them are broken by<br />
sloping penthouses just above headhigh<br />
(these roofs as well as the walls<br />
above and below are in play), and all<br />
four contain hazards:<br />
The side galleries below the<br />
penthouse roof the openings of which<br />
with nettings at the back to stop the<br />
balls and protect the spectators.<br />
The dedans at one end below the<br />
penthouse roof the openings of which<br />
with nettings at the back to stop the<br />
balls and protect the spectators.<br />
The grille, which is a square opening<br />
at one end with a wooden back.<br />
The tambour, which consists of a<br />
projection of the wall, which causes<br />
the ball to fly off at an angle.<br />
Service is always from the same side<br />
of the court and does not alternate<br />
with each game, a change of service<br />
being brought about only by the laying<br />
of a chase. This is done by the striker<br />
returning the ball over the net in such<br />
a way that his opponent misses it: a<br />
chase is then laid at the point where<br />
the ball hits the floor on its second<br />
bounce.<br />
The floor of the court at the service is<br />
marked in yards from the back wall,<br />
and if the second bounce falls on the<br />
four-yard line ‘chase four’ is called by<br />
the marker. The point is not won by<br />
the striker, but held in abeyance until<br />
either of the player reaches forty or<br />
until two chases have been made.<br />
They then change ends, and the player<br />
who was serving before and is now<br />
receiving service has to return the ball<br />
so that the second bounce falls less<br />
21
Book of Tennis Rackets Real Tennis<br />
Update<br />
Penthouse Galleries<br />
Side Galleries<br />
Penthouse Grille<br />
Tambour<br />
Hazard Side<br />
Grille<br />
Service Side<br />
The Ancient Club at Lord’s<br />
than four yards from the back wall. If<br />
he succeeds or if his opponent hits<br />
the ball but fails to return it over the<br />
net he wins the chase and with it the<br />
point. If the second bounce falls<br />
further than four yards from the back<br />
wall or if he fails to return the ball at all<br />
he loses it.<br />
At more than six yards from the wall<br />
the chases are named after the side<br />
galleries – last gallery, second gallery,<br />
the door and first gallery. These being<br />
a long way from the back wall are bad<br />
chases.<br />
To distinguish it from the service end<br />
this is known as the hazard side, and<br />
when the second bounce of a shot<br />
from the player on the service side<br />
falls in the half of the hazard side<br />
nearer to the net a hazard chase is laid.<br />
The other, or back, half of the hazard<br />
side is the ‘winning area’, and here –<br />
as in the dedans, the grille and the<br />
winning gallery – a point is won<br />
outright.<br />
Although points are won and lost as<br />
in lawn tennis when players hit the<br />
ball into the net or out of play, the<br />
distinctive features of tennis are the<br />
hazards and the chases. To lay a good<br />
chase – the best is better than half a<br />
yard – requires great control of length,<br />
speed and cut, and the combination of<br />
hazards and chases offers an<br />
enormous variety of possible strokes.<br />
Moreover, the ball, which is like a<br />
lawn tennis ball but solid, may be<br />
chopped, cut, twisted or topped so<br />
that it behaves in weird and widely<br />
differing ways after contact with a<br />
wall. The best tennis players literally<br />
stroke the ball rather than hit it.<br />
<strong>22</strong>
Book of Tennis Rackets the biggest racket<br />
Update<br />
Appendix, please add to page 631<br />
The biggest racket so far made<br />
(until 2006)<br />
This racket was made by Siegfried<br />
Kuebler and Anton Binder in 2001. It<br />
is a copy of the Kuebler Big Point 125<br />
racket enlarged 1 : 10.<br />
It has an overall length of 7,20 m,<br />
weighs about 120 kg, was made of<br />
fibre glass embedded in epoxy and<br />
can be dismantled into two pieces for<br />
easier transportation.<br />
It required 130 m of 12 mm thick Nylon<br />
rope to string.<br />
It qualified for the Guinness Book of<br />
Records (German edition) in 2003.<br />
23
Book of Tennis Rackets Vibration Dampers<br />
Appendix, please add to page 631<br />
The Colourful World of Vibration<br />
Dampers<br />
Did you ever notice or do you have<br />
any written evidence of a vibration<br />
damper clamped to the strings or the<br />
frame of a racket used or shown prior<br />
to 1920? If so, please contact me.<br />
It is questionable, however, if there<br />
for by the American Albert Brown<br />
Hilton Jr. of Dayton, Ohio, in 1926. A<br />
corresponding US Patent to the<br />
German one could not be discovered.<br />
In the description of this patent citing<br />
prior art it states:<br />
“It is well known that the strings can<br />
be covered with rubber hoses in order<br />
to absorb unpleasant vibrations and<br />
the ‘singing’ of the strings. However,<br />
Update<br />
It is not astonishing when people<br />
using such rackets looked for simple<br />
ways to solve this problem as Mr.<br />
Brown did. In 1932 a certain Samuel C.<br />
Allen invented the first removable and<br />
replaceable damper made of a<br />
‘resilient’ material. It was mounted<br />
into the throat area of the metal racket.<br />
For this damper he obtained US Patent<br />
No. 1,869,083. He assigned it, not to<br />
Damper with the Wilson W-Logo with<br />
grooves around to be fitted between two<br />
strings, c. 1995<br />
was a need for them then, since<br />
wooden rackets with their relatively<br />
thick strings did not produce that<br />
cracking, unpleasant sound as metal<br />
strung rackets or sometimes composite<br />
rackets do when a ball hits the strings.<br />
On the contrary: A tightly strung<br />
wooden racket was supposed to ‘sing’<br />
when plucked by fingers or hit by a<br />
ball. That tone should be of a pure<br />
nature – sine wave-like. This tone<br />
was considered to be a sign of quality<br />
for the stringing job and the natural<br />
gut, never equalled by the later<br />
upcoming synthetic gut, the sound of<br />
which is lower and dull.<br />
In my research, which I have<br />
conducted I found the first reference<br />
to the vibration dampening properties<br />
of rubber on strings of a racket in the<br />
German Patent No. 463,997, applied<br />
Damper of circular shape with grooves<br />
around to be fitted between two strings,<br />
c. 2003<br />
the rubber will get brittle and hard in<br />
a short time, losing its dampening<br />
properties and it will get damaged and<br />
will come off when the ball hits the<br />
strings once and again.”<br />
It is quite conceivable that Mr. Brown<br />
of Dayton applied for his patent<br />
(explained in more detail in the<br />
following patent section) in view of<br />
the metal rackets with piano wire<br />
strings made and sold in large<br />
quantities by the Dayton Racquet<br />
Corporation located in the same area<br />
where he lived.<br />
Did you ever use a racket strung with<br />
such wire in your tennis career? The<br />
high pitch coming off the strings when<br />
hit by a ball disturbs the player<br />
considerably and even a modern<br />
vibration damper will usually not<br />
suffice to dampen out all the noises.<br />
Circular damper of ornamental design<br />
with grooves around to be squeezed<br />
between two strings, c. 1996<br />
our surprise, to the Dayton Racquet<br />
Company. May be he was even an<br />
employee of this company.<br />
Many years followed before the idea<br />
of the vibration dampers was taken up<br />
again. This time it concerned<br />
removable strips of rubber to be<br />
interlaced with the strings. This was<br />
Clorence H. Forbes idea and it was<br />
patented in 1956, US Patent No.<br />
2,732,209.<br />
René Lacoste’s French Patent No.<br />
1.308.833, filed in 1964, represented a<br />
vibration damper made from flexible<br />
material in the form of a toric shape, with<br />
grooves to fix it into the stringing of the<br />
racket. These round ‘cable grommets’<br />
were readily available in hardware stores<br />
and were made of an age and light<br />
resisting rubber blend.<br />
Rubber strip damper to be interlaced<br />
between strings and fastened by means<br />
of hooks at both ends. A rubber button is<br />
located additionally at the centre, c. 1997<br />
Damper consisting of a block of Silicon<br />
Rubber with slits to be mounted on 8<br />
parallel strings, c. 1999<br />
Corrugated rubber strip damper to be<br />
interlaced between strings and fastened<br />
by means of hooks at both ends, c. 1995<br />
24
Book of Tennis Rackets Vibration Dampers<br />
Is it pure coincidence that his<br />
invention of the round damper<br />
followed his patents on a metal racket<br />
a few years earlier which was made<br />
and sold worldwide by Wilson?<br />
Remember the T2000? The racket of<br />
Jimmy OConnors? The strings of metal<br />
rackets, especially those made of steel<br />
tube, seems to develop a pitch, which<br />
people don’t like.<br />
Now the way was shown and other<br />
developments and systems were soon<br />
on the market. They came in many<br />
shapes, in many colours and with<br />
different clamping systems to the<br />
strings. Mostly they were made of<br />
light- and weatherproof rubber, silicon<br />
rubber but rarely of synthetics. They<br />
could be as simple as a rubber cord<br />
wrapped around some strings. Usually<br />
they worked satisfactorily as long as<br />
at least two strings were coupled. The<br />
most effective position for dampening<br />
the pitch seems to be when the two<br />
centre mains directly above the throat<br />
are part of the coupling. All these<br />
dampers have one thing in common:<br />
The weight of the dampers ranges from<br />
1 to 5 grams.<br />
Owing to the low weight, the<br />
dampening device’s effectiveness on<br />
the lower frequency of the frame<br />
vibrations or oscillations (100 to 200<br />
cycles/s) is negligible contrary to<br />
many claims in their advertising or<br />
patents.<br />
Some damper developments with a<br />
higher weight of 8 to 10 grams, such as<br />
the Kuebler US Patent No. 5,792,011<br />
with movable lead pellets inside, may<br />
also slightly dampen the vibrations of<br />
frames especially those with their own<br />
high natural frequency in the<br />
neighbourhood of 200 cycles/s, only<br />
to be achieved with high-grade<br />
graphite fibres and a construction<br />
enhancing the stiffness of such<br />
frames.<br />
There is of course enough room for<br />
further improvements and<br />
Update<br />
developments. There seems to be no<br />
limit to the ingenuity and fantasy of<br />
mankind.<br />
The heading of this chapter was<br />
chosen to be: The colourful world of<br />
vibration dampers. With all the<br />
colours, shapes and working systems<br />
of such devices it certainly is justified.<br />
Square shaped rubber damper with<br />
grooves around to be squeezed between<br />
strings c. 1995<br />
Circular damper of ornamental design<br />
with grooves around to be squeezed<br />
between two strings, c. 1992<br />
Top: Ornamental design of a damper with<br />
grooves around, c. 1995.<br />
Bottom: Corrugated strip damper with<br />
centrepiece to be buttoned up around the<br />
strings, c. 1997<br />
‘Cable grommet’ rubber damper with<br />
grooves around to be squeezed between<br />
strings c. 1995<br />
25
Book of Tennis Rackets Vibration Dampers<br />
Damper to be interlaced with the main<br />
strings, c. 1998<br />
1928:<br />
German Patent 463,997<br />
Application filed Nov. 8, 1926<br />
Patented July 19, 1928<br />
Schläger für Tennis u. dgl.<br />
(Tennis Racket)<br />
2 claims<br />
Abstract: ...a dampening tube made of<br />
textile fabric in a racket strung with<br />
metal strings. Preferably this tube<br />
should be mounted on the lowest cross<br />
strings of the racket...<br />
Inventor: Albert Brown Hilton Jr.<br />
Dayton, Ohio<br />
Update<br />
Fabric hose as vibration damper on the<br />
cross strings of a Dayton Racket c.1930<br />
‘Cable grommet’ damper according to<br />
Lacoste’s elapsed French patent, c. 1985<br />
textile fabric hose<br />
Remark:<br />
Rubber hoses as a dampening device<br />
are mentioned in the description of<br />
this patent. Rubber, it is pointed out,<br />
has the disadvantage of getting<br />
brittle in the course of time losing all<br />
its vibration dampening properties.<br />
No corresponding US Patent to the<br />
German one could be traced.<br />
1932:<br />
US Patent 1,869,038<br />
Application filed Sept. 30, 1929<br />
Patented July 26, 1932<br />
Tennis Racket<br />
Abstract: ...a resilient floating bridge<br />
with a pivot pin is removable mounted<br />
as a shock absorber for the vibrations<br />
of the strings in the throat of a<br />
racquet...<br />
Inventor: Samuel C. Allen<br />
Dayton Ohio<br />
Assignee: Dayton Racquet Company,<br />
Inc., Dayton, Ohio<br />
Four blocks of Silicon rubber to be fixed<br />
into five main strings. With Wilson logo,<br />
2004.<br />
pivot pin<br />
26
Book of Tennis Rackets Vibration Dampers<br />
1956:<br />
US Patent 2,732,209<br />
Application filed Jan. 8, 1953<br />
Patented Jan. 24, 1956<br />
Flexible Wire Racket<br />
Abstract: ...a wire-strung racket gives<br />
off a ringing sound when contacting<br />
with a ball. Strips of material such as<br />
rubber interlaced with the strings will<br />
deaden this vibration. These strips<br />
are equipped at their ends with<br />
fasteners and will be mounted under<br />
tension...<br />
Inventor: Clorence H. Forbes<br />
Salt Lake City, Utah<br />
1965:<br />
France 1,398,833<br />
Application filed March 31, 1964<br />
Patented April 5, 1965<br />
Vibration Damper<br />
(Amortisseur de vibrations pour<br />
raquettes de tennis ou jeux analogue)<br />
2 claims<br />
Abstract: ...a vibration damper made<br />
of one piece of an elastic material<br />
shaped in a way to be anchored<br />
between the strings of a racket. The<br />
damper has a central hole to facilitate<br />
its mounting between the strings....<br />
Inventor: Jean René Lacoste, resident<br />
en France (Seine)<br />
Update<br />
1976:<br />
US Patent 3,941,380<br />
Application filed July 12, 1973<br />
Patented March 2, 1976<br />
Tennis Rackets and Similar Implements<br />
with Vibration Damper<br />
24 claims<br />
Abstract: ...a vibrating member as a<br />
vibration damper is attached rigidly<br />
to the racket at a point near an antinode<br />
in the longitudinal axis...<br />
Inventor: Francois René Lacoste<br />
Neuilly, Hauts de Seine, France<br />
rubber strips<br />
strings<br />
Remark:<br />
This rubber piece was nothing else<br />
but a standard ‘cable grommet’ of a<br />
suitable size available in hardware<br />
stores. Simple, cheap and perfectly<br />
working. This is another example of<br />
the ingenuity of René Lacoste who<br />
obtained about 65 patents in his<br />
lifetime. He was not only a great<br />
sportsman but also a great inventor.<br />
Damper attached rigidly to the handle of<br />
a racket. Wilson T 5000 c. 1978<br />
Remark:<br />
There was no audible reduction of the<br />
‘singing’ of the strings with this<br />
attachment not in contact with the<br />
strings.<br />
Damper to be interlaced with the<br />
main strings, c. 1998<br />
‘Cable grommet’ damper squeezed<br />
between two main strings, c. 1985<br />
27
Book of Tennis Rackets Vibration Dampers<br />
1979:<br />
German Patent 27 52 673<br />
Application filed Nov. 25, 1977<br />
Patented May 31, 1979<br />
Freely translated:<br />
Tennis Racket<br />
2 claims<br />
Abstract: ...a grommet strip of an<br />
elastic material obtains flexible tubes,<br />
which extend into the strung area of a<br />
racket. These tubes in close contact<br />
with the strings act as vibration<br />
dampers...<br />
Inventor: Siegfried Kuebler<br />
Ueberlingen, Germany<br />
1979:<br />
US Patent 3,941,380<br />
Application filed July 15, 1977<br />
Patented Dec. 25, 1979<br />
Implements for Striking a Ball<br />
11 claims<br />
Abstract: ...at least two longitudinal<br />
or transverse strings are mechanically<br />
coupled to each other by a vibration<br />
absorber...<br />
Inventor: Adolf Staufer<br />
Ried im Innkreis, Austria<br />
Assignee: Fischer GmbH<br />
Ried, Austria<br />
Update<br />
Damper mounted to the main strings<br />
according to this patent, c. 1984<br />
Damper according to this patent, c. 1979<br />
The damper below made by Dunlop<br />
was based on the Fischer<br />
development above, c. 1985<br />
Damper as an integral part of a grommet<br />
strip extending as tubes into the strings.<br />
Damper according to this patent, c. 1984<br />
28
Book of Tennis Rackets Vibration Dampers<br />
1984:<br />
Germany Utility Patent 84 05 102<br />
(best to be compared with an American<br />
Design Patent)<br />
Application filed Feb. 20, 1984<br />
Issued April 12, 1984<br />
Vibration Damper<br />
freely translated:<br />
10 claims<br />
Abstract: ...a vibration damper made<br />
of one piece of an elastic material with<br />
two legs as tubes to adapt two longitudinal<br />
strings, the legs, each having<br />
a hole to adapt a cross string, being<br />
connected at the end with a bridge...<br />
Assignee: Kneissl International<br />
GmbH, Taufkirchen, Germany<br />
1984:<br />
German Patent 34 43 009<br />
Application filed May 5, 1983<br />
Patented Nov. 28, 1984<br />
Freely translated:<br />
Bat for Balls<br />
in Particular Tennis Rackets<br />
freely translated<br />
3 claims<br />
Abstract: ...additional weights<br />
consisting of a resilient material and<br />
heavier metal to be squeezed into the<br />
open space of adjacent strings in the<br />
strung area of a racket where the ball<br />
does not hit the strings. Additional<br />
power is generated and the vibrations<br />
of the strings are absorbed...<br />
Inventor: Armin Dassler<br />
Herzogenaurach, Germany<br />
Assignee: Puma Sportschuhfabriken<br />
Rudolf Dassler, Herzogenaurach<br />
Update<br />
1984:<br />
Germany Utility Patent 84 32 521<br />
(best to be compared with an American<br />
Design Patent)<br />
Application filed Nov. 7, 1984<br />
Issued Dec. 20, 1984<br />
freely translated:<br />
Vibration Damper<br />
1 claim<br />
Abstract: ...a vibration damper made<br />
of one piece of an elastic material<br />
shaped in a way to be anchored in<br />
longitudinal slits between the strings<br />
of a racket. The damper has two longitudinal<br />
holes to facilitate its mounting<br />
between the strings....<br />
Inventor: Robaldo Aldo Michele<br />
Torino, Italy<br />
Damper according to this patent c. 1990<br />
Damper with metal knob according to<br />
this patent c. 1990<br />
29
Book of Tennis Rackets Vibration Dampers<br />
1986:<br />
US Patent 4,575,083<br />
Application filed July 3, 1984<br />
Patented March 11, 1986<br />
Racket with Elastic Vibration<br />
Damping Strip<br />
17 claims<br />
Abstract: ...a flexible strip clamped in<br />
the edge area of the strings through<br />
alternate crossing points of respective<br />
longitudinal and transverse strings...<br />
Inventor: Günter Adam,<br />
Straubing, Germany<br />
Assignee: Puma-KG, Germany<br />
1988:<br />
US Patent 4,765,620<br />
Application filed Jan. 16, 1987<br />
Patented Aug. 23, 1988<br />
Racket Vibration Dampener<br />
Combined with Grommet Strip<br />
6 claims<br />
Abstract: ...the vibration damper of<br />
an elastomeric, energy absorbing material<br />
is integral with a grommet strip<br />
which mates with the underside of the<br />
yoke of the racket and the string holes<br />
there through...<br />
Inventor: Richard Janes,<br />
Belchertown, Mass.<br />
Assignee: Spalding & Evenflo<br />
Companies, Inc.<br />
Tampa, Fla.<br />
Update<br />
1990:<br />
US Patent 4,927,143<br />
Application filed July <strong>22</strong>, 1988<br />
Patented May <strong>22</strong>, 1990<br />
Fluid Vibration Damper<br />
for Racquet<br />
14 claims<br />
Abstract: ...an elastic body with<br />
grooves around to be fitted between<br />
strings with a well which receives a<br />
damping fluid and a weight in the form<br />
of a lead or steel ball...<br />
Inventor: Bart A. Hillock, Santa<br />
Barbara, Calif.<br />
1990:<br />
US Patent 4,909,509<br />
Application filed May 9, 1988<br />
Patented March 20, 1990<br />
Vibration Dampers<br />
for Tennis Rackets<br />
9 claims<br />
Abstract: ...The damper includes two<br />
opposed plates with a connecting<br />
central body intersecting the strings<br />
of a racket. The damper receives a<br />
second pair or more of removable<br />
plates which can be readily added or<br />
removed to suit the player’s needs...<br />
Inventor: Louis Boschjan<br />
Villeneuve-Loubet, France<br />
Damper according to this patent c. 1992<br />
30
Book of Tennis Rackets Vibration Dampers<br />
1990:<br />
US Patent 4,911,445<br />
Application filed Jan. 27, 1989<br />
Patented March 27, 1990<br />
Vibration Dampening Device<br />
for a Sports Racket Having a Strung<br />
Striking Surface<br />
18 claims<br />
Abstract: ...a flexible tubular member<br />
interwoven with the strings of a racket<br />
the ends of which fitted with hooklike<br />
anchoring elements for the strings.<br />
A viscoelastic energy-damping medium<br />
is encapsulated within the tube...<br />
Inventor: Harry M. Ferrari;<br />
John M. Shallenberger<br />
both of Pittsburgh, Pa.<br />
Assignee: Ferrari Importing<br />
Company, Pittsburgh, Pa.<br />
1992:<br />
US Patent Des 331,436<br />
Application filed June 20, 1990<br />
Patented Dec. 1, 1992<br />
Vibration Damper for a Racket Claim:<br />
The ornamental design for a vibration<br />
damper as shown and described.<br />
Inventor: Hiroo Yanahara<br />
Kobe, Japan<br />
Assignee: Phagason Co., Japan<br />
Update<br />
1993:<br />
US Patent 5,211,397<br />
Application filed Jan. 30, 1992<br />
Patented May. 18, 1993<br />
String Vibration Dampener<br />
for a Tennis Racquet<br />
11 claims<br />
Abstract: ...a vibration damper<br />
includes a thin, flexible strip with a<br />
massive donut shaped member at either<br />
end...<br />
Inventor: Stephen J. Davis, Yardley,<br />
Kenneth A. Stevens, Landsdale, both<br />
of Pa.<br />
Assignee: Prince Manufacturing,<br />
Inc., Princeton, N.J.<br />
damping medium<br />
donut shaped mass<br />
Damper according to this patent, c. 1992<br />
Damper according to this patent, c. 1994<br />
31
Book of Tennis Rackets Vibration Dampers<br />
1998:<br />
US Patent 5,792,011<br />
Application filed July 24, 1997<br />
Patented Aug. 11, 1998<br />
Vibration Damper<br />
for Sports Racket<br />
7 claims<br />
Abstract: ...a vibration damper<br />
attached as an insert to the strings of<br />
a sport racket, that insert with an inside<br />
space or spaces to receive mass<br />
particles in particular lead shot ...<br />
Inventor: Siegfried Kuebler<br />
Ueberlingen, Germany<br />
1999:<br />
US Patent 5,871,409<br />
Application filed Dec. 11, 1997<br />
Patented Feb. 16, 1999<br />
Vibration Absorbing Device<br />
for the Strings or Frame of a Racket<br />
7 claims<br />
Abstract: ...a block of rubber or plastic<br />
having a centrally located mushroom<br />
shaped vibrator, this block having<br />
longitudinal recesses on opposite<br />
sides to fit between strings...<br />
Inventor: Kazumi Kimoto, Tokyo,<br />
Japan<br />
Assignee: Kimony’s Incorporated,<br />
Tokyo, Japan<br />
Update<br />
2002:<br />
US Patent 6,447,411<br />
Application filed Aug. 29, 2000<br />
Patented Sept. 10, 2002<br />
Vibration Damper<br />
Using a Rotary Mechanism for All<br />
Tennis Rackets<br />
7 claims<br />
Abstract: ...anti vibration system that<br />
adapts to any tennis racket comprising<br />
a flexible element using another rigid<br />
element with a protruding part. When<br />
hit by a ball the protruding part rotates,<br />
however, being restrained by the<br />
distortion of the flexible element, it<br />
dissipates the vibratory energy of the<br />
racket...<br />
Inventor: Jean-Claude Bianchi,<br />
617, les Cabots<br />
Biot, France<br />
Strings<br />
mushroom shaped vibrator<br />
lead shot<br />
Damper according to the patent on the left<br />
side, c. 2000<br />
Amendment:<br />
Please change in the book on table<br />
page 627:<br />
Ivan Lendl first – 1984, last 1987,<br />
instead of 1884 and 1887.<br />
32
Book of Tennis Rackets Sporting Goods Stores<br />
Appendix<br />
Additional information. Please add to<br />
the list on page 623:<br />
Central Europe<br />
All sporting goods shops (retailers)<br />
prior to 1939:<br />
Albers, Joh. Wilhelm, Harburg a. E.<br />
Argartz, Wilhelm, Plauen i. V.,<br />
c. 1925<br />
Behle, R., Frankfurt a. M., Kaiserstr.<br />
27 (19<strong>22</strong>)<br />
Beinhauer, R., Söhne, Neuerwall 59,<br />
Hamburg, Sportartikel aller Art (1906),<br />
gegründet 1828.<br />
Böhme, Robert, Dresden<br />
Büchner, Heinrich, Spezialgeschäft<br />
für Spiel und Sport, Regensburg<br />
(1910)<br />
Dandler Sport, Neustift<br />
Dzbanek, Sport, Praha<br />
Gebrüder Feisinger, Frankfurt a. M.<br />
and Berlin No. 43<br />
Gröger, Fritz H., Hamburg, Mönckebergstr.<br />
18, c. 1925, Generalvertreter<br />
und Fabrikniederlage von F.A.<br />
Davis, London.<br />
Hannemann, W., Köln, Zeppelinstr.<br />
„Schwerthof“ (19<strong>22</strong>)<br />
Hartig, Fritz (1926), please amend<br />
from Harlig to Hartig<br />
Hill u. Müller, Konstanz<br />
Hochenleitner, Josef, München,<br />
Kaufingerstr. 7 (19<strong>22</strong>)<br />
Jordan, Sporthaus, Berlin-Schöneberg,<br />
Hauptstr. 97, c. 1925<br />
Kamp, Carl, Herrenmoden, Augsburg<br />
Kessinger, Karl,<br />
fachmännische Tenniswerkstätte,<br />
München, Adalbertstr. 46<br />
Knothe, Sporthaus, Dresden A1,<br />
Galeriestr. 12/Ecke Frauenstraße<br />
Kreidl, Sporthaus, Leipzig/Dresden<br />
(1925)<br />
Kunze, Robert<br />
Dresden<br />
Lehfeldt, Heinrich<br />
Berlin, Kaiserdamm 112<br />
Mirau, Sporthaus, Berlin W 15, Kurfürstendamm<br />
185/186<br />
Münziger, Hermann, k.b. Hoflieferant,<br />
Neues Rathaus, München<br />
Neubauer, Josef – Troppau,<br />
Czechoslovakia – Sporting Goods<br />
Store<br />
Neufeld, E., Castrop-Rauxel 1,<br />
Ringstr. 33<br />
Oechsle, Albert, Sporthaus, Neu-Ulm<br />
Rau, Richard, Größtes Spezial-Tennishaus<br />
Berlins, Mitinhaber Willi<br />
Hannemann, Filiale Westen, Meineke<br />
Str. 2, Filiale Norden, Schönhauserallee<br />
45a (19<strong>22</strong>)<br />
Remde, Sporthaus, Eisennach, Johannisplatz<br />
11 (1925)<br />
Sauer, Franz, Abteilung Sport, Cöln<br />
und Aachen<br />
Steidel, A., Berlin, Rosenthalerstr. 34-<br />
35 and Tauentzienstr. 12 (19<strong>22</strong>)<br />
Stein & Co., GmbH., München, Marienplatz<br />
23, c. 1925. Alleinvertrieb der<br />
“Burke” Schläger.<br />
Süsskind, Jos., Hamburg, Hohe Bleichen<br />
31-32, „Brandenburgerhaus“, general<br />
agent for the Slazenger products<br />
in Germany (19<strong>22</strong>).<br />
Wagner, D.H., & Sohn, Spielwarenhandlung,<br />
Leipzig, Grimmaische Straße<br />
6<br />
France<br />
Laguin Sport, Le Havre<br />
Ad in“Tennis und Golf”, 1925).<br />
Update<br />
Please add to the list on page 624:<br />
Great Britain<br />
All sporting goods shops (retailers)<br />
prior to 1939:<br />
Auther Wright, c. 1900<br />
British Sports Depot,<br />
Bradford, c. 1915<br />
Goudie & Co., Edinborough, c. 1900<br />
Harvey, G., London, c. 1885<br />
Herberts Ltd., Eton, c. 1920<br />
Hobday Bros. Ltd.<br />
James, W. H. Ltd., London E.C.<br />
Johnson, Burton, and Theobald of<br />
Norwich, c. 1910<br />
Johnson, W.H., Sports Outfitters of<br />
Northampton, c. 1930<br />
Jones, Edwin, & Co. Ltd.<br />
Queens Building, Southampton<br />
Lewis Ltd., Liverpool, c. 1920<br />
Mead & Toomer,<br />
Southampton, c. 1910<br />
Mitchell of Manchester, c. 1900<br />
Moore C.A., Belvedere/London,<br />
c. 1880<br />
Murton’s of Newcastle and Sunderland,<br />
c. 1930<br />
New (The) Hudson Cycle Co.,<br />
Luton, c. 1910<br />
Pearson R.H. & J., Eastbourne Ltd.,<br />
c. 1890<br />
Pilch, R.G., Ltd. of Norwich, c. 1937<br />
Rodwell, Chas,<br />
London Bridge, c. 1905<br />
Said, Joseph, Malta<br />
Schreiber & Jones, c. 1937<br />
Seymour, Stan, Sports Centre<br />
Newcastle on Tyre<br />
Seymour, Jas., Sports Depot,<br />
35 B South St., Epsom<br />
Spiers & Pond Ltd., Sports Depot<br />
Queen Victoria ST. EC.<br />
Sports Ltd., Leicester, c. 1915<br />
Stockwin & Co., Birmingham, c. 1930<br />
The Sports Utilities Co. of Oldham,<br />
c. 1930<br />
Tydersley & Holborn,<br />
Manchester, c. 1910<br />
Wallis, Owen, Southend on Sea<br />
Walter Driver & Co., Weston Super<br />
Mare<br />
Ward C., Lawn-Tennis, Cricket &<br />
Football-Outfitter, Heckmondwike,<br />
Yorkshire, c. 1902<br />
Withnall C.J. and Sons Ltd., Sports<br />
Depot, Scarborough, c. 1920<br />
White, J.E., Sports‘ Outfitter, <strong>22</strong>, Sankey<br />
Street, Warrington<br />
Whitson, Alex, Manchester, c. 1915<br />
33
Book of Tennis Rackets North American Rackets<br />
Update<br />
North American Rackets<br />
Abercrombie & Fitch<br />
Bailey’s Boston<br />
Bancroft Sporting Goods Company<br />
Bard Sports Corp.<br />
BioSports Corp.<br />
Bliss R.Manufacturing Co.<br />
Broadway Tennis Racket Mfg. Co.<br />
Burkhard, WM, R.<br />
California By-Products Co.<br />
Centurion Industries<br />
Chicago Sporting Goods Co.<br />
Chris New Tech Sports Ltd.<br />
Cortland Line Company<br />
Cragin-Simplex Corp. and<br />
Garcia Corp.<br />
Crown Standard<br />
Dame, Stoddard & Co.<br />
Davis T. A. Co.<br />
Davega Sports<br />
Dayton Racquet Co.<br />
Draper & Maynard<br />
Dunbar Gibson<br />
Durbin<br />
Dynaspot Corporation<br />
Fansteel Inc.<br />
Fox Tennis Racquets Co., Inc.<br />
Gallaudet, E.F.<br />
GeostarTM Tennis Products<br />
Godfrey, C.L.<br />
Goldsmith & Sons, P.<br />
Grafalloy Corp.<br />
Granbery & Co., D.W.<br />
Hilton Collins Co.<br />
HL Corporation/Black Knight<br />
Horsman E. I.<br />
Jason W.<br />
Javithon<br />
Kent E.<br />
Korex Corporation<br />
Lee & Co., Harry<br />
Lippincott, J.B., Company<br />
Lob-Ster<br />
Lombard’s<br />
Los Angeles Metal Racket<br />
Company<br />
MacGregor/<br />
Mac Gregor Sporting Goods, Inc.<br />
Mad Raq Sports, LTD.<br />
Magnan Mfg. Corp.<br />
Match Mate<br />
Maynard<br />
Montgomery Wards<br />
Narragansett Machine Company<br />
National (The) Tennis Racket Co.<br />
OSP Olympian<br />
Partridge & Co., Horace<br />
Peadbody & Whitney<br />
PDP Sports Company<br />
Peck & Snyder<br />
Penn-General Tire<br />
Princeton Sports Products, Inc.<br />
Racquetech, Inc.<br />
Reach & Co.<br />
Schmelzer & Sons<br />
Scepter by<br />
Graphite Master, Inc.<br />
Sears, Roebuck and Co.<br />
SET<br />
Simsons<br />
Spalding A.G. & Bros.<br />
Spalding A.G. & Bros.,<br />
Wright & Ditson,<br />
Reach & Co.,<br />
Peck & Snyder,<br />
Victor Sporting Goods<br />
Speedwood Mfg. Co.<br />
SP. IN.<br />
Taylor (Alex) & Co.<br />
Tennis Cheater Drawing<br />
Tremont Research Co., Inc.<br />
Tryon, Edw. K., Company<br />
Variety Manufacturing &<br />
Engineering Co.- Fulton<br />
Victor Sporting Goods Co.<br />
Wanamaker, Fairment John<br />
Wilson Sporting Goods Co.<br />
Wright & Ditson<br />
Zebest Racquet Sports Corp.<br />
34
Book of Tennis Rackets North American Rackets<br />
Additional information to page 53:<br />
Abercrombie & Fitch<br />
(A&F), listed on the NYSE Stock<br />
Exchange<br />
Addresses:<br />
1892 to 1904, Waterfront, Downtown<br />
New York<br />
1904 to 1913: 314 Broadway<br />
1913 to 1917 just off Fifth Avenue<br />
1917 to today (2002), headquarters,<br />
Madison Avenue and 45th Street, New<br />
York<br />
Company:<br />
Excerpts from www.abercrombie.com<br />
In 1892 Abercrombie & Fitch began<br />
under the name David T. Abercrombie<br />
Co., a small waterfront shop and factory<br />
in downtown New York City owned by<br />
David Abercrombie, a shop dedicated<br />
to selling only the highest quality<br />
camping, fishing and hunting gear.<br />
Ezra Fitch, a lawyer, had come to rely<br />
upon David Abercrombie’s shop,<br />
becoming one of its most devoted<br />
customers.<br />
In 1900 he convinced D. Abercrombie<br />
to let him buy into the business and<br />
become a partner. By 1904 the shop<br />
was incorporated and the name was<br />
officially changed to Abercrombie &<br />
Fitch.<br />
Abercrombie resigned in 1907.<br />
By 1913 the store moved to a more<br />
accessible midtown address just off<br />
Fifth Avenue, expanding its inventory<br />
to include sport clothing.<br />
A&F began publishing a catalogue.<br />
This impressive book featured 456<br />
pages of outdoor gear and clothing.<br />
By 1917 Abercrombie & Fitch moved<br />
to Madison Avenue and 45th Street,<br />
where it occupied an entire twelvestory<br />
building. It had become the<br />
largest sporting goods store in the<br />
world. Ernest Hemingway bought his<br />
guns there. Presidents Hoover and<br />
Eisenhower relied on A&F for the best<br />
fishing equipment. Other famous<br />
Update<br />
clients included Amelia Earhart,<br />
Presidents Taft, Harding and Kennedy,<br />
the Duke of Windsor, Bing Crosby,<br />
Howard Hughes, Katharine Hepburn,<br />
Greta Garbo and Clark Gable.<br />
By 1928 Ezra Fitch retired from the<br />
business.<br />
Abercrombie & Fitch continued to<br />
grow, with stores opening up in<br />
Chicago and San Francisco. But by<br />
the late 1960’s the store hit upon hard<br />
times and went bankrupt in 1977.<br />
Oshman’s Sporting Goods, based in<br />
Houston, Texas, bought the company.<br />
Business wasn’t good. The Limited<br />
Inc. bought Abercrombie & Fitch in<br />
1988.<br />
And today, Abercrombie & Fitch<br />
thrives as a publicly held company. A<br />
powerful lifestyle brand, business is<br />
thriving at Abercrombie & Fitch with<br />
hundreds of stores.<br />
The company did not manufacture its<br />
offered rackets itself. They were made<br />
by other manufacturers under the A&F<br />
brand name.<br />
New information:<br />
Bailey’s Boston<br />
Boston/Mass.<br />
U.S.A.<br />
Rackets in collections:<br />
A racket of this company was offered<br />
at an auction performed by Mullock<br />
Madeley in 2004 (Dr. H. Kerling).<br />
Young America, leather collar to<br />
throat, smooth square box handle.<br />
c. 1885<br />
Additional information to page 82:<br />
Bancroft Sporting Goods<br />
Company<br />
Rackets Manufactured:<br />
From an ad in a tennis book, which<br />
was published in 1961:<br />
1961:<br />
Flexiglas<br />
“A fibreglass reinforcement puts<br />
‘spring steel’ stamina and<br />
responsiveness into this amazing new<br />
concept racket! $ 21.- strung with<br />
‘Multiply’.”<br />
From an ad in a tennis book, which<br />
was published in 1966:<br />
1966:<br />
Player’s Special<br />
“Beautifully crafted of finest quarter<br />
sawed, seasoned second growth<br />
American white ash and Bamboo, ‘the<br />
steel spring wood’. The Player’s<br />
Special was created by Ralph V.<br />
Sawyer, Bancroft’s famed designer of<br />
custom rackets for champions, to take<br />
the punishment of the Big Game match<br />
after match.”<br />
“Play America’s new No.1 tennis<br />
racket!”<br />
From an ad in a tennis book, which was<br />
published in 1968:<br />
1968: introducing the<br />
F.R.S. Composite<br />
laminated frame fibreglass reinforced<br />
with steel at all stress points.<br />
(F.R.S. = Fibre Reinforced with Steel)<br />
From an auction catalogue, Couturier,<br />
May 2000:<br />
c. 1975:<br />
B. King Wimbledon, laminated frame<br />
Lee Draisin, Martinez, CA – U.S.A.,<br />
offered additional information<br />
concerning Bancroft rackets:<br />
Ralph Sawyer, Bancroft’s racket<br />
designer from the 1950’s to the 1960’s,<br />
designed the Super Winner, Player’s<br />
Special, Epoxy Steel, Fibreglass<br />
Reinforced Steel, Tear Drop and more.<br />
35
Book of Tennis Rackets North American Rackets<br />
Update<br />
Additional information to page 87:<br />
Bard Sports Corp.<br />
Address in 1989:<br />
1<strong>22</strong>62 S.W. 117th Court<br />
Miami, FL 33186<br />
Leaflets and brochures for this<br />
addition were contributed by Glenn<br />
A. Bjorkman.<br />
Company:<br />
Please consult the chapter on<br />
Lombard’s.<br />
From 1970 to 1986 Lombard had its<br />
own gut strings “Black Phantom”, and<br />
an in-house line of racquets called<br />
“Bard”. Lombard was then sold to<br />
Herman’s Inc.<br />
1989:<br />
Widebody Pro Series:<br />
Shadow Mid-Plus<br />
Jade Elite Mid-Plus<br />
Mirage Mid-Plus<br />
Widebody Sport<br />
Series:<br />
Reflex Mid-Plus<br />
Premier Mid-Plus<br />
Arrow Mid-Plus<br />
Rackets manufactured:<br />
1982:<br />
Bard King (oversize)<br />
Bard Mid-King<br />
Bard Queen (oversize)<br />
Bard Mid-Queen<br />
Bard Jade Fire (oversize)<br />
Bard Jade Fire Mid<br />
Bard King Fire (oversize)<br />
Bard Mid-Fire<br />
Bard Junior 23”<br />
Bard Junior 25”<br />
Bard Natural Fire, three layers of<br />
ash, two of maple, and one of<br />
hardwood are reinforced with layers<br />
of graphite. Boron/Wood.<br />
Bard Natural Fire, ditto,but twohanded,<br />
Boron/Wood.<br />
Bard: Natural Fire – Graphite/Boron/wood – 1982<br />
1986:<br />
Mid Plus Series:<br />
King Mid-Plus<br />
Queen Mid-Plus<br />
Jade Fire Mid-Plus<br />
Fire Power Mid-Plus<br />
Gold Fire Mid-Plus<br />
Graff Fire Mid-Plus<br />
Mid-Fire Mid-Plus<br />
Oversize Series:<br />
King<br />
Queen<br />
Jade Fire<br />
King Fire<br />
Junior Series:<br />
Junior 23”<br />
Junior 25”<br />
Kid 23”<br />
Kid 25”<br />
36
Book of Tennis Rackets North American Rackets<br />
Update<br />
Additional information to page 96:<br />
BioSports Corp.<br />
Address in 1985:<br />
521 E. 86th Avenue<br />
Merrillville, IN 46410<br />
Leaflets and brochures for this<br />
addition were contributed by Glenn<br />
A. Bjorkman.<br />
and increases racquet speed and power<br />
by as much as 30%.<br />
The GRIPPER TM decreases energy<br />
loss by as much as 60%.<br />
The GRIPPER TM redistributes<br />
weight for ultra-light feeling without<br />
sacrifice of weight benefits.”<br />
From an ad of the company:<br />
“Why the GRIPPER works:<br />
The GRIPPER’s TM 19° Doubleellipses<br />
Biocurve TM Bennett’s Bend<br />
form-fitted grip eliminates harmful<br />
octagonal handle. Tapered and<br />
tailored to the shape of the hand, the<br />
genuine GRIPPER TM permits natural<br />
action.<br />
The GRIPPER’s TM tapered heel<br />
eliminates harmful flared butt-cap that<br />
locks little finger into ‘Death Grip’,<br />
thus causing shock to delicate areas<br />
of the arm.<br />
The GRIPPER TM requires 80% less<br />
grip pressure, trades ‘Death Grip’ for<br />
relaxed, natural grip, thus reducing<br />
tension throughout the arm, body and<br />
heart.<br />
The GRIPPER TM eliminates wrist<br />
distortion, which dangerously<br />
compresses the median nerve and<br />
arteries into injurious positions.<br />
The GRIPPER TM reduces muscle<br />
stress and fatigue by 40% and extends<br />
a player’s playing life.<br />
The GRIPPER TM reduces heart<br />
strain and relative diastolic blood<br />
pressure.<br />
The GRIPPER TM virtually eliminates<br />
ball contact shock.<br />
The GRIPPER’s TM natural alignment<br />
improves hand-to-eye co-ordination<br />
37
Book of Tennis Rackets North American Rackets<br />
Update<br />
New information:<br />
Bliss R. Manufacturing Co.<br />
Hand and Bench Screws, Clamps,<br />
Croquet Games, Boys’ and Youths’<br />
Tool Chests, &c.<br />
Pawtucket R.I.<br />
U.S.A.<br />
History:<br />
1830 to 1845: Rufus Bliss<br />
1845 to 1874: R. Bliss and Co.<br />
1874 to 1903: R. Bliss Mfg. Co.,<br />
a stock company.<br />
Locations:<br />
The change in address may not signify<br />
changes in location but to<br />
renumbering:<br />
1875: <strong>22</strong>5 Main St. –<br />
1876: 301 Main St. –<br />
1892: 535 Main St. –<br />
1904 to 1907: Branch of National<br />
Novelty Corp.<br />
1908 to 1912: Branch of Hardware and<br />
Woodenware Mfg. Co.<br />
1915 to 1918: J.H. O’Neil of Pawtucket<br />
R.I. advertised itself as the successor<br />
firm, with products “wood screws and<br />
wooden specialities”.<br />
1921: A new R. Bliss Mfg. Co.<br />
The last entry in the City Directories<br />
was 1935.<br />
Company:<br />
The firm was founded by Rufus Bliss<br />
in 1830 or 1832. He retired in 1863<br />
owing to poor health. Rufus Bliss was<br />
one of the pioneers in this country<br />
who manufactured wooden screws.<br />
They were used as bench, hand screws<br />
or clamps for pianoforte and cabinet<br />
makers. The company also made apple<br />
tree and hickory handles for chisels,<br />
augurs, awls, files and other tools. It<br />
made mallets handles of every<br />
description in immense quantities to<br />
screw or drive into the mallets.<br />
The company claims:<br />
“The R. Bliss Manufacturing Company<br />
have facilities for the production of<br />
goods in their line not surpassed by<br />
those of any house in the country.<br />
Their manufacture, one and all, stand<br />
in the front rank in their class of goods,<br />
the same careful selection of material<br />
is made, and the same perfection of<br />
manufacture is arrived at, whether the<br />
article produced is large or small.”<br />
In 1879 its products included those<br />
used in archery. The Rhode Island<br />
Historical Society has a 1892 trade<br />
catalogue for lawn tennis rackets,<br />
and croquet sets.<br />
In 1901 the company employed 350<br />
workmen.<br />
According to the 1907 financial<br />
statement, Bliss was one of the leading<br />
toy producers in the country.<br />
Bliss toys and doll’s houses are now<br />
much sought after by collectors in<br />
this field. Games, which were produced<br />
caught the eye because of their<br />
superior craftsmanship and beautiful<br />
illustrations in excellent quality and<br />
brilliant colours.<br />
Rackets manufactured:<br />
Bliss rackets were of exceptional<br />
quality and appearance. Precious dark<br />
hard woods blended with the lighter<br />
ash wood of the frame. The heart was<br />
quite often decorated with beautiful,<br />
colourful decals.<br />
1890:<br />
Ashby<br />
solid ash frame, with a red convex heart<br />
(probably tinted sycamore).<br />
Around 1905:<br />
Some Rackets were also made with<br />
laminated wedges according to<br />
Spalding’s English Patent No. 4865,<br />
1904.<br />
Selected racket from a collection:<br />
Princeton, Bliss Co., Pawtucket, R.I.,<br />
ash frame with solid convex wedge,<br />
cedar flakes on handle, flat topped.<br />
Offered in fair condition for $ 795.- in<br />
2001.<br />
Estimated: 1888<br />
References:<br />
Internet site: http://member.aol.com/<br />
ClampGuy/hist_bm1.htm<br />
Rolf Jaeger Tennis Heritage, Costa<br />
Mesa, Ca.<br />
Additional information to page 99:<br />
Broadway Tennis Racket Mfg.<br />
Co.<br />
Rackets in collections:<br />
A racket of this company was offered<br />
at an auction performed by Mullock<br />
Madeley in 2004 (Dr. H. Kerling).<br />
Modern, The, concave wedge.<br />
c. 1924<br />
New information:<br />
Burkhard, WM, R.<br />
St. Paul, Minn.<br />
U.S.A.<br />
The following racket was offered for<br />
auction at eBay between 2000 and<br />
2005 (Dr. H. Kerling):<br />
Oxford, solid ash, concave, no<br />
bindings at shoulders.<br />
c. 1898<br />
38
Book of Tennis Rackets North American Rackets<br />
Update<br />
New Information:<br />
California By-Products Co.<br />
San Francisco<br />
U.S.A.<br />
Company:<br />
Not much is known about this company, which operated in the<br />
1920’s and 30’s.<br />
The logo of the company is shown below. CBP Co., California By<br />
Products Co., also California Athletic Goods.<br />
Rackets manufactured:<br />
From an ad in the “Australasian Lawn Tennis” magazine November<br />
30, 1925. Ad featured by Maurice Samuels, Wholesale<br />
Distributors, 8a Castlereagh Street, Sydney.<br />
1925:<br />
California, concave, frame of two strips of selected white ash.<br />
Handles of solid white basswood. Shoulders reinforced with<br />
heavy taping.<br />
“World Champions, William Tilden and Bill Johnston, like the<br />
California Rackets and use them exclusively. Strung with<br />
‘California’ gut.”<br />
Racket of the collection of Aldo Romeo:<br />
California Model G, concave, laminated, five bindings on each<br />
side of the shoulders, deep grooved handle.<br />
Estimated: 1929<br />
Racket of the collection of Randy Crow:<br />
Hollywood, concave, laminated, rawhide insert, combed handle.<br />
Estimated: 1925<br />
Picture published in the<br />
USTA Magazine, issue<br />
1999.<br />
Bill Tilden, at The<br />
U . S . A .<br />
Championships, which<br />
he won first in 1920.<br />
He uses a “California”.<br />
Photographs of rackets<br />
by Aldo Romeo,<br />
Cincinnati, Ohio,<br />
U.S.A.<br />
39
Book of Tennis Rackets North American Rackets<br />
Ad in ‘American Lawn Tennis’, March 15, 1924, courtesy Glenn A. Bjorkman<br />
Update<br />
Additional information to page 108:<br />
Centurion Industries<br />
Patent used for their rackets:<br />
3 702 189<br />
Application filed March 4, 1971,<br />
continuation in part of application of<br />
Nov. 6, 1967, of Oct. 7, 1968 and of<br />
Oct. 6, 1969.<br />
Patented Nov. 7, 1972<br />
5 claims<br />
Tennis Racket<br />
Abstract: ... a one piece frame with a<br />
handle comprising a hollow core, the<br />
shaft region being formed into twin arms,<br />
which diverge in a neck portion, the<br />
hollow core being closed with a cap ...<br />
Inventors: Thomas P. Galich, Beverly<br />
Hills, California, U.S.A.<br />
Drawing: Please consult page 575 in<br />
the book.<br />
Glenn A. Bjorkman offered (in 2004)<br />
some information on the company,<br />
which he had in his possession from<br />
Carl Bjorkman+ back from 1957.<br />
“During the early 1920’s the California<br />
By-Products Company, large producer<br />
of sausage casings, began to<br />
manufacture tennis strings in South<br />
San Francisco mainly to supply<br />
Spalding’s who were in the market for<br />
hundreds of grosses. One Spalding<br />
order exceeded a million dollars<br />
according to rumours.<br />
They built up a tremendous output<br />
and finally went into bankruptcy<br />
distressing many stockholders from<br />
all walks of life who had been induced<br />
to invest. That venture was headed by<br />
Sylvan Blondheim, who is still dealing<br />
in casings in San Francisco.<br />
Carlton Gardner, sales manager from<br />
the office, and the gut string<br />
superintendent, an Italian by the name<br />
of Serra, tried to piece the fragments<br />
into a new business, The Gardner-<br />
Serra Company and this too failed.”<br />
In 1923-24, the California By-Products<br />
Company was contracted by Saxton<br />
Pope and Art Young to make<br />
broadheads for them to use on their<br />
expeditions to prove the bow & arrow’s<br />
effectiveness as a hunting implement.<br />
Saxton and Art provided CBP with the<br />
design for these heads.<br />
New information:<br />
Chicago Sporting Goods Co.<br />
1920:<br />
2053 Powell Street<br />
Chicago<br />
U.S.A.<br />
Company:<br />
The company was acquired by The<br />
Thomas E. Wilson & Co. (later Wilson<br />
Sporting Goods Co.) in 1920. It was a<br />
manufacturer of leather products and<br />
knitting goods and had just built a<br />
100.000 sq ft building at 2053 Powell<br />
Avenue. Apparently the company also<br />
made or distributed tennis rackets.<br />
Rackets manufactured:<br />
c. 1915:<br />
Triumph, convex wedge.<br />
40
Book of Tennis Rackets North American Rackets<br />
Update<br />
Additional information to page 108:<br />
Chris New Tech Sports Ltd.<br />
In a prospectus of 1984:<br />
Chris Development Corporation<br />
Leaflets and brochures for this<br />
addition were contributed by Glenn<br />
A. Bjorkman.<br />
Company:<br />
The company introduced its first<br />
rackets at the end of 1984. In 1989<br />
Chris Winkler, president, tried to sell<br />
the company to Donnay, Adidas or K-<br />
Swiss, apparently without success. In<br />
1988 the Chris CTE, as it was also<br />
called (CTE for Convex Torque<br />
Eliminator), sold about 6000 frames.<br />
Rackets distributed:<br />
1984/85<br />
CTE Star Series:<br />
Executor<br />
Power-G<br />
Competition<br />
41
Book of Tennis Rackets North American Rackets<br />
Update<br />
Additional information to page 111:<br />
Cortland Line Company<br />
Company:<br />
From a Cortland catalogue c. 1960:<br />
“Cortland has pioneered an<br />
outstanding achievement that has<br />
revolutionized the racket industry ...<br />
the use of radio frequency heating to<br />
bond the various parts of the racket<br />
into a single unit that is stronger than<br />
the original wood. Cortland’s R.F.<br />
Resin-Bonded frames. All Cortland<br />
rackets are now R.F. (radio frequency)<br />
bonded – your guarantee of a stronger,<br />
livelier racket.”<br />
Rackets manufactured:<br />
1941-1945:<br />
Joe Whalen, photodecal picture racket<br />
From a Cortland catalogue<br />
c. 1960:<br />
Aero Driver, similar to the Universal.<br />
Universal, 11 ply laminated frame of<br />
ash and fibre strips. Maple overlay.<br />
Rawhide shoulder reinforcements.<br />
Australian type shaft.<br />
Sears Cup, 11 ply laminated frame of<br />
ash and fibre strips. Australian type<br />
shaft with laminated handle flakes.<br />
Rawhide shoulder reinforcements.<br />
Named in honour of the nationally<br />
famous women’s trophy.<br />
Top Trophy, 11 ply laminated frame of<br />
ash and fibre strips. Maple overlay.<br />
Rawhide shoulder reinforcements.<br />
Australian type shaft.<br />
Aristocrat, 11 ply laminated frame of<br />
walnut dyed ash and fibre strips.<br />
Maple overlay. Rawhide shoulder<br />
reinforcements.<br />
National Champ, 11 ply laminated<br />
frame of ash and fibre strips. Maple<br />
overlay.<br />
Medallist, 9 ply laminated frame of<br />
ash and fibre strips.<br />
Guest Star, 9 ply laminated frame of<br />
ash and fibre strips.<br />
Acemaker, 8 ply laminated frame of<br />
walnut dyed and white ash strips.<br />
Club Special, 8 ply laminated frame of<br />
ash strips.<br />
American Driver. “This sturdy bat<br />
was used by the Armed Forces all over<br />
the world.” 8 ply laminated frame of<br />
dyed and white ash strips.<br />
Pacemaker, 8 ply laminated frame of<br />
ash and fibre strips.<br />
Collegian, 8 ply laminated frame of<br />
ash and fibre strips.<br />
Interceptor, 7 ply laminated hardwood<br />
frame with one black fibre strip.<br />
Junior Champ, 1½” shorter. 6 ply<br />
laminated hard wood frame.<br />
Cyclone, a full size 6 ply laminated<br />
hardwood frame<br />
Selected Rackets from collections:<br />
Pacemaker, laminated frame, made to<br />
U.S.A. Patent No. 2 147 587<br />
(dyed wooden stripes as laminations).<br />
Estimated: 1939<br />
Streamline, laminated frame, made to<br />
U.S.A. Patent No. RE 21471<br />
(dyed wooden stripes as laminations).<br />
Estimated: 1942<br />
Collegian, laminated frame, with<br />
Vulcan fibre or coloured wood inserts.<br />
Estimated: 1960<br />
National, laminated frame<br />
Estimated: 1960<br />
Cortland: Streamline c. 1942<br />
The coloured wooden stripes are easily seen (red,<br />
bluish, red).<br />
Pat. RE 21 471, marked on the racket, is identical in<br />
most respects to the original patent No. 2 147 587, of<br />
Feb. 14, 1939. It was re-issued (RE) May 28, 1940.<br />
Abbreviated claim:<br />
... coloured wood inserts as laminations ... Cortland: Pacemaker c. 1939<br />
42
Book of Tennis Rackets North American Rackets<br />
Update<br />
Additional information to page 112,<br />
and page 173:<br />
Cragin-Simplex Corp. and<br />
Garcia Corp.<br />
Walter Montenegro, long time owner<br />
of the Cragin-Simplex Corp. reports:<br />
The History of Cragin-Simplex<br />
Cragin-Simplex was established in 1914<br />
and owned by Mr. Calhoun Cragin.<br />
The Company specialized in tennis<br />
equipment and had offices at 53 Park<br />
Place, New York City.<br />
Between 1914 and 1939 when I<br />
purchased the Company, a metal press<br />
for tennis rackets in the form of an X<br />
had been contracted for, from a<br />
company by the name of Simplex Mfg.<br />
Co. and by mutual agreement Calhoun<br />
Cragin added the Simplex name to<br />
Cragin and registered the Company as<br />
Cragin-Simplex. He also used the press<br />
as part of the Simplex name, so that the<br />
X at the end of Simplex name was the<br />
picture of the metal press.<br />
Cragin-Simplex was purchased in 1937<br />
by Mr. Frank Saladino of Saladino &<br />
Sons of Chelsea, Mass. Saladino &<br />
Sons was a company that made tennis<br />
strings out of silk and nylon and he<br />
entrusted Cragin-Simplex to a few<br />
employees who did well at managing it<br />
at the beginning, so that Saladino did<br />
not have to shuttle back and forth<br />
from Massachusetts to New York too<br />
often. The tennis business in general<br />
was slow and Cragin-Simplex started<br />
to slide a bit to the extent that Saladino<br />
eventually chose to sell it. I had been<br />
doing business with Saladino and we<br />
became friends. He thought that I<br />
would be the logical man to take over<br />
Cragin-Simplex and, this became<br />
official on March 4, 1939.<br />
It was no easy task to run a company<br />
that was small and literally dead, in<br />
the face of formidable competition,<br />
such as Spalding’s, Wilson’s,<br />
McGregor’s, etc. to name just three.<br />
Through a strong and persistent<br />
desire to apply a formula that I always<br />
had much faith in, Cragin-Simplex<br />
began to improve and eventually<br />
became an important member of the<br />
tennis community of tennis suppliers.<br />
The formula? Giving value, service<br />
and quality.<br />
With the team I had, my son Bob as the<br />
Vice President and loyal employees,<br />
the future of Cragin Simplex seemed<br />
assured. We were making our own<br />
rackets, which were fairly well<br />
accepted and made some inroads in<br />
the world of tennis and squash<br />
racquets, especially as we made under<br />
private label a good portion of them to<br />
the Professionals.<br />
In squash we were fairly strong<br />
because our racquets became quite<br />
popular, especially one model called<br />
the Whipstroke. In addition our<br />
squash balls were the official balls of<br />
the US Squash Racquets Association.<br />
We supplied four balls, the Green<br />
Diamond for singles and doubles and<br />
the Yellow Diamond also for singles<br />
and doubles, which extended the<br />
squash season to a full year for the<br />
first time. With the Yellow Diamond<br />
ball squash was played in the summer,<br />
no matter how hot the weather was.<br />
The previous official ball lost its<br />
official status because it had become<br />
so bad as to hurt the game and kill the<br />
game. The Cragin ball was so good, it<br />
revived the game. Everybody was<br />
happy with it.<br />
In addition, we supplied the winning<br />
trophies each year for a few years for<br />
the professional tournaments and also<br />
published in 1962, the Squash<br />
Magazine. It was the very first<br />
magazine the Squash Association ever<br />
had and it was distributed free. It set<br />
a precedent and became extremely<br />
popular and appreciated. It is still in<br />
circulation today, thanks to another<br />
entrepreneur. We used it as a house<br />
organ, advertising only Cragin-<br />
Simplex products.<br />
All this contributed to the growth of<br />
Cragin-Simplex and one particular<br />
company, which had taken notice of<br />
it, approached us with the invitation<br />
to merge our business with theirs. This<br />
was the Garcia Corporation. A very<br />
large fishing tackle company, which<br />
had made a fine reputation through its<br />
Mitchell fishing reel among other<br />
things. Its president was well known<br />
to me. In fact we were friends and on<br />
one occasion when I introduced him<br />
to my Secretary, I learned that he took<br />
a liking to her and eventually married<br />
her.<br />
I was quite cool to the idea of the<br />
merger. After all, I had my son Bob<br />
with me as my right hand man and who<br />
was to be the heir of the business<br />
upon my passing on. Surely I was not<br />
looking for outside help. However, I<br />
was kept busy with explanations of<br />
how much Cragin-Simplex would gain<br />
together with Garcia and done so<br />
repeatedly that I eventually weakened<br />
and agreed to the merger in 1972.<br />
It was not too long after, that my son<br />
and I “saw the handwriting on the<br />
wall” and realized then that things<br />
were not rosy. It did not take long for<br />
the Garcia Corporation to file for<br />
protection from the bankruptcy Law,<br />
from which it could not recuperate.<br />
As for me the experience of seeing a<br />
strong and fairly popular company as<br />
Cragin-Simplex go “down the tube”<br />
through no fault of its own, but, rather<br />
been dragged into it, was a sad lifelasting<br />
experience. Forty years of time<br />
consuming hard work lost completely.<br />
A sad, sad story.<br />
Respectfully submitted,<br />
Walter Montenegro, May 20, 2000<br />
Rackets manufactured:<br />
From the Cragin-Simplex catalogue in<br />
1964:<br />
Professional Model, reinforced on<br />
shoulders and throat with fibres.<br />
$ 37.50 strung with VS gut.<br />
Pro-Bat, reinforced with beautiful<br />
grey fibres. $ 36.- strung with VS gut<br />
Cardinal, $ 33.- strung with VS gut<br />
Blue Arrow, horseshoe overlay of<br />
maple. $ 19.- strung with Ashaway<br />
Pro-Fected Nylon.<br />
Coronet, $ 16.50 strung.<br />
From the Cragin-Simplex catalogue<br />
about 1966/67:<br />
Crusader, 8 ply laminated<br />
Pro-Bat, ditto<br />
Cardinal, ditto<br />
Blue Arrow, ditto<br />
Coronet, 7 ply laminations<br />
Midget, ditto<br />
43
Book of Tennis Rackets North American Rackets<br />
Update<br />
New information:<br />
Crown Standard<br />
Please refer in this Update to:<br />
Lippingcott, J. B., Company<br />
715 and 717 Market St.<br />
Philadelphia<br />
New information to page 117:<br />
Davis T. A. Co.<br />
Melrose Avenue,<br />
Hollywood (1932-1947)<br />
Cleon Avenue<br />
North Hollywood (1948)<br />
a few years later:<br />
Satsuma Avenue<br />
North Hollywood<br />
Extract from an article by Glenn A.<br />
Bjorkman in the Journal of Tennis<br />
Collectors of America, Number 5,<br />
Spring-Summer 2005.<br />
Glenn A. Bjorkman: Both Victor<br />
Surgical Gut Mfg. Co. and Victor<br />
Sports were founded by his father and<br />
his uncle.<br />
Company:<br />
A few additions are made to the history<br />
of the company, which was already<br />
contributed to ‘The Book of Tennis<br />
Rackets’ by Glenn A. Bjorkman.<br />
Theophilus Anthony Davis (1885-<br />
1953) made his first tennis racket in<br />
1928 according to one account, but<br />
company records show sales starting<br />
1930.<br />
His son ‘Ladd’ (R. T. Davis), who was<br />
still in his teens, joined the company<br />
sometime in the 1930’s (Ladd retired<br />
in 1981).<br />
A racket is listed in the table on page<br />
118 with an unusual name: Phar Lap.<br />
It existed for only a very short time.<br />
The Editor of the Journal suggests:<br />
‘Presumably this model was named<br />
for Phar Lab, the New Zealand-bred<br />
horse, the winner of the Melbourne<br />
Cup, born in 1927, who won 37 of 51<br />
races he entered.’<br />
The last racket that T.A. Davis<br />
designed was the Imperial in 1953.<br />
The Imperial de Luxe racket, which<br />
followed 1965 based on this design is<br />
considered to be one of the most<br />
beautiful wooden rackets ever made<br />
having a full length facing down the<br />
shaft to the handle using an exotic<br />
wood called Paldao.<br />
The slogan: ‘King of the Courts’<br />
appearing on the labels on their<br />
rackets was first used in 1952, the<br />
designation ‘TAD Davis’ starting in<br />
1955. Later many tennis players<br />
referred to the company as the ‘TAD<br />
Davis Company’.<br />
The Davis family crest and the TAD<br />
diamond appeared early in the 1930’s.<br />
The diamond is reflective of the<br />
diagonal stringing, which Davis<br />
promoted in many of its models. Early<br />
models either had no butt caps or<br />
plain ones of black-coated fabric. After<br />
affiliation with Victor Sports, the<br />
coated fabric caps had the Victor “V”<br />
with the famous trademark of a tennis<br />
player. This player is none other than<br />
Frank Shields who was tennis player,<br />
actor, and grandfather of Brooke<br />
Shields.<br />
In 1961 the switch was made to<br />
moulded plastic butt caps with the<br />
familiar “TAD” imprint.<br />
Davis did not pay any players to use<br />
Davis rackets. Victor/Davis policy was<br />
to put money into product<br />
development rather than into<br />
endorsements.<br />
Clasiden TM was the trademark used as<br />
an under facing lamination with<br />
fibreglass in the new Classic racket<br />
introduced in 1971.<br />
Davis made only one private brand<br />
tennis racket the “Regency” in both<br />
standard and midsize versions for the<br />
Herman’s Sporting Goods store chain<br />
in the late 1970’s.<br />
New information:<br />
Dame, Stoddard & Co.<br />
274 Washington Street<br />
Boston, Mass.<br />
USA<br />
Company:<br />
Fishing rod and fly dealer.<br />
Racket offered at eBay 2006:<br />
Dame, Stoddard & Co.: Racket c. 1908<br />
44
Book of Tennis Rackets North American Rackets<br />
Update<br />
New information:<br />
Davega Sports<br />
Division of Atlas Stores Corp. of<br />
America<br />
Probably situated at Fifth Avenue<br />
corner Fifty-Sixth Street<br />
New York<br />
U.S.A.<br />
Davega Sports: Champion, c. 1930<br />
Company:<br />
The Atlas Corp. was founded by Floyd<br />
Odlum. In 1932, Odlum bought a<br />
department store in New York and<br />
integrated it into the Atlas Corp.<br />
The company distributed also tennis<br />
balls in cans with the name “Davega”.<br />
Reference: Please consult the<br />
“Journal of The Tennis Collectors of<br />
America” Number 4, “Davega<br />
Sporting Goods Company”, by Greg<br />
High, Sarasota, FL for comprehensive<br />
information.<br />
Rackets in collections:<br />
Champion, solid frame, concave,<br />
throat-piece of beach, cedar shingles,<br />
combed. Butt leather.<br />
c. 1930<br />
A racket of this company was offered<br />
at an auction performed by Mullock<br />
Madeley in 1999 (Dr. H. Kerling).<br />
Driver, concave wedge.<br />
c. 1930<br />
Rackets manufactured in the 1930’s:<br />
Imperial, President, Leadall, Ace,<br />
Triumph<br />
45
Book of Tennis Rackets North American Rackets<br />
Update<br />
Additional information to page 121:<br />
Dayton Racquet Co.<br />
Excerpt from a report on the company<br />
published in “The Sporting Goods<br />
Dealer”, August, 1966.<br />
Company:<br />
E. Louis Munday took over the plant<br />
from his brother, R. E. Munday, in<br />
1934, and moved it out of Dayton,<br />
Ohio, from which the name derives, to<br />
the new location in an abandoned<br />
foundry, 302 Albright Street,<br />
Arcanum, Ohio, in the same year.<br />
In 1966 the company had 17<br />
employees, mostly women. A strictly<br />
casual production line turns out 100<br />
rackets “or so” a day, including tennis,<br />
badminton and paddle tennis. Primary<br />
purchasers of Dayton rackets are<br />
schools, playgrounds and recreation<br />
centres. “Steel rackets”, Munday<br />
explains, “last, last and last without<br />
pampering. Our hollow-core steel<br />
strings rebound faster than gut. They<br />
put more spin on the ball. They are not<br />
affected by the weather.<br />
In the production process, after the<br />
frames are bent into shape and the<br />
sand in the tubes (required for proper<br />
bending) removed, they receive a heat<br />
treatment (1600 °F or approx. 980<br />
°C) and then are plunged into oil. This<br />
makes the steel hard but brittle. Next<br />
they go into a draw furnace, which<br />
relieves the strain and makes the steel<br />
tough but flexible.”<br />
The frames emerge from the furnace<br />
black and scaled, but sandblasting<br />
dresses them up.<br />
“The actual stringing is done by hand<br />
by women. Plain steel wire won’t do<br />
for the strings. Twisting music wire to<br />
form hollow-core filament, six wires<br />
for tennis and five for badminton forms<br />
them.<br />
Sycamore and basswood are used for<br />
the handles.”<br />
Comment: Dayton made apparently<br />
only rackets with steel frames strung<br />
with hollow core twisted wire. They<br />
made such rackets from 1920 until<br />
the late 1980’s.<br />
Rackets of the company are presented<br />
in a prospectus, dated March, 1958:<br />
Rackets manufactured:<br />
1958:<br />
All rackets with a relatively small open<br />
heart compared to those Dayton<br />
rackets, which were made earlier.<br />
Lone Eagle, steel frame chromium<br />
finished, copper coated steel string,<br />
10 main strings rubber cushioned.<br />
Clipper, steel frame with a two-tone<br />
finish – red and white. Blue trim.<br />
Flyer, hickory-coloured steel frame.<br />
Cadet, steel frame in plain hickory<br />
finish.<br />
Racket in a collection:<br />
Pilot, steel frame with piano wire<br />
stringing<br />
Estimated: 1928<br />
Air Flight, c. 1930<br />
Aviator, c. 1930<br />
Randy Crow reports (Oct. 2002):<br />
Most Dayton rackets with leather butt<br />
caps were made between 19<strong>22</strong> and<br />
1934. Later they began to use plastic<br />
butt caps.<br />
46
Book of Tennis Rackets North American Rackets<br />
Update<br />
eBay auction 2006:<br />
Aviator, c. 1935<br />
Dayton: Aviator, c. 1935<br />
New information:<br />
Dunbar Gibson<br />
New York/U.S.A.<br />
Rackets distributed:<br />
Auction Mullock Madeley Dec. 2000:<br />
A laminated racket was offered.<br />
Additional information to page 137:<br />
Draper & Maynard<br />
Sporting Goods Co. of<br />
Plymouth<br />
1900: Main Street<br />
Plymouth, New Hampshire<br />
U.S.A.<br />
Company:<br />
Draper & Maynard was a famous<br />
Sporting Goods Company that existed<br />
from 1840 to 1937 in Plymouth, N.H. In<br />
fact, it’s common belief that the<br />
company produced the first baseball<br />
glove in the country around 1895. Babe<br />
Ruth and his Red Sox team-mates<br />
frequently visited the D&M factory<br />
and made suggestions on improving<br />
the gloves. The figure of a dog,<br />
resembling John Maynard’s bird dog,<br />
became the trademark of the D&M<br />
products. The “Lucky Dog” logo was<br />
used on baseballs, gloves and other<br />
sporting goods (including tennis<br />
rackets) acquiring nationwide<br />
reputation from about 1900 to 1937.<br />
The Company went out of business in<br />
Plymouth in that year.<br />
In the same year, Goldsmith, another<br />
sporting goods company,<br />
headquartered in Cincinnati,<br />
purchased the company, including the<br />
rights to manufacture products under<br />
the D&M name. It discontinued<br />
production in Plymouth and auctioned<br />
off all the equipment. They stopped<br />
manufacturing D&M products in 1962<br />
when Goldsmith merged with<br />
MacGregor, subsequently Brunswick<br />
Corp. The Cincinnati Historical<br />
Society says city directories from 1942<br />
to 1962 list a Draper-Maynard Sporting<br />
Goods Co. on York Street and later on<br />
Spring Grove Avenue.<br />
The “D&M Draper Co. Ltd. in Japan<br />
was already formed as a representative<br />
for the company in Japan, in 1901. It<br />
still prospers and had its centennial in<br />
2001. The “Plymouth Week”, June 4 -<br />
17, 2001, writes: “The ‘Lucky Dog’<br />
lives on in Tokyo”.<br />
Rackets in collections:<br />
c. 1915:<br />
Sunapee, convex, combed handle<br />
c. 1925:<br />
Duchess, ladies’ model, with bulbous<br />
handle<br />
Ossipee, with the ‘Lucky Dog’ logo<br />
c. 1930:<br />
Olympic, with the ‘Lucky Dog’ logo<br />
c. 1937:<br />
Challenge<br />
Laminated frame. Seven plies.<br />
Coloured wood inserts. Sycamore<br />
heart. Concave. Two bindings at<br />
shoulders. Sycamore shingles at<br />
handle. Leather wrapped handle. Butt<br />
leather. Decal on racket shows a<br />
Dalmatian dog. “The lucky Dog Kind”<br />
c. 1930:<br />
A racket of this company was offered<br />
at an auction performed by Christie’s<br />
in 2001 (Dr. H. Kerling).<br />
Princess<br />
eBay auction 2007:<br />
Tecumseh,<br />
c. 1928<br />
Draper & Maynard: Tecumseh, c. 1928<br />
Draper & Maynard: Challenge c. 1937<br />
47
Book of Tennis Rackets North American Rackets<br />
Update<br />
Additional information to page 150:<br />
Durbin<br />
Company:<br />
Princeton Sports Products, Inc. (PSP)<br />
Exeter, NH 03833,<br />
distributed the “Durbin” rackets as<br />
documented on a company leaflet of<br />
Nov.1982, which was provided by<br />
Glenn A. Bjorkman.<br />
Rackets distributed:<br />
1982:<br />
Durbin TM metal frame<br />
Durbin TM Graphite<br />
PSP claims in its leaflet on the<br />
Durbin TM Graphite (extract):<br />
“Frankly, we call the Durbin TM Graphite<br />
ultimate because no other<br />
graphite racket achieves this level<br />
of refinement, this superb<br />
performance. It is the culmination<br />
of flawless, scientific design, which<br />
exploits the benefits of a remarkable<br />
man-made fibre to the highest<br />
degree.<br />
Professor Enoch Durbin, inventor<br />
of the Durbin TM , retained and finetuned<br />
all the virtues crafted into<br />
the aluminium racket and<br />
augmented them in the Durbin TM<br />
Graphite.<br />
Its aerodynamically slim frame<br />
delivers extra speed. Feel and<br />
mobility unobtainable and<br />
unrecognisable in other graphite<br />
rackets are made vitally positive by<br />
the exact headlight balance and<br />
unique mass distribution. Reducing<br />
the frame’s frontal area by 25% over<br />
comparable graphite rackets makes<br />
the Durbin TM Graphite supremely<br />
fast and direct.”<br />
48
Book of Tennis Rackets North American Rackets<br />
Additional information to page 151:<br />
Dynaspot Corporation<br />
Company:<br />
Leaflets and brochures for this<br />
addition were contributed by Glenn<br />
A. Bjorkman.<br />
The company claims in one of its<br />
leaflets (extract):<br />
“Both of the movable mass rackets<br />
below have the same basic midsize<br />
frame design. The moveable mass<br />
positions itself close to the handle on<br />
volleys to provide better mobility. On<br />
serves and ground strokes the movable<br />
mass positions itself at the tip of the<br />
racket to produce greater power.”<br />
Rackets distributed:<br />
1987:<br />
GS 120<br />
GS <strong>22</strong>0<br />
These rackets are similar in their<br />
appearance, however, the GS 120 is<br />
stiffer than the GS <strong>22</strong>0.<br />
Patent:<br />
1982:<br />
4 330 125<br />
Application filed August <strong>22</strong>, 1980<br />
Patented May 18, 1982<br />
Apparatus for reducing torque and<br />
vibration in racquets<br />
Abstract<br />
A device for reducing torque and<br />
vibration caused by an off-centre<br />
impact between a ball and the face of<br />
a racquet. The device includes tubular<br />
guide means located about the<br />
periphery of the racquet head.<br />
Movement of the racquet by an offcentre<br />
impact causes the<br />
counterbalancing weights to be<br />
displaced.<br />
Inventor: Sassler; Marvin L.<br />
(Wayne, NJ)<br />
Update<br />
When the ball is hit off-centre, the fluid accelerates toward the<br />
opposite side of the racket. This fluid motion generates a<br />
gyroscopic action that helps reduce racket twist.<br />
49
Book of Tennis Rackets North American Rackets<br />
Additional information to page 156:<br />
Fansteel Inc.<br />
Address:<br />
1 Tantalum Place<br />
North Chicago, IL , 60064<br />
U.S.A.<br />
Company:<br />
Business activity in 2005:<br />
Fansteel is comprised of three premier<br />
metal manufacturers of customerengineered<br />
components. Facilities<br />
manufacture a variety of products<br />
including premium aluminium and<br />
magnesium sand castings, automotive<br />
and commercial investment castings,<br />
and powdered metal components.<br />
Value added processes such as<br />
machining, assembly and coatings are<br />
available.<br />
Principle markets served by Fansteel<br />
include aerospace, agricultural<br />
equipment, automotive, defence,<br />
electrical appliances, fluid controls,<br />
lawn and garden, industrial hardware<br />
and power tools.<br />
Each operation provides a wide range<br />
of specialized engineering and<br />
technical support to assist the<br />
customers from development to the<br />
final product.<br />
Fansteel to purchase the remaining<br />
equipment, which had been used in<br />
the past to make graphite golf shafts<br />
and tennis rackets. Their offer was<br />
accepted and Grafalloy is getting all of<br />
the moulds, sanders, and related<br />
equipment used to make tennis rackets<br />
while CompositAir will get two large<br />
presses, the big filament-winding<br />
machine made many years ago by<br />
Goldsworthy.<br />
Engineering, cutting tables, ovens,<br />
lathes, and miscellaneous other<br />
equipment.<br />
Tennis rackets:<br />
After only a few years of racket<br />
production Fansteel sold its racket<br />
business to Grafalloy in 1980/81 and<br />
did not resume that business field<br />
again. Please consult the chapter on<br />
Grafalloy for further details.<br />
Leaflets and brochures for this<br />
addition were contributed by Glenn A.<br />
Bjorkman.<br />
Additional information to page 168:<br />
Fox Tennis Racquets Co., Inc.<br />
9812 Independence Ave.<br />
Chatsworth CA 91311<br />
Company:<br />
In a brochure of the company the<br />
address of Raquetech, Inc. is given as<br />
Independence Ave., Chatsworth, CA.,<br />
in 1983<br />
This company probably succeeded the<br />
Graphite Sales Company, which was<br />
mentioned by Bill Hodges in his<br />
original report in the book. The Fox<br />
tennis rackets were made here in a<br />
factory with a manufacturing area of<br />
about 10.000 sq.ft. The company<br />
became FTM (Fox-Thrifty-Miller) in<br />
1985. The company changed its name<br />
(and probably also its ownership)<br />
again about 1990 from FTM to Pro<br />
Sports U.S.A., Co. (Fox Sports<br />
Products, a division of Pro Sports<br />
U.S.A., Co.) with a new address: 1025<br />
South Major Street, Salt Lake City, UT<br />
84111.<br />
Trademark on the left side in 1983<br />
Trademark in 1993<br />
Update<br />
Rackets manufactured:<br />
1983:<br />
ATP Quantum Fox<br />
1983:<br />
The Bosworth Signature Series:<br />
the Sports Illustrated calls Bosworth<br />
“The Wizard of Boz.”<br />
Bosworth Signature 215, graphite,<br />
midsize<br />
Bosworth Signature 210, graphite,<br />
midsize<br />
Bosworth Signature 110, magnesium<br />
alloy, midsize<br />
From the FTM (Fox-Thrifty-Miller)<br />
company:<br />
1985: (from a price list Jan. 1985)<br />
Bosworth Series:<br />
Graphite WB-210, midsize<br />
Ceramic WB-210, midsize<br />
Boron Comp WB-210, midsize<br />
Graphite WB-215, midsize<br />
Ceramic WB-215, midsize<br />
Boron Comp WB-215, midsize<br />
Traditional Series:<br />
Gold Fox, midsize<br />
Silver Fox, oversize<br />
Red Fox, midsize<br />
Bronce Fox, midsize<br />
From the FTM (Fox-Thrifty-Miller)<br />
company:<br />
1989: (from a price list Feb. 1989)<br />
Bosworth Performance Series,<br />
widebody design:<br />
Dynamite<br />
Target 210<br />
Double Edge<br />
Tournament<br />
Quantum 118<br />
Fox Force<br />
Bosworth Signature Series:<br />
Turk WB-210<br />
Royal Pro WB-210<br />
Ceramic Precision 210<br />
Ceramic Precision 215<br />
Precision Pro WB-210<br />
Fire Ball Jr.<br />
Bosworth Traditional Series:<br />
New Silver Fox<br />
White Fox<br />
From Pro Sports U.S.A., Co.:<br />
1993: (from a price list July 1993)<br />
High Performance Graphite Series:<br />
Target Plus<br />
50
Book of Tennis Rackets North American Rackets<br />
Update<br />
Target<br />
Dynamite Plus<br />
Explosion Extra<br />
Explosion<br />
Aero Plus<br />
Aero<br />
Tournament<br />
Aluminium Series:<br />
Phoenix<br />
Saturn Jumbo<br />
Saturn Oversize<br />
Aero Mars<br />
Novice<br />
Jr. Superlite 25<br />
Jr. Superlite 23<br />
Jr. Superlite 21<br />
Cub 25<br />
Cub 23<br />
1994: (from a price list August 1994)<br />
Fox Pro Series:<br />
Evolution 2.2<br />
Pro Class 1.9<br />
Explosion<br />
Explosion Extra<br />
Fox Widebody Series:<br />
Target Plus<br />
Target<br />
Dynamite Plus<br />
Aero<br />
Tournament<br />
Fox Performance Series:<br />
Super Hawk<br />
Falcon<br />
Phoenix<br />
Aero Mars<br />
Jr. Superlite 25<br />
Jr. Superlite 23<br />
Jr. Superlite 21<br />
Fox Sports Products: Explosion Extra 1993<br />
Leaflets and brochures for this<br />
addition were contributed by Glenn<br />
A. Bjorkman.<br />
51
Book of Tennis Rackets North American Rackets<br />
Additional information to page 177:<br />
Geostar TM Tennis Products<br />
1650 West Alameda Drive<br />
Tempe, Arizona 85282<br />
Another address is also given:<br />
6900 E. Camelback Rd.<br />
Scottsdale/Arizona 85251<br />
U.S.A.<br />
Leaflets and brochures for this<br />
addition were contributed by Glenn<br />
A. Bjorkman.<br />
Update<br />
Company:<br />
There is no information available on<br />
this company.<br />
Rackets distributed:<br />
1979:<br />
Geostar, aluminium alloy, cocoa<br />
coloured anodised, standard size<br />
racket, throat piece of DuPont TM<br />
Zytel TM .<br />
Comment by author:<br />
This stringing system was already<br />
described in one of Lunn’s leaflets<br />
(English racket manufacturer) in the<br />
1890’s.<br />
New information:<br />
Gallaudet, E.F.<br />
East Greenwich, R.I.<br />
U.S.A.<br />
eBay auction 2008:<br />
Streamline, Waterfroof, B.<br />
c. 1928<br />
In black print on the side: Gallaudet<br />
Strung Waterproof, Patent Pending,<br />
Model No.<br />
Gallaudet: Streamline, Waterproof, c. 1928<br />
52
Book of Tennis Rackets North American Rackets<br />
Update<br />
New information:<br />
Godfrey, C.L.<br />
‘The peak of quality’<br />
Pawtucket, R.I.<br />
U.S.A.<br />
Company:<br />
Charles L. Godfrey, Corona, N.Y. filed<br />
a patent for a Tennis racket Oct. 9,<br />
1923 and it was granted to him Oct. 29,<br />
1929.<br />
Please refer to the “Book” page 542.<br />
Rackets in collections:<br />
Wilding, The, oval, concave,<br />
laminated, combed wooden handle.<br />
Reinforced shoulders.<br />
Estimated: 1935<br />
Beverly Hills, c. 1930-35<br />
Thorobred, c. 1930-35<br />
Godfrey: Beverly Hills, c. 1930-35<br />
“The Peak of Quality”<br />
Trademark, New York, N.Y.<br />
All Photos: Courtesy Rodney Lack<br />
Godfrey: Thorobred c. 1930-35<br />
“The Peak of Quality”<br />
Pat’d Stringing<br />
US Patent No. 1733960 Oct. 29. ‘29<br />
53
Book of Tennis Rackets North American Rackets<br />
Update<br />
New information:<br />
Goldsmith & Sons, P.<br />
Cincinnati/Ohio<br />
U.S.A.<br />
Company: This sporting goods<br />
company operated from, it is believed,<br />
1910 dealing in baseball and football.<br />
But tennis rackets were also offered in<br />
their early days. Perhaps they were<br />
contractually manufactured by<br />
another company. The company<br />
bought Draper & Maynard in 1937.<br />
However, it discontinued production<br />
in Plymouth where D&M was located<br />
and auctioned off all the equipment.<br />
In the early 1940’s it was acquired by<br />
MacGregor Sporting Goods out of<br />
Dayton, who operated the company<br />
under the name of MacGregor-<br />
Goldsmith.<br />
They stopped manufacturing D&M<br />
products in 1962 when MacGregor-<br />
Goldsmith merged completely with<br />
MacGregor, subsequently the<br />
Brunswick Company.<br />
Rackets manufactured:<br />
c. 1930:<br />
The Duchess with bulbous handle<br />
c. 1938:<br />
Olympic Star, photodecal racket<br />
featuring Babe Didrickson<br />
New information:<br />
Grafalloy Corp.<br />
in 1981:<br />
1020 North Marshall Avenue<br />
El Cajon, California 92020<br />
in 2005:<br />
Grafalloy<br />
8275 Tournament Drive<br />
Memphis, TN 38125<br />
U.S.A.<br />
Company:<br />
Extract from the ACM Newsletter No.<br />
111 issued January 1981:<br />
“Graphite tennis racket production<br />
seems to be growing steadily and<br />
Grafalloy expects to increase<br />
substantially their share of this<br />
market.They teamed with CompositAir<br />
Inc. to make a joint proposal to<br />
Fansteel to purchase the remaining<br />
equipment, which had been used in<br />
the past to make graphite golf shafts<br />
and tennis rackets. Their offer was<br />
accepted and Grafalloy is getting all<br />
of the moulds, sanders, and related<br />
equipment used to make tennis rackets<br />
while CompositAir will get two large<br />
presses, the big filament-winding<br />
machine made many years ago by<br />
Goldsworthy Engineering, cutting<br />
tables, ovens, lathes, and<br />
miscellaneous other equipment for<br />
use in expanding current<br />
manufacturing capabilities. This<br />
equipment will be installed at their<br />
new plant in Santee. CompositAir,<br />
however, have no intention of making<br />
any sports equipment.<br />
Fansteel also had several thousand C-<br />
6 graphite tennis rackets in stock, and<br />
these were recently purchased by<br />
‘ProGroup’. It is reasonable to assume<br />
that Grafalloy will be manufacturing<br />
all of the C-6 rackets in the future; but<br />
as of this date, no contractual<br />
agreement between them and<br />
ProGroup has been announced.<br />
The standard C-6 racket was shown<br />
recently at the Miami tennis show but<br />
the new midsize version is not yet<br />
officially on the market. The official<br />
introduction of the midsize C-6 is likely<br />
to occur during mid-1981 when<br />
Grafalloy will presumably be in regular<br />
production on these and the standard<br />
size frames. Grafalloy may be in no<br />
hurry since they are reported to be<br />
workling on orders totaling well over<br />
50,000 graphite frames for delivery to<br />
Prince and Bancroft. Production of<br />
graphite tennis rackets should exceed<br />
60-70.000 this year, possibly by a<br />
substantial margin. Production of<br />
graphite golf shafts is also holding up<br />
well.”<br />
The company in 2005:<br />
Grafalloy is a leading manufacturer of<br />
state of the art golf carbon fibre wood<br />
and iron shafts. Grafalloy continues<br />
to pioneer cutting-edge, industryleading<br />
technologies such as blue<br />
micro-mesh tip technology and<br />
nanotechnology. These proprietary<br />
advances in technology coupled with<br />
an unwavering focus on quality places<br />
Grafalloy among the favourite brands<br />
week in and week out on tour.<br />
Rackets manufactured:<br />
1981:<br />
C6 standard size<br />
C6 midsize<br />
The mentioned newsletter for this<br />
addition was contributed by Glenn A.<br />
Bjorkman.<br />
54
Book of Tennis Rackets North American Rackets<br />
Additional information to page 179:<br />
Granbery & Co., D.W.<br />
Please change spelling from Granberry<br />
to Granbery in the book.<br />
Formerly: Hall, Nicoll & Granbery<br />
Update<br />
From an ad in Harper`s Young People,<br />
June 1885:<br />
Rackets Manufactured:<br />
1885:<br />
No. H1, concave, flat topped, smaller<br />
for young people<br />
No. H2, convex, regular size, oval face<br />
No. H3, ditto, but finer finished<br />
No. H4, this racket is known as the<br />
“Alexandra”. It is made by the wellknown<br />
London Manufacturers,<br />
“Feltham & Co.” Concave, flat<br />
topped.<br />
No. H5, renamed newly as the<br />
“Shepard Racket” in 1885.<br />
Concave, flat topped. It was awarded<br />
First Prize at the New Orleans<br />
Exhibition.<br />
Selected racket of a collection:<br />
Association, solid ash frame, convex,<br />
semi flat topped. On racket:<br />
“Handmade New York”. Offered in<br />
good condition for $ 875.- in 2001.<br />
Estimated: 1885<br />
Granbery: Ad from June 2, 1885<br />
Lawn Tennis Catalogue and Directions<br />
for Playing 1885, D.W. Granbery & Co.<br />
Courtesy Rolf Jaeger<br />
55
Book of Tennis Rackets North American Rackets<br />
Update<br />
New information:<br />
Hilton Collins Co.<br />
Incorporated<br />
Louisville, KY.<br />
U.S.A.<br />
Company:<br />
Abbreviation H C.<br />
High Class Sporting Goods.<br />
Hilton Collins: Lafayette c. 1910<br />
Photographs courtesy Dr. H. Kerling<br />
Additional information to page 211and<br />
to page 98:<br />
HL Corporation<br />
including information on<br />
Black Knight<br />
Company:<br />
From a circular letter of the company,<br />
c. 1993, “Celebrating 20 years of<br />
Quality in Badminton”:<br />
“Richard Haglund and Henry Linden<br />
started the company by the name of<br />
HL International Sports in 1973. Their<br />
product included what was to become<br />
the number one feather shuttlecock in<br />
the U.S.A., and one of the top shuttles<br />
worldwide.<br />
HL was able to develop the method<br />
and technology to bind graphite into<br />
shapes, and thus to make rackets out<br />
of this new space age material. A failure<br />
to patent the process and idea cost<br />
the company dearly. Even though the<br />
likes of the Dupont Company worked<br />
with, and expressed interest in HL and<br />
its products, the failure to maintain<br />
control of the process allowed other<br />
established racket companies to<br />
benefit far more from the development<br />
than HL itself. In the late 1970’s, a<br />
financial setback was the final straw,<br />
HL’s sales manager left and started a<br />
new brand of rackets and shuttles<br />
along with the Canadian founder of<br />
‘Black Knight’. This was the origin of<br />
Black Knight products in the U.S.A.<br />
Soon after HL was sold to new owners<br />
and was back in the badminton<br />
business. Both companies existed and<br />
competed with each other until 1988.<br />
In that year the two companies merged<br />
and formed HL Corporation. The<br />
strength of HL lies in the people who<br />
own it and run it. It truly is ‘A<br />
Badminton Company’. All of the<br />
officers are top-level US players or<br />
people who have worked in the Sport<br />
for years. HL is the current sponsor of<br />
the California Interscholastic<br />
Federation, and has been the sponsor<br />
of numerous national and international<br />
events including the US Open. In the<br />
past five years HL has been the driving<br />
force in expanding the horizons for<br />
badminton in the educational sphere<br />
and trying to upgrade the recreational<br />
‘player’ to ‘enthusiast’!”<br />
56
Book of Tennis Rackets North American Rackets<br />
Additional information to page 213:<br />
Horsman E. I.<br />
Sales rooms locations:<br />
1882: 80 and 82 William Street<br />
1891: 341 Broadway<br />
1902: 354 Broadway<br />
1907: 365 and 367 Broadway<br />
1910: 365 Broadway<br />
New York<br />
U.S.A.<br />
1882: Manufactory Valley Falls, Rhode<br />
Island.<br />
Please consult Randy Crow’s article<br />
for further information on the Horsman<br />
history (E.I. Horsman & the First<br />
American Racket), which was<br />
published in the “Journal of The<br />
Tennis Collectors of America”, Number<br />
11, Spring-Summer 2007.<br />
Expert Casino, ditto<br />
Berkeley<br />
From an ad by Horsman in “The Country<br />
Illustrated Monthly Magazine”,<br />
section “Sporting Goods”, page 53:<br />
1890:<br />
Eclipse<br />
Montaux<br />
Seabright<br />
Special<br />
Casino<br />
From an ad:<br />
1890:<br />
Richmond, concave, flat topped<br />
From an ad<br />
c. 1891:<br />
Eclipse<br />
Update<br />
Narragansett Machine Co. of<br />
Providence, R.I., (collection Randy<br />
Crow), with the Centaur logo, as<br />
shown below for the Clermont model.<br />
c. 1908:<br />
Clermont<br />
Slightly flat topped. Mahogany heart.<br />
Cedar shingles. Handle with deep<br />
grooves. Butt leather. Brass screw.<br />
Racket in an auction:<br />
The following racket was offered for<br />
auction at eBay between 2000 and 2005<br />
(Dr. H. Kerling):<br />
Briarcliff, convex, solid ash.<br />
c. 1908 Laminated wedge. Decal in<br />
gold showing a horse with the head of<br />
a man.<br />
Horsman usually branded its rackets<br />
using the following mark from c. 1880<br />
to about 1889.<br />
Rackets manufactured:<br />
From the “Horsman 1882 Sporting<br />
Goods Catalogue” mentioned by<br />
Randy Crow in his article:<br />
1882:<br />
# 30<br />
# 50<br />
both tilt top tennis rackets “made<br />
exactly on the model of Jefferies of<br />
London” (please consult the article<br />
mentioned).<br />
From an ad by Horsman in “The<br />
Country Illustrated Monthly<br />
Magazine”, section “Sporting Goods”.<br />
1885:<br />
Brighton<br />
Casino<br />
Elberon<br />
Championship<br />
From an ad<br />
c. 1887:<br />
Casino<br />
Elberon<br />
Championship<br />
Berkeley<br />
From an ad by Horsman in “The<br />
Country Illustrated Monthly<br />
Magazine”, June 1888, section<br />
“Sporting Goods”, page 33:<br />
1888:<br />
Seabright, new, convex, flat topped<br />
From an ad:<br />
1893:<br />
Tuxedo Expert<br />
From an ad:<br />
1902:<br />
Tuxedo Expert<br />
Princeton Special<br />
From an ad:<br />
1905:<br />
Newport<br />
From an ad:<br />
1907:<br />
Centaur<br />
Seabright<br />
A-1 Model<br />
B Model<br />
Horsman Expert<br />
Hyde<br />
From an ad:<br />
1910:<br />
Horsman Model A-X<br />
From an ad:<br />
1911:<br />
Horsman Model A-X<br />
Racket collections:<br />
early 1880’s:<br />
“3”, tilt top (please consult Randy<br />
Crow’s article)<br />
c. 1905:<br />
Newport Model, made by the<br />
Horsman: Clermont c. 1908<br />
Centaur Trademark<br />
Trademark of Horsman<br />
57
Book of Tennis Rackets North American Rackets<br />
Update<br />
Advertisement in “The Century Illustrated Monthly Magazine”, May 1882, section “Sporting Goods”, page 14:<br />
Ad c. 1887. Address 80 William Street, New York City. Rackets: The Casino,<br />
Elberon, Championship and Berkeley<br />
Ad 1888. Address 80 and 82 William Street, New-York. Rackets: Seabright,<br />
Expert Casino.<br />
“The Century Illustrated Monthly Magazine”, June 1888<br />
Ad 1890. Address 80 and 82 William<br />
Street, New-York. Rackets: Eclipse,<br />
Montauk, Seabright Special and<br />
Casino<br />
“The Century Illustrated Monthly<br />
Ad 1891. Address 341 Broadway, New York. Racket: Eclipse<br />
58
Book of Tennis Rackets North American Rackets<br />
Update<br />
Ad 1893. Address 341 Broadway, New York. Racket:<br />
Tuxedo Expert<br />
Ad 1910. Address 365 Broadway, N. Y.<br />
Racket: Horsman Model A-X<br />
Ad 1902. Address 354 Broadway, New York. Rackets:<br />
Tuxedo Expert, Princeton Special<br />
Ad 1907. Address 365 and 367 Broadway, New York. Rackets: The<br />
Centaur, The Seabright, The A-1 Model, The B Model, The Horsman<br />
Expert, The Hyde<br />
Ad 1911. Address 365 Broadway, N. Y.<br />
Racket: The Horsman Model A-X<br />
59
Book of Tennis Rackets North American Rackets<br />
Update<br />
New information:<br />
Jason W.<br />
probably U.S.A.<br />
Company:<br />
No information is available on this<br />
company.<br />
Rackets in collections:<br />
Championship Model, laminated<br />
construction, full overlay at shoulder,<br />
Vulcan fibre insert. Shaft with an<br />
unusual white (plastic?) ivory like<br />
insert 3 mm thick from face to handle.<br />
Estimated: 1960<br />
Jason: Jason, white insert from face<br />
to handle c. 3 mm thick – c. 1960<br />
Additional information to page <strong>22</strong>9:<br />
Kent E.<br />
The following rackets were listed on a<br />
leaflet (1913) of the company for<br />
auction at eBay between 2000 and 2005<br />
(Dr. H. Kerling):<br />
Rackets manufactured:<br />
1913:<br />
Ambassador, convex wedge<br />
Kenoak, concave wedge<br />
Selected rackets in collections:<br />
“230”<br />
Solid frame. Convex. Mahogany heart.<br />
Laminated wedge. Cedar shingles.<br />
Combed handle. Butt leather.<br />
Estimated: 1908<br />
Country Club<br />
Solid frame. Bevelled on the inside.<br />
Concave. One binding at shoulder.<br />
Mahogany heart. Cedar shingles.<br />
Combed handle. Butt leather. Brass<br />
screw. On Racket: Made by E. Kent,<br />
Pawtucket, R.I., U.S.A.<br />
Estimated: 1925<br />
Powelton<br />
Estimated: 1930<br />
Silver King, small open heart,<br />
tightening device consisting of a screw<br />
with a square cross section extending<br />
from the butt end to the open throat to<br />
the string area. In the throat the metal<br />
piece is stamped on both sides “Craven<br />
Pat.”.<br />
Estimated: 1935<br />
Comment: Research conducted in the<br />
US-Patent Database revealed no such<br />
patent issued to “Craven” as the<br />
inventor. The closest patent to this<br />
construction was issued to Jacob L.<br />
Kleinman, in 1933, US-Pat. No.<br />
1.912.942.<br />
New information:<br />
Javithon<br />
Fedin Brothers Company Inc.<br />
150 Knickebocker Ave.<br />
Bohemia, N.Y. 11716<br />
Company:<br />
No information is available on this<br />
company.<br />
In a leaflet they proclaim:<br />
“Our reputation in golf transcends”<br />
(meaning to tennis rackets).<br />
Rackets designed and distributed:<br />
c. 1989:<br />
Javithon Trinergy, 93 sqin<br />
Javithon JVM, 92 sqin<br />
Javithon JVX, 110 sqin<br />
Glenn A. Bjorkman reports that a<br />
representative of the company<br />
explained to him in a phone call that<br />
the ‘JVX racket’ would perform<br />
superior to the ‘Yahama Secret<br />
Racket’.<br />
Comment: Its appearance is also<br />
similar to the velvet black finish of<br />
the Yamaha Secret.<br />
Kent:<br />
“230” c. 1908<br />
Trademark:<br />
Two crossed rackets<br />
Kent:<br />
Country Club c. 1925<br />
Trademark:<br />
Belt and crown<br />
60
Book of Tennis Rackets North American Rackets<br />
New information:<br />
Korex Corporation<br />
Office & Warehouse<br />
2801 Centre Circle Drive<br />
Downers Grove, IL 60515<br />
Company:<br />
No information is available on this<br />
company. They had a trademark for<br />
tennis rackets: ‘Vibra-Free’. In a<br />
prospectus from 1987 it did not<br />
disclose how this ‘Vibra-Free System’<br />
worked.<br />
Rackets Manufactured:<br />
1987:<br />
VFG-100 Centre Court, 100% graphite<br />
VFG-80 Pro Court, 80% graphite<br />
VFG-50 Omni Court, 50% graphite<br />
VFG-10 Supreme Court, Boron<br />
Additional information to page 252:<br />
Lee & Co., Harry<br />
U.S.A.<br />
Company:<br />
Randy Crow reports:<br />
“Harry C. Lee was a partner in the<br />
sporting goods firm of Lee & Underhill<br />
in New York beginning in 1907. They<br />
were importers of tennis and golf<br />
equipment from Great Britain. In 1910<br />
Lee started his own company and<br />
began manufacturing the famous<br />
slotted rackets.”<br />
Update<br />
A leaflet of the company was<br />
contributed by Glenn A. Bjorkman.<br />
Lee & Co.: LC, c. 1910, with a slot in<br />
the shaft and a laminated wedge<br />
61
Book of Tennis Rackets North American Rackets<br />
Update<br />
New information:<br />
Lippincott J. B. Company<br />
Address in 1891:<br />
715 and 717 Market St.<br />
Philadelphia<br />
U.S.A.<br />
Company:<br />
Publishers and Booksellers. The<br />
rackets, which they advertised and<br />
distributed, were sold with the trade<br />
name: Crown Standard<br />
Rackets manufactured:<br />
1891:<br />
Lenox, with cork handle<br />
Clifton, with cork handle<br />
Richfield, with cork handle<br />
Saratoga, with cork handle<br />
Avongale, with cork handle<br />
Kensington, with cork handle<br />
Princeton<br />
Atlantic<br />
Brentwood, youth’ and misses’ racket<br />
Fairy, for children’s use<br />
The ad shown from the year 1891was<br />
provided by fellow collector Robert<br />
H. Jordan, King of Prussia, Pa.<br />
New information:<br />
Lombard’s<br />
Miami<br />
U.S.A.<br />
A leaflet for some of this information<br />
for this addition was contributed by<br />
Glenn A. Bjorkman.<br />
Company:<br />
Between 1970 and 1986 Mitch Lombard<br />
ran the largest tennis mail order house<br />
in the world in addition to five Miami<br />
retail stores. He had a 50,000 sq ft<br />
warehouse and sold at the height of<br />
the tennis boom 100,000 to 150,000<br />
rackets annually. He said when<br />
interviewed by ‘Tennis Industry’<br />
magazine in 1994: “Back then, people<br />
would buy six wood racquets at a time.<br />
But now, graphite racquets just don’t<br />
break.”<br />
Lombard had its own gut strings<br />
“Black Phantom”, and an in-house line<br />
of racquets called “Bard” (please<br />
consult the chapter Bard in the book<br />
for rackets of this brand).<br />
The whole operation was sold to<br />
Herman’s (out of the trunk of a car,<br />
Herman’s, Inc. was born in the early<br />
1950’s. Starting out with only $200 in<br />
his pocket, Herman Segal built one of<br />
the nation’s largest wholesale apparel<br />
companies).<br />
62
Book of Tennis Rackets North American Rackets<br />
Update<br />
Additional information to page 255:<br />
Lob-Ster<br />
Company:<br />
From ‘Stringer’s Guide’, Vol. 1: #1 from<br />
1992:<br />
The Lob-Ster Racquet Series was first<br />
introduced in 1985.<br />
Lob-Ster also sold tennis strings with<br />
the trademark Laser. Ball machines<br />
were made and soon became a<br />
bestseller. Tennis bags and other<br />
accessories for the tennis player were<br />
distributed.<br />
Rackets manufactured:<br />
1985:<br />
Lob-Ster Graphite<br />
1992:<br />
Citation 110<br />
Citation Graphite<br />
Citation Composite<br />
Citation Junior<br />
Leaflets for this addition were<br />
contributed by Glenn A. Bjorkman.<br />
New information:<br />
Los Angeles Metal Racket<br />
Company<br />
U.S.A.<br />
Company:<br />
No information available.<br />
It is reported that the company made<br />
Steel rackets in the early 1930’s.<br />
63
Book of Tennis Rackets North American Rackets<br />
Update<br />
Additional information to page 257:<br />
MacGregor<br />
Address in 1952:<br />
4861 Spring Grove Ave.<br />
Cincinnati 32, Ohio<br />
Mac Gregor Sporting Goods,<br />
Inc.<br />
25 East Union Avenue<br />
East Rutherford, NJ 07073<br />
(Address taken from a letterhead of<br />
the company in 1986)<br />
From an ad in a tennis book, which was<br />
published in 1954:<br />
“MacGregor rackets are growing in<br />
popularity year after year! More<br />
champions prefer MacGregor rackets<br />
than ever before. And more and more<br />
top tournaments are adopting the<br />
MacGregor Tournament Tennis Ball.<br />
Popular pair!”<br />
Rackets manufactured:<br />
From an ad in a tennis book, which<br />
was published in 1952:<br />
1952:<br />
Frank Parker Autograph<br />
Rackets manufactured:<br />
From an ad in a tennis book, which<br />
was published in 1952:<br />
1952:<br />
Frank Parker Autograph<br />
64
Book of Tennis Rackets North American Rackets<br />
Update<br />
Racket in the collection of Rodney<br />
Lack, Australia:<br />
Tourney<br />
Laminated wooden head with a twotube<br />
metal shaft.<br />
c. 1965<br />
Comment by the author: McGregor,<br />
one of the leading companies making<br />
golf clubs in the 1960s, made and<br />
distributed the famous MT Tourney,<br />
DX Tourney and VIP V-foil Tourney<br />
golf sets in that time. It used the<br />
successful and well-known Tourney<br />
brand-name for this unusual racket<br />
with a two-tube chrome-plated steel<br />
shaft.<br />
Photos by Rodney Lack<br />
65
Book of Tennis Rackets North American Rackets<br />
Update<br />
Rackets distributed:<br />
Bergelin Long String<br />
from 1986-1992 in the U.S.A.<br />
(Please note: these rackets were distributed in Europe by the<br />
Protagon Sportprodukte Company. Please refer also to the chapter<br />
on this company in the main book)<br />
1986/87:<br />
Model BSL (Bergelin Long String) retail price $ <strong>22</strong>5.-<br />
Extract from the ‘New York’ Magazine, June 2 1986.<br />
The Bergelin LongString, with its ‘tuneable’ tension<br />
When Lennart Bergelin, onetime Davis Cup champion and Bjorn<br />
Borg’s former coach, first saw the new racquet, he was not exactly<br />
impressed: It had a mass of string wound around its six-sided<br />
head. “That’s ugly!” was his only comment. But after playing with<br />
the racquet for several hours, Bergelin agreed to help refine the<br />
clumsy prototype into a finished product. Now, several million<br />
dollars and more than 1,000 versions later, MacGregor Sporting<br />
Goods is marketing the Bergelin LongString.<br />
The LongString may be the biggest innovation in tennis since<br />
Howard Head revolutionized the sport with the oversize racquet<br />
ten years ago.<br />
“Our racquet has 75 moving parts and takes about five and a half<br />
hours of manual labour to fabricate,” says Herwig Fischer, the<br />
West German aeronautics engineer who invented and patented<br />
the racquet that now bears Bergelin’s name.<br />
The LongString is a programmable racquet. A series of 64 miniature<br />
nylon pulleys is built into its six-sided head, allowing the string<br />
tension to be “tuned” instantly.<br />
The face is strung diagonally with two 27-foot lengths of nylon<br />
(46 percent longer than those on traditional midsize) that loop<br />
around the pulleys and converge in the handle. Turning a key in<br />
the base of the handle loosens or tightens the strings to a tension<br />
of up to 70 pounds.<br />
MacGregor: Bergelin LongString 1986<br />
Key to be inserted in the socket of the handle Lennart Bergelin in action circa 1986<br />
66
Book of Tennis Rackets North American Rackets<br />
Additional information to page 258:<br />
Mad Raq Sports, LTD.<br />
217 East 85th Street<br />
Suite # 126<br />
New York, N.Y. 10028<br />
Update<br />
A flyer describing the ‘Mad Raq’<br />
tennis rackets was provided by Glenn<br />
A. Bjorkman in 2005.<br />
Company:<br />
Madeline Hauptman (then named with<br />
her maiden name Mishel) obtained an<br />
U.S.A. Patent (outlined in detail<br />
below) regarding a stringing system<br />
in 1980, which was used for the ‘Mad<br />
Raq’ rackets. She was president of the<br />
company, which she also most likely<br />
brought to life in the early 1980’s.<br />
The Mad Raq string pattern has 16<br />
diagonal strings, in each of two<br />
directions, interwoven with 14 vertical<br />
strings.<br />
She claimed that this threedimensional<br />
arrangement spreads the impact of the<br />
ball out in six directions, thereby<br />
reducing vibrations.<br />
Omega Sports was another company<br />
licensed to use the Mad Raq pattern.<br />
Rackets manufactured:<br />
1985/86:<br />
Graphite-70, 70% graphite fibres and<br />
30% Fibreglass, midsize, strung to the<br />
‘Mad Raq’ stringing system<br />
Patents:<br />
U.S.A. Patent 4 184 679<br />
Application filed March 8, 1978<br />
Patented Jan. <strong>22</strong>, 1980<br />
Game Racket and Method of Making<br />
Same<br />
14 claims<br />
Abstract:...three sets of strings are<br />
strung through the head of a racket in<br />
a pattern, which forms a network<br />
across the head. Two of the sets are<br />
obliquely oriented the third set parallel<br />
to the longitudinal axis...<br />
Inventor: Madeline Mishel, New York,<br />
N.Y. U.S.A.<br />
Additional information to page 258:<br />
Magnan Mfg. Corp.<br />
Tennis Racket Manufacturers<br />
Address: 13 Dexter St.<br />
North Attleboro, Mass.<br />
Company:<br />
In an ad, Aug. 1966, a public auction<br />
was announced to be conducted by<br />
Barnett Carter & Co., Inc. Providence,<br />
R.I.<br />
“Magnan Mfg. Corp. is liquidating its<br />
Real Estate, Machinery and Equipment<br />
but is not selling its Name or Good<br />
Will. Magnan Products will be<br />
manufactured at another source and<br />
will continue to be distributed.”<br />
Rackets manufactured:<br />
From an ad in “Australasian Lawn<br />
Tennis”, Aug. 31, 1926.<br />
1926:<br />
The Magnan, a sturdy model whose<br />
shape supplies unusual strength to<br />
the frame, the Magnan is built for the<br />
hands of the champion.<br />
Sole Australian Distributors: J. O.<br />
Anderson & Co. Limited, 5 Hamilton<br />
St. Sydney.<br />
67
Book of Tennis Rackets North American Rackets<br />
Update<br />
Additional information to page 262:<br />
Match Mate<br />
a division of Crown Manufacturing<br />
8600 Darby Avenue<br />
Northridge<br />
California 91325, U.S.A.<br />
Two flyers of this company describing<br />
its rackets were provided by Glenn A.<br />
Bjorkman in 2005.<br />
Company:<br />
1984:<br />
Match Mate, distributed throughout<br />
the United States by<br />
US Sports Equipment Company<br />
14712 Franklin Avenue<br />
Tustin, California 92680<br />
Match Mate: Graphite 1983<br />
Rackets manufactured:<br />
1983/1984:<br />
Graphite, oversize<br />
From a flyer of the company:<br />
“The Match Mate racquet is a giant<br />
step forward in the development of<br />
graphite frames. For the first time,<br />
graphite technology has been<br />
applied to an oversize design. A<br />
special process in its construction<br />
involves actual braiding of the<br />
fibres. Match Mate proved to be<br />
the strongest graphite frame<br />
available, regardless of size.<br />
Also, the Match Mate racquet is<br />
longer than other frames. This extra<br />
length gives you additional reach<br />
on ground strokes and additional<br />
leverage and head speed for serves<br />
and overheads.”<br />
Titanium, oversize<br />
made of drawn titanium metal<br />
Match Mate: Titanium 1983<br />
68
Book of Tennis Rackets North American Rackets<br />
Additional information to page 265:<br />
Maynard<br />
U.S.A.<br />
Update<br />
Patents:<br />
No. 4 772 021<br />
U.S. Patent<br />
filed June 27, 1986<br />
issued Sept. 20, 1988<br />
Inflatable Suspension Tube for Game<br />
Racket Head<br />
Inventor Michael B. Maynard,<br />
Portland, Oregon<br />
12 claims<br />
Abstract of patent<br />
The racket head consists of an outer<br />
and an inner frame insert. They are<br />
separated by inflatable tubes the<br />
pressure of which can be increased<br />
e.g by a pump. The string tension can<br />
be changed to suit by applying the<br />
pressure.<br />
Rackets in collections:<br />
Maynard Air Racquet, sold at eBay<br />
for $ 400.- in c. 2008<br />
c. 1989<br />
69
Book of Tennis Rackets North American Rackets<br />
Update<br />
New information:<br />
Montgomery Wards<br />
Department Store<br />
New York<br />
Company:<br />
Founded in the early 1870’s it was one<br />
of the leading department store chains<br />
and mail order houses in the U.S.A.<br />
until it filed for bankruptcy in 1997.<br />
Many rackets were sold under its own<br />
brand name: Marathon<br />
Rackets distributed:<br />
Earnway Edwards<br />
Estimated: early 1930’s<br />
Additional information to page 271:<br />
Narragansett Machine<br />
Company<br />
Gymnasium Outfitters<br />
Addresses:<br />
1889 to 1890<br />
Providence R.I.<br />
After 1890:<br />
Pleasant Avenue,<br />
Pawtucket, Woodlawn section, R.I.<br />
After approx. 1900:<br />
Foot of Vale St.<br />
Pawtucket, Woodlawn<br />
After approx. 1930:<br />
Providence R.I.<br />
Company:<br />
The firm was established in 1882. It<br />
was first named A.E. Tenney<br />
Manufacturing Company of<br />
Pawtucket and it made foot-power<br />
lathes.<br />
It changed its name to Narragansett<br />
Machine Company in 1889. It bought<br />
Hood and Rice, a manufacturer of<br />
spindles, clamps and jaws, in 1902.<br />
The transition of the circular<br />
Narragansett mark to the linear one<br />
probably occurred after 1902. The<br />
company made light machinery,<br />
gymnastic equipment, lockers,<br />
bowling alleys, woodturning and also<br />
tennis rackets.<br />
In 1948, the Manufacturers Trading<br />
Co. of New York bought the plant.<br />
It is not known when Narragansett<br />
started to make its first tennis rackets<br />
and when it ceased to do so. At the<br />
beginning of the 20th century it often<br />
supplied gymnasiums with sports<br />
equipment, perhaps already including<br />
rackets.<br />
Rackets manufactured:<br />
c. 1930:<br />
Thirty, solid frame. Bevelled on the<br />
inside. One wrapping at shaft. Concave.<br />
Sycamore heart. Sycamore shingles.<br />
Slightly combed handle. Butt leather.<br />
Narragansett: Thirty, c. 1930<br />
Narragansett: Twenty, c. 1932<br />
Brass screw. Engraved on Racket:<br />
Narragansett Machine Co. Trademark<br />
“Live Wood”, Pawtucket R.I<br />
1932:<br />
Twenty, solid frame. Concave.<br />
Sycamore heart. Sycamore shingles.<br />
Slightly chequered handle. Butt<br />
leather. Brass screw. Engraved on<br />
Racket:<br />
Narragansett Machine Co. Trademark<br />
“Live Wood”, Providence R.I<br />
c. 1933 to 1939:<br />
Forty<br />
Sixty<br />
Ninety<br />
Rackets in collections:<br />
From an auction catalogue, Morelle &<br />
Marchandet, Nov. 28/29, 1997.<br />
Premier<br />
Estimated: 1925<br />
Forty<br />
Estimated: 1930<br />
Additional information to page 271:<br />
National Tennis Racket Co.<br />
(The)<br />
Rackets manufactured:<br />
Early 1920’s:<br />
Collegian<br />
70
Book of Tennis Rackets North American Rackets<br />
New information:<br />
OSP Olympian<br />
5567Kearny Villa Road<br />
San Diego/California 92123<br />
Update<br />
Company:<br />
In a flyer (provided by Glenn A.<br />
Bjorkman) from early 1983 the<br />
company promoted its new rackets<br />
made from graphite fibres.<br />
“Our new line of OSP tennis racquets<br />
is the culmination of years of<br />
innovative sports racquet design and<br />
manufacturing”<br />
Rackets distributed or manufactured:<br />
1983:<br />
OSP G-1, midsize, 100% graphite<br />
OSP G-10, oversize, 80% graphite,<br />
20% glass fibre<br />
OSP G-20, oversize, 80% graphite,<br />
20% glass fibre<br />
OSP G-26, oversize, 100% graphite<br />
OSP G-28, oversize, 100% graphite,<br />
longer than the standard size racquet<br />
OSP Olympian: G-20 – 1983<br />
71
Book of Tennis Rackets North American Rackets<br />
Update<br />
Additional information to page 277:<br />
Partridge & Co., Horace<br />
From an 1889 Horace Partridge<br />
catalogue:<br />
Rackets manufactured:<br />
1883:<br />
Peerless, concave, flat topped, new<br />
this year.<br />
1888:<br />
American Tate, new this year. This<br />
racket is modelled on the lines of the<br />
famous English Tate, costing $ 15.- to<br />
import, and is said by the best tennis<br />
players in the country to be superior<br />
to its English rival.<br />
Eclipse, new this year, frame of second<br />
growth ash, with convex sycamore<br />
throat piece. Cedar handle $ 4.-, or<br />
cork handle $ 4.50<br />
1889:<br />
New American Tate<br />
with cedar handle $ 5.50,<br />
with cork handle 50 cents extra.<br />
Peerless Racket, the Peerless has<br />
been popular for half a dozen years.<br />
Eclipse<br />
New Standard, convex, greatly<br />
improved for the season 1889. $ 3.-<br />
Practice, convex, $ 2.50<br />
No. 10, convex, smaller head than the<br />
Practice for juniors<br />
No. 5 X, convex, for children<br />
From an ad in “The Youth Companion”,<br />
May 19, 1892:<br />
1892:<br />
High-grade rackets:<br />
American Tate<br />
Lenox<br />
Champion, all $ 3.75<br />
Regular Stock:<br />
Peerless<br />
Eclipse<br />
American Tate Junior<br />
Special Prize Model, all $ 2.50<br />
Special collection:<br />
Practice<br />
Ajax<br />
Trojan, all $ 1.25<br />
Racket in the collection of Dr. H.<br />
Kerling:<br />
American Tate Junior, Model J, 14oz,<br />
concave, grooved handle.<br />
Estimated: 1908<br />
Photographs courtesy Dr. H. Kerling<br />
Ad of the company in “The Youth Companion”, 1892<br />
72
Book of Tennis Rackets North American Rackets<br />
The following racket was offered for<br />
auction at eBay between 2000 and 2005<br />
(Dr. H. Kerling):<br />
Favourite, solid ash, concave wedge,<br />
flat top.<br />
c. 1895<br />
Partridge: Favorite c. 1895<br />
New:information:<br />
Peadbody & Whitney<br />
Boston<br />
USA<br />
Additional information to page 278:<br />
PDP Sports Company<br />
Glenn A. Bjorkman had a letter (from<br />
1979) in his possession from Starwin<br />
Industries Inc. 2661 Culver Avenue,<br />
Dayton, Ohio 45429, U.S.A., addressed<br />
to Victor Davis (please refer to page<br />
117 and 399), which is partly quoted<br />
below:<br />
... Starwin Industry Inc. is a<br />
manufacturer of fibreglass and<br />
graphite tennis rackets. In the past we<br />
have manufactured under private label,<br />
the ‘Fiberstaff’ and the ‘Fibergraph’<br />
rackets for ‘Professionally Designed<br />
Products (PDP)’ in Cranbury, N.J.<br />
We are presently seeking a new<br />
distributor for these rackets for the<br />
1980 tennis season ...<br />
Starwin Ind. is also interested in<br />
manufacturing a racket of your design<br />
and specifications. We also have an<br />
open throat standard sized fibreglass<br />
racket and a graphite oversized<br />
racket of our design available.<br />
Norman T. Staub, President<br />
Update<br />
Additional information to page 280:<br />
Peck & Snyder<br />
Manufacturers<br />
Rackets manufactured:<br />
From “PECK & SNYDER on LAWN<br />
TENNIS RULES, as adopted by the<br />
UNITED STATES NATIONAL LAWN<br />
TESNNIS ASSOCIATION”, published<br />
1885: all with concave wedge and flat<br />
topped<br />
Franklin<br />
Far and Near<br />
Staten Island<br />
Providence<br />
St. George<br />
From an ad in “Sporting Goods”, page<br />
53, 1890:<br />
Beeckman Cup<br />
Beeckman Expert<br />
Beeckman Tournament<br />
Beeckman Special<br />
“Our complete 294-Page Illustrated<br />
Catalogue of all in- and outdoor sports<br />
sent on receipt of five two-cent stamps<br />
for postage.”<br />
eBay auction 2007:<br />
Franklin Expert, concave wedge,<br />
c. 1895<br />
Rackets manufactured:<br />
eBay 2006:<br />
Nonpareil, extreme flat top racket with<br />
concave wedge<br />
c. 1887<br />
Peck & Snyder: Franklin Expert,<br />
c. 1895<br />
Peadbody & Whitney: Nonpareil, c. 1887<br />
73
Book of Tennis Rackets North American Rackets<br />
New information to page<br />
280:<br />
Penn – General Tire<br />
Address in 1967:<br />
The General Tire & Rubber<br />
Company<br />
Athletic Products<br />
Akron/Ohio<br />
U.S.A.<br />
Rackets Manufactured:<br />
1967:<br />
Pennsylvania Centre<br />
Court<br />
laminated racket<br />
Update<br />
New information:<br />
Princeton Sports Products, Inc.<br />
Box 648<br />
Exeter, NH 03833<br />
Company:<br />
This company distributed the<br />
“Durbin” rackets (please consult the<br />
book on Durbin page 150) as shown<br />
on a leaflet of Nov.1982, which was<br />
provided by Glenn A. Bjorkman.<br />
New information:<br />
Racquetech, Inc.<br />
9812 Independence Ave.<br />
Chatsworth CA 91311<br />
Company:<br />
Please consult the chapter on Fox<br />
Tennis Racquets Co., Inc.<br />
9812 Independence Ave.<br />
Chatsworth CA 91311<br />
74
Book of Tennis Rackets North American Rackets<br />
Update<br />
Additional information to page 304:<br />
Reach & Co.<br />
Company:<br />
Excerpt from a publication of the<br />
„Philadelphia Athletics Historical<br />
Society“. For more detailed<br />
information please consult the website<br />
of the society:<br />
www.philadelphiaathletics.org/<br />
history/philsfirstowner.html<br />
Alfred J. Reach (1840-1928)<br />
Pioneer baseball professional. His<br />
company, A.J. Reach & Co., maker of<br />
sporting goods, was at 1820 Chestnut<br />
Street, Philadelphia.<br />
A.J. Reach was born in London, England<br />
on May 25, 1840. He came to the<br />
United States at the age of one and<br />
was raised in Brooklyn. Reach spent<br />
his teen years working in an iron<br />
factory. When he wasn’t working,<br />
Reach played baseball.<br />
He was the first professional baseball<br />
player. Reach played for „the<br />
Athletics“ through 1875.<br />
Reach noticed around that time the<br />
increasing demand for baseballs,<br />
bats, and associated equipment as<br />
the National Pastime grew rapidly in<br />
popularity. Seeing a need to supply<br />
the growing marker, Reach opened a<br />
sporting goods store at 6 South<br />
Eighth Street in 1874.<br />
His business prospered, and by 1881,<br />
Reach moved to a large store at 23<br />
South Eighth Street. He also took in<br />
a partner Benjamin F. Shibe, an expert<br />
on leather who had gone from<br />
the manufacture of whips to<br />
producing baseballs and gloves.<br />
Soon the men opened a manufacturing<br />
plant at Palmer and Tulip Streets.<br />
Reach agreed to head the new Philadelphia<br />
National League franchise.<br />
The team was christened the<br />
„Phillies“ because, Reach said, „It<br />
tells you who we are and where we’re<br />
from.“ On May 1,1883, the Phillies<br />
had their first Opening Day.<br />
Since that first Opening Day in 1883,<br />
118 more Opening Days have come<br />
and gone for the Phillies, while the<br />
Athletics have faded into history.<br />
Time has proven the accuracy of Al<br />
Reach’s forecast, and the Phillies<br />
remain a bedrock of the National<br />
League.<br />
The A.J. Reach Company continued<br />
to flourish during the 1890s. The<br />
company opened another plant in<br />
Branford, Ontario and moved its store<br />
to a large building at 1820 Chestnut<br />
Street. Reach and Shibe’s partnership<br />
stayed strong. When the new<br />
American League was formed in 1901,<br />
Reach recommended that his partner<br />
become president of the Philadelphia<br />
franchise.<br />
Shibe became president of the new<br />
Philadelphia Athletics, and the A.J.<br />
Reach ball became the official<br />
baseball of the American League. The<br />
Athletics and other American League<br />
teams, however, conducted player<br />
raids on the Phillies to stock their<br />
own teams with talent. The Phillies<br />
lost many star players, including<br />
Lajoie, Delahanty and Flick, and<br />
Reach suffered financially crippling<br />
losses. What had been a perennially<br />
contending Phillies club plummeted<br />
into 7th place in the 1902 season<br />
because of key player losses.<br />
In his 60s and weary of dealing with<br />
player raids and other fractious<br />
league issues, Reach sold the Phillies<br />
after the 1902 season for $170,000.<br />
Later, he sold his sporting goods<br />
store. Reach’s plant continued to<br />
produce baseballs, gloves and other<br />
sporting goods equipment, and for a<br />
number of decades, it published the<br />
official American League Reach Baseball<br />
Guide. In the early 1920s, Reach<br />
sold his plant to rival A.G. Spalding<br />
Company and retired. He lived his<br />
final years in Atlantic City, dying<br />
there on January 14, 1928.<br />
A. J. Reach letterhead, May 29, 1888<br />
75
Book of Tennis Rackets North American Rackets<br />
Update<br />
Selected rackets in collections:<br />
The Penn. Solid frame. Mahogany<br />
heart. Laminated wedge according to<br />
“Richey’s U.S.A. Patent No. 779 184<br />
filed 1904. Cedar shingles. Combed<br />
handle. Butt leather. Brass screw.<br />
On Racket: Reach, Trademark, The<br />
Sign of Quality, Reg. US Pat. Off.<br />
Estimated: 1910<br />
In the collection of Robert Jordan:<br />
American Driver, c. 19<strong>22</strong><br />
Cup Defender, c. 1930<br />
Rackets offered at auctions:<br />
A racket by this company was offered<br />
at an auction performed by Christie’s<br />
in 2000 (Dr. H. Kerling).<br />
Varsity, wavy walnut concave wedge,<br />
scored, octagonal handle.<br />
c. 1912<br />
Reach & Co.:<br />
The Penn, c. 1910<br />
This racket was offered for auction at eBay between 2000 and 2005 (Dr. H.<br />
Kerling):<br />
A. J. Reach: Tournament c. 1910<br />
A. J. Reach:<br />
Quaker City Model c. 1910<br />
Reach & Co: Driver c. 1920<br />
76
Book of Tennis Rackets North American Rackets<br />
Update<br />
Additional information to page 319:<br />
Scepter<br />
by<br />
Graphite Master, Inc.<br />
A few bulletins of this company<br />
describing its tennis rackets were<br />
provided by Glenn A. Bjorkman in<br />
2005.<br />
Company:<br />
‘Since 1968 Scepter graphite racquets<br />
have earned notoriety for innovative<br />
racquet technology.<br />
We claim exclusive rights to the<br />
midsize Scepter X-L shape. Patented<br />
1970. SCEPTER offers you a patented<br />
solid core graphite Kevlar frame.’<br />
In the 70’s the rackets sold by the<br />
company were made in the U.S.A.<br />
Rackets manufactured:<br />
1981:<br />
XT-Mid, more of an oval face, midsize,<br />
solid core, please amend in the book.<br />
X-L, solid graphite, DuPont Kevlar,<br />
construction, midsize, egg shaped<br />
face.<br />
X-L 2, solid graphite, DuPont Kevlar,<br />
construction, oversize, long stretched<br />
oval face. ‘For good manoeuvrability<br />
it is head light, light overall, and<br />
streamlined in shape. The solid<br />
structure has better head speed<br />
because it is not thick like other hollow<br />
or foam filled graphites’. New in 1981.<br />
AL-2, aluminium frame, Alcoa 7046,<br />
oversize<br />
Al Mid, aluminium frame, Alcoa 7046,<br />
midsize<br />
77
Book of Tennis Rackets North American Rackets<br />
Update<br />
Additional information to page 319:<br />
J. F. Schmelzer & Sons<br />
543 Main Street<br />
Kansas City, Mo.<br />
Company:<br />
The Schmelzer Arms Company was<br />
founded by a German immigrant in<br />
Leavenworth, Kansas in 1857. Thirty<br />
years later, the owners moved the<br />
business to Kansas City.<br />
Originally a gun store, the company<br />
became a national leader in the sporting<br />
goods business.<br />
eBay auction 2007:<br />
Black Demon, c. 1920<br />
Advertising card c. 1900<br />
Schmelzer’s: Black Demon, c. 1920<br />
Letterhead 1919<br />
78
Book of Tennis Rackets North American Rackets<br />
Update<br />
New information:<br />
Sears, Roebuck and Co.<br />
Chicago, U.S.A.<br />
Company:<br />
Large Mail Order House and<br />
Department Store in the U.S.A.<br />
New information:<br />
SET<br />
Stolle Emerson Tennis<br />
12612 Raymer St.<br />
North Hollywood CA 91605<br />
A flyer of this company describing its<br />
tennis rackets was provided by Glenn<br />
A. Bjorkman in 2005.<br />
Company:<br />
Fred Stolle and Roy Emerson<br />
established this company in the mid<br />
1980’s.<br />
Slogan for advertising:<br />
“Official Racquet of the Grandmasters.”<br />
Rackets distributed:<br />
c. 1960:<br />
Super Ace, laminated frame for<br />
Championship Play<br />
c. 1965:<br />
Mohawk, laminated frame<br />
Rackets manufactured:<br />
1986:<br />
Senior, oversize, aluminium frame,<br />
nylon throat, foamed on handle.<br />
Junior, ditto, however, shorter.<br />
Bantam, ditto, short<br />
Fred Stolle Oversize, composite<br />
Emmo Midsize, composite<br />
Ceramic Boron Oversize, composite<br />
with additional ceramic and boron<br />
fibres.<br />
Ceramic Boron Midsize, composite<br />
with additional ceramic and boron<br />
fibres.<br />
Aerodynamic, composite<br />
Custom, composite<br />
New information:<br />
Simsons<br />
U.S.A.<br />
Rackets in collections:<br />
A racket of this company was offered<br />
at an auction performed by Mullock<br />
Madeley in 2003 (Dr. H. Kerling).<br />
Larchmont, The, convex wedge with<br />
maker’s circular gold transfer label.<br />
c. 1920<br />
79
Book of Tennis Rackets North American Rackets<br />
Additional information to page 356:<br />
Spalding A.G. & Bros.<br />
Please note the addresses given in the<br />
ad in “The Country Illustrated Monthly<br />
Magazine”, 1888, section “Sporting<br />
Goods”:<br />
108 Madison St., Chicago and<br />
241 Broadway, New York.<br />
There were probably sales outlets.<br />
Update<br />
Racket manufactured:<br />
1888:<br />
No. 9, The Slocum Racket, the best<br />
shape known, made of very finest stock<br />
obtainable, and strung with extra<br />
selected gut, ebonite throat piece,<br />
cedar handle. $ 6.-<br />
Left and right on shoulders engraved:<br />
Chicago and New York<br />
Comment: This racket is much sought<br />
after by collectors and a nice piece to<br />
own, the throat piece being black<br />
ebonite.<br />
No. 9c, ditto, but with cork handle.<br />
No. 10, ditto, cedar handle, but strung<br />
with finest English gut. $ 7.-<br />
No. 8, The Tuxedo Club $ 5.50<br />
No. 7, The Windermere $ 5.50<br />
No. 5, The Lakeside $ 4.-<br />
No. 4, The Greenwood $ 3.-<br />
No. 3, Geneva $ 2.50<br />
No. 2, Favourite $ 2.-<br />
No. 1, Boy’s Own $ 1.50<br />
The Junior, $ 3.-<br />
No. 1 Boy’s Own<br />
Spalding Lawn Tennis Sets, starting<br />
from $ 10.- to $ 40.-<br />
Please add to the table on page 368:<br />
Bill Tilden, open throat, photodecal<br />
picture racket.<br />
c. 1932<br />
Bill Beckmann, photodecal picture<br />
racket.<br />
c. 1960<br />
80
Book of Tennis Rackets North American Rackets<br />
Update<br />
Additional information to page 356:<br />
Spalding A. G. & Bros., to page<br />
471:<br />
Wright & Ditson, to page 304:<br />
Reach & Co., to page 279:<br />
Peck & Snyder, and to page 399:<br />
Victor Sporting Goods.<br />
Abstract from an article by Randy<br />
Crow published in “The Tennis Collector”<br />
No. 41, Spring 2002, page 10.<br />
Spalding A. G. & Bros.<br />
Albert Goodwill Spalding retired from<br />
professional baseball with a sore arm<br />
at the age of 26 and opened a sporting<br />
goods store in Chicago with his<br />
brother and brother-in-law in 1876,<br />
hence the name A.G. Spalding & Bros.<br />
In 1879, he entered manufacturing<br />
when he purchased the Wilkins Bat &<br />
Croquet Co. and that was the start of<br />
his sporting goods empire.<br />
Also in the late 1870’s, two other professional baseball players opened<br />
sporting goods stores, A.J. Reach a store in Philadelphia and George Wright,<br />
who had played on the same team with Spalding, once in Boston.<br />
Wright merged his business with Henry Ditson in 1878 forming Wright &<br />
Ditson. (In early advertising the company states that it was established in<br />
1871, may be the date that Ditson started his business.)<br />
Both companies soon began manufacturing some of their own product lines<br />
like Spalding did.<br />
In 1885, Ditson died and Spalding purchased Ditson’s half of the company.<br />
Reach followed by selling his entire company to Spalding, in 1889. Spalding<br />
went on to purchase Peck & Snyder in 1892 and phased out the brand, while<br />
assimilating its operations into Spalding Bros.<br />
With all these companies under his direction, Spalding discovered that it<br />
didn’t make sense to maintain separate manufacturing facilities for each<br />
company. He decided that the three companies (Spalding & Bros., Wright &<br />
Ditson, and Reach) should continue to have their own branded product lines,<br />
however, he moved to consolidate manufacturing operations.<br />
Around 1900, he directed that Spalding Bros. would make all the golf clubs and<br />
other sports, Reach would handle mostly baseball & football, Wright & Ditson,<br />
which in 1890 already declared that they were “The Largest Maker of Tennis<br />
Supplies in the World” was designated as the tennis manufacturer for the<br />
group.<br />
Spalding Bros., however, would continue to<br />
manufacture tennis equipment under its own name<br />
outside of the U.S.A.<br />
As a result, by the early 1900’s, virtually every<br />
tennis racket made in the U.S.A. with the Spalding<br />
or Reach trademark was made at a Wright & Ditson<br />
plant! As time went on, the companies not only<br />
shared patents, but also endorsers like Les Stoefen<br />
or Pancho Gonzales. At the same time they<br />
maintained separate product lines.<br />
In addition it was obvious to the informed observer,<br />
that the allied companies never publicised their<br />
relationship. As exceptions to the rule, they did co–<br />
brand a few items starting in the early 1930’s.<br />
Spalding died in 1915. By 1919, Wright & Ditson had<br />
acquired Victor Sporting Goods, which they operated<br />
as a division under the name Wright & Ditson<br />
Victor through at least 1924. Later on the name was<br />
dropped and the division folded into the parent<br />
company.<br />
Wright died in 1936. Spalding Bros. bought his half<br />
of the company in the following year. Spalding<br />
continued, however, to use the Wright & Ditson<br />
name on tennis products until at least 1954.<br />
Wright & Ditson, Top Flite c. 1930 and<br />
A.G. Spalding & Bros., Top Flite c. 1930<br />
Both rackets refer to the same U.S.A. Patent.<br />
Rackets manufactured (Spalding):<br />
From a catalogue from Josef Mühlhauser’s, Vienna,<br />
in the possession of Dr. H. Kerling:<br />
1902:<br />
Varsity, convex, oval frame<br />
Columbia, ditto<br />
Okomo, ditto<br />
Practice, ditto, youth<br />
Favorite, for boys and girls<br />
Geneva, for beginners<br />
Greenwood<br />
Lakeside<br />
Slocum<br />
81
Book of Tennis Rackets North American Rackets<br />
Update<br />
Slocum, junior<br />
Spalding, combed mahogany handle<br />
Spalding, combed cane handle<br />
Lee Draisin, Martinez, CA – U.S.A.,<br />
offered additional information<br />
concerning the Spalding Smasher,<br />
which was introduced in 1968 (page<br />
366):<br />
“It was designed by Paul Sullivan. He<br />
was the Captain of Harvard’s tennis<br />
team in the 1960’s and was the number<br />
one player in New England in the late<br />
60’s.The early models of the Smasher<br />
carried a small decal on the cross bar<br />
in the throat area with his name on it.<br />
Spalding with the Smasher (frame of<br />
aluminium tubing) was now in a<br />
position to compete with the Wilson<br />
T2000 (frame of steel tubing).”<br />
Amendment:<br />
In the table for Spalding rackets on<br />
page 371, last column, U.S.A. Pat No.<br />
1.66.466 was given for some rackets. It<br />
should read U.S.A. Pat. No. 1.664.466.<br />
Please add the following rackets to<br />
the table in proper alphabetical order:<br />
A.G. Spalding Bros. racket with a knob<br />
carved handle.<br />
c. 1925<br />
Fairlawn, flat top, with eagle<br />
trademark (an eagle holds a folding<br />
straight razor in his beak), Syracuse,<br />
New York.<br />
c. 1895<br />
Majestic, concave, grooved rim to<br />
protect the strings. Smooth handle.<br />
c. 1930<br />
Model HA, 1911 (flat top, concave) to<br />
1921 (probably oval now).<br />
c. 1911 to 1921<br />
Lillarney, Pat. No. 4865, Feb. 27, 1904<br />
(laminated wedge)<br />
c. 1914<br />
Special, steel racket, presumably not<br />
manufactured by Dayton for Spalding.<br />
Randy Crow reports that the Spalding<br />
steel racket in his possession has gut<br />
strings and not piano wire strings as<br />
all the Daytons. Its appearance is also<br />
different. Spalding was assigneé to<br />
U.S.A. Patent No. 1.696.251 regarding<br />
the manufacture of metal rackets of<br />
tubing and granted in Dec. 25, 1928 to<br />
Harold D. Penney.<br />
c. 1930<br />
From an ad in a German magazine in 1928<br />
Aristocrat, open throat racket, similar<br />
to the open throat ‘Top-Flite’.<br />
Early 1930’s<br />
82
Book of Tennis Rackets North American Rackets<br />
New information:<br />
Speedwood MFG Co.<br />
Pawtucket R.I.<br />
U.S.A.<br />
Update<br />
Company:<br />
No information is available. Dr. Kerling<br />
provided a sales catalogue of 1935. It is<br />
interesting to note that the company<br />
MacGregor, page 257 in the Book, had<br />
rackets on the market named Speedwood<br />
and Fleetwood after WWII, the names ,<br />
which were also used by Speedwood<br />
Mfg. Co. in 1935.<br />
Rackets manufactured:<br />
1935:<br />
Speedwood One Star<br />
Speedwood Two Star<br />
Speedwood Three Star - Nüsslein Model<br />
Vitawood One Star<br />
Vitawood Two Star<br />
Vitawood Three Star - Nüsslein Model<br />
Wovenwood One Star<br />
Wovenwood Two Star<br />
Wovenwood Three Star- Nüsslein<br />
Model<br />
Fleetwood One Star<br />
Fleetwood Two Star<br />
Fleetwood Three Star<br />
Tulipwood (Rosenholz)<br />
Rosewood (Palisander)<br />
Whitewood<br />
Maplewood<br />
83
Book of Tennis Rackets North American Rackets<br />
Update<br />
Additional information to page 373:<br />
SP. IN.<br />
An additional flyer of this company<br />
describing the ‘SP. IN.’ tennis rackets<br />
was provided by Glenn A. Bjorkman in<br />
2005.<br />
Additional information to page 383:<br />
Taylor (Alex) & Co.<br />
Rackets in collections:<br />
Haggett, concave solid ash frame with<br />
a combed handle.<br />
Estimated: 1925<br />
Another address was shown:<br />
SPorts INnovations, Inc.,<br />
1014 K St.,<br />
Washington, DC 20001<br />
c. 1987:<br />
G-200, 100% graphite, 17 inch long<br />
main strings leading through the yoke<br />
similar to the G-300 on the picture.<br />
A-2, aluminium with a nylon yoke, same<br />
construction as the G-200<br />
Alex Taylor: Haggett, c. 1925<br />
New information:<br />
Tennis Cheater Drawing<br />
c/o Court Club Sports Magazine<br />
2401 Plum Grove Road<br />
Palatine, IL 60067<br />
U.S.A.<br />
SP. IN.: G-200, c. 1987<br />
Offered at eBay in 2008<br />
Provided by Rodney Lack, Melbourne,<br />
Australia<br />
Company:<br />
In a flyer of the company from 1982,<br />
which was forwarded by Glenn A.<br />
Bjorkman. a tennis racket is described<br />
with the unusual name ‘The Cheater’.<br />
It has a bent handle, 19°, identical to<br />
‘The Gripper’ from BioSports Corp.<br />
covered on page 96 in the book and in<br />
this Update. The Cheater was<br />
apparently first with that particular<br />
feature. For further details please<br />
consult the chapter on ‘The Gripper’.<br />
Rackets distributed:<br />
1982:<br />
The Cheater, midsize aluminium frame,<br />
19° bent handle, tapering towards the<br />
end without butt cap.<br />
84
Book of Tennis Rackets North American Rackets<br />
Update<br />
Additional information to page 393:<br />
Tremont Research Co., Inc.<br />
341 West Superior Street<br />
Chicago, Illinois 60610<br />
U.S.A.<br />
A few bulletins of this company<br />
describing its products related to<br />
tennis and racquetball were provided<br />
by Glenn A. Bjorkman in 2005.<br />
Company:<br />
The company was established in 1969<br />
and ceased operations in 1991.<br />
President was Daniel Kipnis, treasurer<br />
George Miyagawa (1975).<br />
The company produced tennis<br />
rackets, racquet ball rackets, stringing<br />
machines and stringing clamps. It was<br />
claimed that the rackets were made in<br />
Chicago. In 1975 the company had<br />
about 25 employees.<br />
Rackets manufactured:<br />
1974:<br />
The MAG 1 shown and described in the ‘book’ was already made in 1974. In<br />
a price list of the same year it was designated as MAG I and not MAG 1.<br />
The racket has moulded in holes, the composite material between the two<br />
aluminium sheets consists of Nylon reinforced with 20% graphite fibres.<br />
Its retail price unstrung was $ 50.-, strung with Nylon $ 60.-<br />
Additional information to page 393:<br />
Tryon, Edw. K., Company<br />
817 Arch Street<br />
Philadelphia PA<br />
U.S.A.<br />
In the 1960’s:<br />
Tryon Supply Co.<br />
Company:<br />
Edward K. Tryon opened purchases<br />
of Northwest guns and rifles in 1846/<br />
47. In 1889 the company already used<br />
the famous ‘Pennell’ trademark for<br />
almost every type of tackle imaginable.<br />
‘Pennell’ was registered as trademark<br />
for the company in 1905. Edw. K. Tryon<br />
contracted with whoever had what he<br />
wanted, and the ‘Pennell’ label was<br />
stamped on the finished product.<br />
Pennell was not a company, regardless<br />
of the reels that are stamped ‘Pennell<br />
Reel Company’.<br />
Famous products distributed by the<br />
company were: Tryon farm guns,<br />
lawnmowers, trade guns for the Board<br />
of Ordnance during the Westward<br />
Movement in the nineteenth century.<br />
Robert H. Jordan, fellow collector,<br />
states: “Tryon was a retail sporting<br />
goods store. I have seen their<br />
catalogues (circa 1950) when their<br />
offerings were of conventional brands,<br />
such as Spalding and Wilson tennis<br />
rackets.<br />
Pennell – Trademark<br />
85
Book of Tennis Rackets North American Rackets<br />
New information<br />
Variety Manufacturing &<br />
Engineering Co.<br />
Fulton, Leisure Products Division<br />
810 W. Fulton St.<br />
Chicago, Ill. 60607, U.S.A.<br />
A flyer of this company describing its<br />
rackets was provided by Glenn A.<br />
Bjorkman in 2005<br />
Update<br />
Company:<br />
‘Metal fabricating firm with over<br />
twenty years (quoted in the flyer in<br />
1969) of experience manufacturing<br />
extruded aluminium products.’<br />
Rackets manufactured:<br />
1969/1970<br />
Fulton, controlled-flex aluminium<br />
racquet. It comes in gold anodised or<br />
natural anodised finish in two<br />
qualities: ‘Wippy’ for the average<br />
player or ‘Stiff’ for the stronger player<br />
– no rivets, no welds – almost circular<br />
face of standard size. Standard<br />
stringing with Ashaway Multi-Ply<br />
Nylon Strings.<br />
Price as an introductory offer in 1969:<br />
US $ 12,50<br />
Patents:<br />
The company claimed that a patent<br />
was pending for this racket.<br />
Variety Manufacturing: Fulton 1969<br />
86
Book of Tennis Rackets North American Rackets<br />
Additional information to page 399:<br />
Victor Sporting Goods Co.<br />
Chicago<br />
New information:<br />
Wanamaker, Fairment John<br />
U.S.A.<br />
Update<br />
Rackets in collections:<br />
Challenge<br />
frame made of solid ash. Convex wedge<br />
of mahogany. Handles with shingles<br />
of cedar. Slightly combed handle. Butt<br />
leather and brass screw at neck.<br />
Engraved with golden inlay: Victor<br />
Sporting Goods Co. showing a bat as<br />
trademark.<br />
Estimated: 1904<br />
From a Victor catalogue auctioned on<br />
eBay 2004:<br />
1916:<br />
TR 600 Varsity, solid ash, convex,<br />
fishtail handle<br />
TR 500 Tournament, solid ash,<br />
concave, combed handle<br />
TR 400 Collegiate, solid ash, convex,<br />
combed handle<br />
Company: No information available.<br />
Rackets in collections:<br />
From a Christie’s auction June 6, 1996:<br />
Fairment John Wanamaker, convex<br />
wedge, golden graphics, octagonal<br />
handle.<br />
c. 1895<br />
eBay auction 2008:<br />
Tablow<br />
c. 19<strong>22</strong><br />
Challenge<br />
c. 1928<br />
Victor Sporting Goods:<br />
Challenge, c. 1904<br />
87
Book of Tennis Rackets North American Rackets<br />
Update<br />
Additional information to page 433:<br />
Wilson Sporting Goods Co.<br />
From an eBay auction in 2004.<br />
Please add to the table on page 461:<br />
Riviera Model, Suzanne Lenglen, (in<br />
the table as Lenglen Riviera)<br />
On the side of the racket:<br />
‘Wilson-Western Sporting Goods Co.’,<br />
and on the butt end ‘Thos. E. Wilson<br />
& Co.’<br />
On the wedge: Licensed by Williams &<br />
Co., Paris.<br />
Estimated: 1930<br />
In Wilson’s catalogue of spring/<br />
summer 1928 the “Indestructo Steel<br />
Racket” was mentioned. It resembles<br />
the Champion in a collection:<br />
1929:<br />
Indestructo-Champion, frame made of<br />
tubular steel. Orange and black<br />
painted. Holes for strings punched and<br />
rounded. No heart. Tubular legs are<br />
covered by handle shaped sheet metal<br />
pieces extending down to the butt end<br />
and covered with stripes of cork.<br />
Similarities to Dayton’s rackets are<br />
obvious. Marked on the racket: DADK?<br />
Champion<br />
Material: Workmanship guaranteed.<br />
Patent Pending.<br />
Remark: Randy Crow reports that he<br />
has several of these rackets in his<br />
possession and that there is no doubt<br />
that they were made for Wilson by<br />
Dayton.<br />
Please add the Indestructo-Champion<br />
to the table on page 455.<br />
Wilson: Indestructo-Champion, made<br />
by the Dayton Steel Racquet Company<br />
for Wilson<br />
Estimated: 1929<br />
88
Book of Tennis Rackets North American Rackets<br />
Update<br />
Additional information to page 471:<br />
Wright & Ditson<br />
Misprint on page 472: Wright & Ditson<br />
racket, c. 1982, should read 1892.<br />
Company:<br />
From an ad in “The Illustrated Monthly<br />
Magazine”, 1883, section “Sporting<br />
Goods”, page 16:<br />
“We have a selected stock of fishing<br />
tackle and camping outfits”.<br />
George Wright and Henry A. Ditson<br />
The company advertises itself as<br />
publisher for the “Official Lawn<br />
Tennis Rules” as adopted by the<br />
United States National Lawn Tennis<br />
Association in “The Illustrated<br />
Monthly Magazine”, June 1888,<br />
section “Sporting Goods”, page 33.<br />
The address of the company given<br />
reads: 580 Washington St., Boston,<br />
Mass.<br />
Wright & Ditson: Surprise, c. 1900<br />
Rackets manufactured:<br />
From an ad in “The Illustrated Monthly<br />
Magazine”, 1882, section “Sporting<br />
Goods”, page 14:<br />
1882:<br />
Triangle, concave, flat topped,<br />
therefore the shape of a triangle.<br />
Club, similar to the triangle, but<br />
rounder<br />
Special<br />
From an ad in “The Illustrated Monthly<br />
Magazine”, 1883, section “Sporting<br />
Goods”, page 16:<br />
“Our Model Racquets”, used by all<br />
leading players of the U.S.A.<br />
1883:<br />
Triangle<br />
Davis Cup, c. 1911 with<br />
a convex/concave wedge<br />
1887:<br />
Wentworth, advertised by W&D in<br />
1887 – no flat top.<br />
From an ad in “The Illustrated Monthly<br />
Magazine”, 1888, section “Sporting<br />
Goods”, page 33:<br />
1888:<br />
Sears Special, used by R.D. Sears, in<br />
his Championship Contest at Newport.<br />
Strung with imported Red and White<br />
English Gut. $ 7.-<br />
From the same magazine, but 1890,<br />
page 50:<br />
1890:<br />
Sears Special, handle finely<br />
chequered<br />
From the same magazine, but 1893,<br />
page 57:<br />
1893:<br />
Sears Special, handle combed<br />
89
Book of Tennis Rackets North American Rackets<br />
Update<br />
Supplementary information:<br />
Please add to the table for Wright &<br />
Ditson rackets on page 476:<br />
eBay auction 2006:<br />
Illegible, with cork covered handle,<br />
c. 1900<br />
BGI, c. 1910<br />
Wright & Ditson: BGI, c. 1910<br />
Interesting to note:<br />
Bridgeport Athletic MFG. Co.<br />
Wright & Ditson Successors<br />
Paramount with gut strings?<br />
c. 1930<br />
(Randy Crow reports that the Wright<br />
& Ditson steel racket in his possession<br />
has gut strings and not piano wire<br />
strings as all the Daytons. Its<br />
appearance is also different. Spalding,<br />
parent company of Wright & Ditson,<br />
was assigneé to U.S.A. Patent No.<br />
1.696.251 regarding the manufacture<br />
of metal rackets of tubing and granted<br />
in Dec. 25, 1928 to Harold D. Penney).<br />
Please add to the table on page 475:<br />
Crescent, solid ash frame with a<br />
“wavy” wedge.<br />
c. 1910<br />
Racket from a collection:<br />
Surprise, c. 1900, with a concave<br />
and laminated wedge. It has one<br />
wooden insert of different colour in<br />
the centre of its wedge.<br />
It is apparently a forerunner of the<br />
laminated wedge with two inserts<br />
made by many companies to W.<br />
Richey’s US-Patent No. 779,184 of<br />
1905.<br />
eBay 2008:<br />
DeLuxe, open throat,<br />
c. 1932<br />
Please add, years made not known:<br />
Anzag<br />
Challenger<br />
Boston<br />
Ace, page 475, change handle from<br />
leather to regular grooving (collection<br />
Ron Halberg, Chatham, Ill. U.S.A.).<br />
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Book of Tennis Rackets North American Rackets<br />
Update<br />
Additional information to page 484:<br />
Zebest Racquet Sports Corp.<br />
Company:<br />
The company made also stringing<br />
machines besides tennis rackets.<br />
It claimed that it had patents pending<br />
in many countries on its Powerflex<br />
Zone (ripples along both sides of the<br />
open throat area), which was applied<br />
to its Snaky rackets.<br />
Patents were also applied for a<br />
vibration absorption system for its<br />
VAS rackets in the U.S.A. and R.O.C.<br />
Vibration Absorbtion System VAS<br />
Rackets manufactured:<br />
1988: from top to bottom highest to<br />
lowest price tag<br />
VAS-96<br />
VAS-96 G<br />
Snaky I<br />
Snaky II<br />
UFO-98C<br />
UFO-88<br />
Pro-44<br />
Pro-88<br />
Pro-99<br />
Pro-108<br />
Pro-109<br />
Marble Graphite-55<br />
Marble Graphite-105<br />
Future Star I<br />
Future Star II<br />
Leaflets and brochures for this<br />
addition were contributed by Glenn<br />
A. Bjorkman.<br />
Powerflex Zone<br />
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Book of Tennis Rackets Australian Rackets<br />
Update<br />
Australian Rackets<br />
Alexander (The) Patent Racket Co. Ltd.<br />
Brewer (The) Racket Company<br />
Campbells<br />
Chesterfield<br />
Dean G., Dulwich E.<br />
Dodge & Co.<br />
Dunlop Australia<br />
Empire Racket Company<br />
Fin Sports Ltd.<br />
Hedley’s (L.W.) Pty. Ltd.<br />
Lassetter & Co. Limited<br />
Mahoney’s Direct Tennis Supply<br />
N.S.W. Sports Store<br />
Oliver Racket Company Ltd.<br />
Slazengers Australia<br />
Spalding Australia<br />
Spider Web Sports Products<br />
Stellar International Sporting Goods Pty. Ltd.<br />
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Book of Tennis Rackets Australian Rackets<br />
Additional information to page 63<br />
Alexander (The)<br />
Patent Racket Company<br />
Limited<br />
Launceston, Tasmania, Australia<br />
Update<br />
Company:<br />
Established in 1926 (deduced from<br />
1951 advertisement “Silver Anniversary”).<br />
Their most famous racket was the flat<br />
top Cressy Wizard, made for Jack<br />
Crawford (Wimbledon, French, Australian<br />
1933 and World No. 1) in the<br />
early 1930’s. Crawford was introduced<br />
to an old flat top racket when playing<br />
socially at a party at Norman Brookes’<br />
home. He was so impressed with its<br />
playing qualities that he asked an<br />
Alexander representative, who was<br />
also at the Brookes’ party, to make<br />
one for him. The resulting “Cressy<br />
Wizard” became one of the most popular<br />
rackets of the 1930’s, and it was<br />
Crawford’s trademark. Norman<br />
Brookes (Wimbledon 1907, 1914) was<br />
known as “The Wizard” during his<br />
playing days in the early 1900’s, so<br />
presumably this was the source of the<br />
Cressy Wizard name.<br />
Alexander was one of Australia’s most<br />
popular rackets until the late 1950’s,<br />
when it was apparently acquired by<br />
Spalding Australia – A Spalding<br />
Cressy Perfect racket with the<br />
Alexander Cressy Perfect motif was<br />
made c.1960 and Alexander rackets<br />
disappeared from about that time.<br />
The Cressy Wizard gradually went out<br />
of favour – although it suited<br />
Crawford’s baseline game, it was not<br />
good for low volleys. Also, according<br />
to one report, the frame cracked frequently<br />
owing to the stresses imposed<br />
on the flat top by the higher stringing<br />
tension compared to the original flat<br />
top rackets. Alexander subsequently<br />
introduced a range of semi-flat top<br />
rackets, to complement its more conventional<br />
oval shaped rackets.<br />
Alexander also made badminton and<br />
squash rackets.<br />
From a Hartley’s Sports Stores Catalogue<br />
1928:<br />
Topspin (27/6)<br />
Dover (40/-)<br />
Hunter (65/-)<br />
Cressy (85/-)<br />
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Book of Tennis Rackets Australian Rackets<br />
Update<br />
production throughout. Alexander<br />
pioneered cold bent laminated frame,<br />
speed cane handle, comfortable grip,<br />
refinement in style and appearance,<br />
recessed overlay, perfect balance<br />
without mechanical aid.”<br />
This section with all illustrations was<br />
contributed by Adrian Keats,<br />
Newtown, Victoria, Austr., Oct. 2001<br />
Alexander: Cressy Perfect c. 1954<br />
Additional information:<br />
Company:<br />
From “Tennis and Golf in Australia”,<br />
Aug. 15, 1930.<br />
Ad by Alexander:<br />
“Australians!!<br />
Do you realise what Alexander’s are<br />
doing in the manufacture of sporting<br />
material, right at our door?”<br />
Pictures of the factory are shown in<br />
the ad where they claim to be the<br />
“largest tennis racket manufacturers<br />
in Australasia”.<br />
Approx. 150 workmen were employed<br />
at that time.<br />
In a second ad in the same magazine J.<br />
O. Anderson is shown in action using<br />
his new “J. O. Anderson” autographed<br />
model.<br />
Alexander: Cressy Wizard Flat Top,<br />
c. 1934<br />
Hartley’s Sports Stores Catalogue<br />
1934/35:<br />
“Manufactured from the very highest<br />
grade materials by skilled craftsmen<br />
under new methods of construction,<br />
the strength and durability of an<br />
Alexander Racket can always be relied<br />
upon.”<br />
Cressy Perfect (75/-)<br />
Cressy Wizard (75/-)<br />
Speed King (75/-)<br />
Cressy Hardcourt (70/-)<br />
Cyclone (60/-)<br />
Hurricane Flat Top (55/-)<br />
Jim Willard Special (50/-)<br />
Marathon (45/-)<br />
Alexander Logo (Trade Mark Reg.)<br />
Speedwing (37/6)<br />
Dauntless Flat Top (37/6)<br />
Topspin (30/-)<br />
Fearless Flat Top (25/-)<br />
Hotshot (21/-)<br />
Cressy Junior (21/-)<br />
Alexander De Luxe (squash) (45/-)<br />
Sports Goods Retailer<br />
1938:<br />
“Alexander Rackets are easier to sell,<br />
because…<br />
ALEXANDER is the only Australianmade<br />
racket that has proved good<br />
enough to win the world’s title at<br />
Wimbledon. ALEXANDER is a quality<br />
Rackets manufactured:<br />
1930:<br />
J. O. Anderson, autographed,<br />
concave, combed wooden handle.<br />
Three bindings at shoulders.<br />
1931:<br />
From an ad in “Tennis and Golf in<br />
Australia”, Jan. 1, 1931.<br />
J. O. Anderson, Super Hardcourt,<br />
concave, combed wooden handle<br />
Cressy de Luxe, Super Hardcourt,<br />
concave, combed wooden handle<br />
Rackets in the collection of Ted<br />
a’Beckett, 2001:<br />
Cressy Model de Luxe, The Alexander<br />
Patent Racket Co. Ltd. Trade Mark<br />
Reg. Made expressly for Hardley’s<br />
(Sports Stores).<br />
Estimated: 1927<br />
Cressy Wizard, Speed Model. Flat<br />
top. World’s Record Breaker.<br />
Estimated: 1934<br />
Peerless, Tournament Model. Made<br />
by Alexander. Makers of the famous<br />
Cressy 5 star rackets.<br />
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Book of Tennis Rackets Australian Rackets<br />
Estimated: 1939<br />
Cressy Hardcourt, Championship<br />
Model. A product de-luxe Alexander.<br />
Certified star quality ARMA.<br />
Estimated: 1954<br />
Rackets in the collection of Rodney<br />
Lack, 2005:<br />
Yarrabat de Luxe, c. 1954<br />
Update<br />
“Yesterday’s Tasmanian innovators”<br />
Information source: Tasmanian<br />
Inventions and Innovations,<br />
published by the Queen Victoria<br />
Museum and Art Gallery, 1987.<br />
Alexander tennis racket, 1920s.<br />
Alfred Alexander, Launceston<br />
Alfred Alexander invented the first<br />
laminated tennis racket in the world<br />
and patented the process.<br />
Alexander and S.B. Hopwood<br />
established the first Alexander Patent<br />
Racket Company Ltd factory in<br />
Wentworth Street, Launceston, in<br />
1926. In its early years, the company<br />
attempted to use Tasmanian timber<br />
but after exhaustive tests it became<br />
necessary to import high quality Ash<br />
from England.<br />
The company was the first Australian<br />
company to wholly manufacture<br />
tennis rackets and became one of the<br />
foremost manufacturers of sporting<br />
goods in the Southern Hemisphere,<br />
with branches in every state and a<br />
wide international export market.<br />
Champion tennis player Jack Crawford<br />
adopted and endorsed the Alexander<br />
racket and used it in 1933 when he<br />
won Wimbledon.<br />
BELIEVE IN YOUR IDEAS<br />
INVENTION:<br />
ALEXANDER TENNIS RACKET,<br />
1920S<br />
INVENTOR:<br />
ALFRED ALEXANDER,<br />
LAUNCESTON<br />
Alfred Alexander invented the first<br />
laminated tennis racket in the world<br />
and patented the process.<br />
Alexander and S.B. Hopwood<br />
established the first Alexander Patent<br />
Racket Company Ltd factory in<br />
Wentworth Street, Launceston, in<br />
1926. In its early years, the company<br />
attempted to use Tasmanian timber but<br />
after exhaustive tests it became<br />
necessary to import high quality ash<br />
from England.<br />
The company was the first Australian<br />
company to wholly manufacture tennis<br />
rackets and became one of the<br />
foremost manufacturers of sporting<br />
goods in the Southern Hemisphere,<br />
with branches in every state and a<br />
wide international export market.<br />
Flyer published on the internet by the<br />
Department of Economic Development,<br />
Tasmania (2008)<br />
www.development.tas.gov.au/<br />
innovation/tasmanians2.html - 20k -<br />
WE DO<br />
Champion tennis player Jack Crawford<br />
adopted and endorsed the Alexander<br />
racket and used it in 1933 when he<br />
won Wimbledon.<br />
95
Book of Tennis Rackets Australian Rackets<br />
Brewer (The)<br />
Racket Company,<br />
Newport, Victoria, Australia<br />
Company:<br />
The Brewer company was established<br />
in the early 1930’s with a factory in<br />
Newport, Victoria and a depot in Fink’s<br />
Building, 6 Elizabeth Street,<br />
Melbourne. It manufactured tennis,<br />
squash, and badminton rackets.<br />
Reprinted from a Brewer Catalogue<br />
(Estimated 1937):<br />
The Rackets of Distinction. From Log<br />
to Player’s Hand.<br />
By deeds, not words. To bring logs<br />
thousands of miles from Canada,<br />
convert the timber into rackets and<br />
export them back to their native<br />
country again, surely is some<br />
achievement for Australian ingenuity.<br />
In manufacturing Brewer rackets, we<br />
start right at the beginning – meaning<br />
that all of the scores of operations,<br />
from sawing the raw Canadian Ash<br />
Logs, to the stringing of the finished<br />
frames, are carried out entirely in the<br />
Brewer factory. This timber, chosen<br />
for its toughness and non-splitting<br />
qualities, is imported direct from<br />
staunch and trusted Canadian friends<br />
who forward the selected logs in<br />
batches up to 750 at a time. Our<br />
Canadian Ash, with its stringy texture<br />
and twisted grain, must not be<br />
confused with so-called English Ash<br />
or the Australian building hardwood<br />
from which numbers of inferior rackets<br />
are made. The slow process of milling<br />
and seasoning, a study in itself,<br />
requires utmost care and attention,<br />
for this initial treatment forms the<br />
foundation so necessary in building<br />
perfect woodwork. Constant and<br />
practical personal supervision, plus<br />
the desire to create a superlative article<br />
has resulted in Brewer Rackets finding<br />
a market for themselves in Africa, The<br />
Continent, U.S.A., Canada, Eastern<br />
Countries and New Zealand as well as<br />
all States of Australia. Becoming more<br />
popular every day, Badminton and<br />
Squash are most fascinating indo<br />
recreations. For each, Brewer Rackets<br />
are offered in two models.<br />
The “Style-Leader”, with its flexible<br />
cane handle, unbreakable throat,<br />
reinforced shoulders and comfortable<br />
leather grip, is unchallengeable.<br />
Again, for Squash, the famous<br />
diamond strung flat top is in great<br />
demand, it being recognised as the<br />
most practical racket for otherwise<br />
unreturnable shots. “Victory”, all<br />
white oval models, for Badminton and<br />
Squash. Ideal for hard play, but lacking<br />
the refinements of the “Style-Leader”.<br />
Brewer: Style Leader with a decal of an Indian<br />
c. 1937<br />
Update<br />
Rackets manufactured:<br />
c. 1937:<br />
Style Leader<br />
oval and semi-flat 65/-80/-, W’sale/<br />
Retail<br />
R.O.C. Autograph<br />
oval and semi-flat 60/-75/<br />
Centurion<br />
oval and semi-flat 60/-75/<br />
Vanquisher<br />
semi-flat-fop only<br />
Black Hawk<br />
oval only<br />
Captivator<br />
oval only<br />
Flying Chief<br />
oval and semi-flat<br />
Invader<br />
oval only<br />
Olympian<br />
oval and semi-flat<br />
Charioteer<br />
oval only 26/-32/6<br />
Standard Bearer<br />
oval and semi-flat 20/-25/<br />
Before selecting your new racket, be<br />
sure your dealer has the full stocks of<br />
the above models. If any difficulty is<br />
experienced, communicate direct.<br />
Brewer Rackets feature:<br />
The world’s strongest laminated<br />
Canadian Ash frames. Practical and<br />
graceful modern shapes, oval and flat<br />
top. Famous Brewer diamond<br />
strung flat tops (6 models).<br />
Streamlined genuine cane<br />
semi-flexible shafts. Bent U<br />
shaped reinforcing overlays<br />
on all models. Small bows for<br />
symbolised Strength,<br />
Reliability, Speed.<br />
Unbreakable throats, overcoming<br />
structural fractures.<br />
Comfortable leather grips of<br />
varied shapes and sizes. Sixty<br />
days guarantee – twice the<br />
usual period. Beautiful and<br />
original decorations and<br />
designs. Mirror-like finish,<br />
definitely un-equalled in the<br />
World.<br />
The brochure also provides a<br />
detailed description of racket<br />
stringing.<br />
96
Book of Tennis Rackets Australian Rackets<br />
Update<br />
The Stringing of Rackets<br />
Now that thousands of Brewer rackets<br />
are being sold in overseas countries<br />
every year, it is essential to give<br />
warning of the stringing faults most<br />
evident and which must be avoided if<br />
satisfaction is to be retained. These<br />
illustrations are shown to give some<br />
idea of what can happen to a racket if<br />
placed in the hands of an incompetent<br />
man for repairs. The stringing of<br />
rackets calls for more common sense<br />
than anything else, and, definitely, is<br />
not a profession that is handed down<br />
from father to son. But utmost care<br />
must be exercised, for, if the natural<br />
and original shape of the frame is not<br />
retained, warping is sure to result.<br />
Ninety per cent. of warping troubles<br />
are caused through frames being<br />
pulled out of shape by in-efficient<br />
stringers. The most common fault is<br />
that shown below. This actual frame<br />
was returned to the factory by a frame<br />
buyer who claimed it to be faulty, and<br />
although requested payment for the<br />
gut he had used, though, through lack<br />
of knowledge and lack of knowledge<br />
and perhaps the absence of proper<br />
tools, he had ruined one of our high<br />
grade frames by pulling the top of the<br />
bow nearly ½” from its natural shape.<br />
If bows must be distorted, less trouble<br />
is caused by erring in the opposite<br />
direction. Some skill is required to<br />
string a racket absolutely correct to<br />
original size, and we deem 1/8” either<br />
way the maximum of deviation. All<br />
rackets strung in the Brewer factory<br />
have the most careful attention, for it<br />
is our earnest desire to give users of<br />
Brewer rackets the best possible<br />
service and retain the reputation<br />
already gained for making frames able<br />
to withstand up to ten restrings.<br />
Without our exclusive Canadian Ash<br />
and the practical knowledge to put it<br />
to best use, this would be impossible.<br />
The Evolution of the Famous Brewer<br />
Method of Stringing Flat top Rackets<br />
Generally, flat top rackets are not as<br />
popular as they were, but only a short<br />
time ago almost every player in<br />
Australia realised the advantages of<br />
this practical shape, its greater area<br />
higher in the bow being recognised as<br />
a decided asset. But due to illdesigned<br />
frames, soft timber and bad<br />
stringers, the tennis public saw too<br />
many frames breaking and lost<br />
confidence. In 1933 Brewer evolved<br />
the famous diamond method of<br />
stringing flat tops, vividly showing<br />
its superiority over the ordinary<br />
method, which caused so much<br />
97
Book of Tennis Rackets Australian Rackets<br />
Update<br />
possessing only one corner or point<br />
at the top.<br />
It has been our experience to notice<br />
that if a player is given the choice of<br />
oval and flat top, he will, in seven<br />
cases out of ten, choose one of the six<br />
Brewer Diamond strung models which<br />
are optional in the standard range of<br />
eleven.<br />
With practical methods, and without<br />
drones in factory and sales<br />
organisations, Brewer continues to<br />
produce the finest rackets that money<br />
and men can build.<br />
No racket ever came to the forefront<br />
like Brewer – a few years ago unknown<br />
– now used in almost every part of the<br />
world. By Quality and Service we’ve<br />
grown.”<br />
trouble.<br />
As seen by the photographs, the<br />
diamond-stringing actually braces the<br />
frame in the same manner as a gate is<br />
stayed, gives long centre strings of<br />
equal length, and thereby allows for<br />
greater resiliency in play. Also, high<br />
tension, having been applied, must<br />
remain, for the frame cannot sag to<br />
allow strings to slacken. It is perhaps<br />
hard to believe that the frames as<br />
shown were exactly the same shape<br />
before being partially strung<br />
(comparison of rectangular and<br />
diagonal stringing on a flat top).<br />
The very fact that 50% of the rackets<br />
strung in the Brewer factory are<br />
diamond strung flat tops speaks for<br />
itself. Once converted to a Brewer Flat<br />
top, players have no desire to revert<br />
to the ordinary flat top or the oval<br />
shape, both with their non-resilient<br />
short cross strings. However, the oval<br />
type of frame is not suitable for<br />
diamond-stringing owing to its<br />
This section was contributed by<br />
Adrian Keats, Newtown, Victoria,<br />
Australia, Oct. 2001<br />
Rackets in the collection of Ted<br />
a’Beckett, 2001:<br />
Centurion, flat top with diagonal<br />
stringing. Excellent for utility & style.<br />
The Brewer unbreakable throat. Made<br />
entirely by The Brewer Racket Co.,<br />
Newport Vic., Aus., from the finest<br />
imported ash logs only.<br />
Estimated: 1935<br />
Style Leader, The Brewer Racket<br />
Company Newport Victoria. The<br />
Brewer unbreakable throat. Laminated<br />
handle of genuine cane.<br />
Estimated: 1940<br />
Black Hawk, internationally<br />
renowned. Strength, speed plus grace<br />
of line. Fibre encased frame. For<br />
Championship Play.<br />
Estimated: 1950<br />
Racket in the collection of Tom<br />
Paton , 2000:<br />
Vanquisher, flat top with diagonal<br />
stringing.<br />
Estimated: 1940<br />
of Bert Armstrong:<br />
Centurion, c. 1940<br />
Style Leader, c. 1950<br />
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Book of Tennis Rackets Australian Rackets<br />
Brewer’s: Centurion, c. 1940<br />
New information:<br />
Dean G., Dulwich E.<br />
Makers<br />
Melbourne, S.E. <strong>22</strong><br />
Australia<br />
Company:<br />
More information is required on this<br />
company.<br />
S. E. refers to South East Melbourne<br />
Racket in the collection of Siegfried<br />
Kuebler:<br />
Special, Model “A”<br />
Three laminations, beech, ash, beech.<br />
Reinforced shoulders. Sycamore heart.<br />
Leather wrapped handle.<br />
Estimated: 1950<br />
New information:<br />
Chesterfield<br />
Australia<br />
Update<br />
Company:<br />
More information is required on this<br />
company.<br />
Rackets in the collection of Ted<br />
a’Beckett, 2001:<br />
Play Bat – Genuine cane shaft.<br />
Precision built. Laminated all ash.<br />
Made in Australia.<br />
Estimated: 1942<br />
Autograph, Championship Model.<br />
Made in Australia.<br />
Estimated: 1942<br />
Rackets in the collection of Adrian<br />
Keats:<br />
Truflex, long narrow flat top.<br />
Estimated: 1936<br />
Bert Armstrong:<br />
Thunderbird, the choice of Champions<br />
c. 1940<br />
Brewer’s: Style Leader, c. 1950<br />
New information:<br />
Dodge & Co., L.W.<br />
10-12 Hunter St.<br />
Sidney<br />
Australia<br />
From an ad in “Tennis News”, April<br />
11, 1923:<br />
Company:<br />
“Sydney Sports Store”.<br />
Rackets marketed and promoted:<br />
1923:<br />
Dodge, Special Racket.<br />
“The Championship Racket which has<br />
proved to be the strongest, best<br />
finished, and most serviceable racket<br />
in modern times.” Concave, vellum<br />
taped and bound shoulders.<br />
G. Dean: Special Model “A”,<br />
c. 1950<br />
Chesterfield: Thunderbird, c. 1940<br />
New information:<br />
Campbells<br />
Brisbane<br />
Australia<br />
Company:<br />
More information is required on this<br />
company.<br />
Rackets in the collection of Adrian<br />
Keats:<br />
Model de Luxe. For stroke control.<br />
Selected imported ash. Streamlined.<br />
Fluted round shaft.<br />
Estimated: 1935<br />
This section was contributed by<br />
Adrian Keats, Newtown, Victoria,<br />
Australia, Oct. 2001<br />
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Book of Tennis Rackets Australian Rackets<br />
Additional information to page 138:<br />
Dunlop Australia<br />
Update<br />
The flagships of the Dunlop product<br />
line were the Maxply International<br />
(same style as the English Maxply)<br />
and later the Maxply Austral, with full<br />
or partial colour surface finish. The<br />
Pastime was a lesser grade racket.<br />
Selected rackets from the collection<br />
of Adrian Keats:<br />
Maxply – International. (Classic<br />
Maxply style). A Dunlop production.<br />
5 star quality. International model.<br />
Perforated grip. Estimated: 1940<br />
Maxply – International. A Dunlop<br />
production. Dunlop Sports Co. This<br />
frame features Duraplas overlay 10<br />
times stronger than wood. 5 star quality.<br />
Estimated: 1946<br />
Pastime – A Dunlop production.<br />
Dunlop Sports Co. Duraplas overlay.<br />
This frame features Duraplas overlay<br />
10 times stronger than wood.<br />
Estimated: 1947<br />
Pastime – A Dunlop production. For<br />
the power game. Duraplas overlays.<br />
Estimated: 1950<br />
Gussie Moran – Photo decal. Maxply.<br />
Duraplas overlay. Made in Australia.<br />
“This frame is specifically made for<br />
ladies and is used exclusively by<br />
Gussie Moran in all championship<br />
play” (spirally around shaft). Dunlop<br />
Sports Co. Estimated: 1950<br />
Lewis Hoad – Photo decal. Corner<br />
cushions for string protection. Semi<br />
pneumatic grip. (Note Lewis not Lew).<br />
Estimated: 1955<br />
Maxply – Dunlop. Maxply used by<br />
more Davis Cup players than any other<br />
racket. Semi pneumatic grip. Maxply.<br />
The World’s most popular racket.<br />
Estimated: 1959<br />
Maxply – (Blue/white colour scheme).<br />
Dunlop. The world’s most exclusive<br />
racket. Symmetrically drilled. Taper<br />
grip. Champ. weight. The only racket<br />
to win all 5 in one year * Wimbledon<br />
* U.S.A. * Australia * France * Italy.<br />
Estimated: 1960<br />
Pastime – (Blue/white colour scheme).<br />
Dunlop. C2 (very heavy).<br />
Estimated: 1960<br />
Maxply – Austral (Australia decal).<br />
Grand slam. Wimbledon favourite. The<br />
world’s most exclusive racket. Recommended<br />
by world professional<br />
Dunlop Australia: Lewis Hoad,<br />
Photodecal c. 1955<br />
Dunlop Australia: Lewis Hoad,<br />
Photodecal c. 1957<br />
Dunlop Australia: Frank Sedgman<br />
Personal, Photodecal c. 1954<br />
Dunlop Australia: Gussie Moran,<br />
Photodecal, c. 1950<br />
100
Book of Tennis Rackets Australian Rackets<br />
champions Rod Laver, Lew Hoad. Estimated:<br />
1965<br />
Maxply – International. (Classic<br />
Maxply style). Made in Australia.<br />
Estimated 1965<br />
Maxply – Austral (Red/white colour<br />
scheme). Used and recommended by<br />
world professional champions Rod<br />
Laver, Tony Roche. Wimbledon *<br />
U.S.A. * Australian * French * Italian<br />
championships. Grand Slam winner.<br />
Estimated: 1968<br />
Maxply – Austral. Dunlop. Makers of<br />
Maxply. Made in Australia.<br />
Estimated: 1973<br />
Olympic 88 – Ceramic. Graphite fibres<br />
reinforced with ceramic. Designed<br />
in Australia. Made in Korea.<br />
Estimated: 1988<br />
This section including all illustrations<br />
was contributed by Adrian Keats,<br />
Newtown, Victoria, Australia, Oct.<br />
2001.<br />
Rackets in the collection of Ted<br />
a’Beckett, 2001:<br />
Frank Sedgman Personal Model –<br />
photodecal/signature. Maxply.<br />
Duraplas overlays.<br />
A Dunlop Production. Made for the<br />
power game.<br />
Estimated: 1954<br />
Lewis Hoad – photodecal/signature.<br />
Power packed by Dunlop.<br />
A decal on the side of the shaft bears<br />
a list of Lewis Hoad’s singles wins<br />
(national and International<br />
championships from 1949 to 1957). The<br />
doubles wins are listed on the other<br />
side.<br />
Estimated: 1957<br />
New information:<br />
Empire Racquet Company<br />
Australia<br />
Company:<br />
More information is required on this<br />
company.<br />
Rackets in the collection of Adrian<br />
Keats:<br />
Swiftsure, Model de Luxe, “Empire”/<br />
Australia map/kangaroo decal.<br />
Adjustable balance (screw-in handle).<br />
Estimated: 1932<br />
Update<br />
Additional information to page 160:<br />
Fin Sports Ltd.<br />
After 1990 Fin Sports Ltd. probably moved<br />
to Aylesbury, Bucks, in England.<br />
The address in 1996 in the U.S.A. was:<br />
Fin Worldwide (U.S.A.), Ltd.<br />
1540 Gilbreth Road<br />
Burlingame CA 94010<br />
(Address from a newsletter 1996).<br />
Rackets distributed in the U.S.A.:<br />
1996:<br />
Shark Reflex 260<br />
Shark Reflex 280<br />
Shark Reflex 300<br />
Shark Reflex Jr (for juniors)<br />
Ultralite SR 280<br />
Ultralite SR 300<br />
Ultralite SR 320<br />
Extract from a prospectus of the<br />
company describing its rackets:<br />
Introducing the revolutionary Shark<br />
Reflex System.<br />
Unlike other racquets we actually split<br />
the frame at the throat. The two free<br />
arms are connected with our patented<br />
Shark Reflex System (Comment: an<br />
elastic material such as plastic or<br />
rubber piece). When the ball makes<br />
contact with the split head, the two<br />
arms flex in a precisely engineered<br />
manner. Shock-producing vibration is<br />
transformed into a well-controlled<br />
resonance. Because the arms recoil<br />
very quickly, potential energy is<br />
transformed back to the ball. The<br />
moving arms also lengthen and widen<br />
the sweet spot considerably.<br />
101
Book of Tennis Rackets Australian Rackets<br />
New information:<br />
Hedley’s Pty. Ltd.<br />
Later:<br />
Hedley Sporting Goods<br />
Manufacturers<br />
27 Alfred Street<br />
Prahran, Victoria<br />
Australia<br />
Update<br />
From an ad in “Tennis and Golf in<br />
Australia”, Oct. 1931:<br />
Company:<br />
“Hedley’s Tennis Racquets Obtainable<br />
in All Sports Stores.”<br />
They mad e rackets at least until 1953.<br />
Rackets manufactured:<br />
From the ad shown:<br />
:<br />
1931:<br />
Hedley’s Finalist, made from imported<br />
ash, black fibre overlay. Leather<br />
covered cushion grip. Blue and green<br />
bindings.<br />
1950:<br />
Dinny Pails, photo decal picture<br />
racket.<br />
Rackets in the collection of Adrian<br />
Keats:<br />
Challenge, All Court Model. Perfect<br />
Balance. Sold by: Pacific Coast Racket<br />
Distributing Co. (Los Angeles CA).<br />
Made in Australia.<br />
Estimated: 1940<br />
Special Club, Hartcourt Model.<br />
Reinforced shoulders. A Hedley Product.<br />
Hedley’s for quality.<br />
Estimated: 1945<br />
Rackets in the collection of Ted<br />
a’Beckett, 2001:<br />
Sentinel – a Hedley product. All court<br />
model. For strength and perfect<br />
balance.<br />
Estimated: 1945<br />
Matchpoint – Model de Luxe. A Hedley<br />
product. Reinforced shoulders. KC &<br />
EJ Mahoney Direct Tennis Supply.<br />
Estimated: 1947<br />
102
Book of Tennis Rackets Australian Rackets<br />
New information:<br />
Lassetter & Co. Limited<br />
George Street<br />
Sydney/Australia<br />
New information:<br />
Mahoney’s Direct Tennis<br />
Supply<br />
Australia<br />
New information:<br />
N.S.W. Sports Store<br />
11 Martin Place, Sydney<br />
Australia<br />
Update<br />
From an ad in “Tennis News” from<br />
Australia,<br />
c. 1925:<br />
Lassetter’s Victory Racket<br />
made of selected rent ash. Concave, one<br />
binding. Combed handle.<br />
Company:<br />
K.C. & E.J. Mahoney Direct Tennis<br />
Supply. Hedley made rackets for the<br />
company among others.<br />
More information is required on this<br />
company.<br />
Rackets in the collection of Adrian<br />
Keats:<br />
Aristocrat, Speed Model. New Model.<br />
Mahoney Special Championship<br />
Model. (Diamond shaped shaft).<br />
Estimated: 1935<br />
Aristocrat, flat top model<br />
Estimated: 1935<br />
Aristocrat, Speed Model. Mahoney.<br />
For Championship Play.<br />
Estimated: 1938<br />
Matchpoint<br />
Estimated: 1939<br />
This section was contributed by<br />
Adrian Keats, Newtown, Victoria,<br />
Australia, Oct. 2001<br />
From an ad in “Australasian Lawn<br />
Tennis”, Sept. 30, 1925:<br />
Company:<br />
Successors to Claude Wood & Co.,<br />
Martin Place Estab.<br />
“We supply the trade.”<br />
Rackets marketed:<br />
1925:<br />
Seawood, new model. Strung with<br />
Tracey’s of Armour’s orange gut.<br />
Lynwood, for the beginner, similar in<br />
design and shape to the above.<br />
Additional information to page 273:<br />
Oliver Racket Company Ltd.<br />
Later Oliver Sports Goods Ltd.<br />
Adelaide, South Australia<br />
Company:<br />
The following information on the<br />
company was provided by<br />
Tim Hooley, Dec. 14, 2000.<br />
Excerpt:<br />
“Oliver Pty. Ltd., located in Adelaide,<br />
South Australia, produced tennis and<br />
squash rackets, which were widely<br />
available throughout Australia during<br />
the 1960’s and 1970’s.<br />
The model in your collection (Oliver<br />
International) was produced in 1967. I<br />
purchased one in August of that year<br />
at David Jones Department store in<br />
Sydney. It cost Australian $18, strung<br />
with a utility grade natural gut. The<br />
top line Oliver racket, the ‘Bluebird’,<br />
sold for $21, a price slightly below<br />
that of the ‘Big Three’ domestic<br />
manufacturers of the time, which were<br />
Slazenger, Dunlop, and Spalding.<br />
Frank Sedgman and Mal Anderson<br />
were touring professionals under<br />
contract to use and promote Oliver<br />
rackets.<br />
The leading ‘amateur’ player using<br />
these rackets before the April 1968<br />
advent of ‘open tennis’ was Kerry<br />
Melville (later Kerry Melville-Reid).<br />
The model that she and the other<br />
sponsored players used was very<br />
different to the thin shaft model sold<br />
in stores, and resembled the<br />
contemporary Aussie frames made by<br />
Slazenger, Spalding, and Dunlop.<br />
Oliver rackets were also distributed in<br />
Canada by Fred Martin Agencies of<br />
Winnipeg.<br />
An attempt was made to introduce the<br />
brand in Great Britain by David Petrie<br />
Ltd. in 1972. Petrie was the U.K.<br />
distributor for Weddell natural gut<br />
strings at the time, and was looking<br />
for a line of business which would be<br />
complementary to this product. A<br />
leading professional squash player of<br />
the time, Geoff Hunt, was signed on to<br />
endorse the Oliver squash racket.<br />
The brand disappeared in the early<br />
1980’s, probably a victim of the<br />
reversal of the,‘tennis boom’.”<br />
The following information on the company<br />
was provided by Adrian Keats,<br />
Newtown, Victoria, Australia<br />
Oliver was most famous for its “Bluebird”<br />
range, which was a common<br />
starting racquet for junior players.<br />
Frank Sedgman and Mal Anderson<br />
endorsed many of the Oliver rackets<br />
in the 1950’s (under Oliver Sports<br />
Goods).<br />
103
Book of Tennis Rackets Australian Rackets<br />
Selected rackets from the collection<br />
of Adrian Keats:<br />
Oliver Racket Company Ltd.<br />
Tournament – The New Graceline<br />
Model by Oliver. Made in Australia<br />
by Olivers Racket Company (note plural<br />
of Oliver). Oliver De-Luxe. Estimated:<br />
1939<br />
Aristoc – For tournament play. Made<br />
in Australia by Olivers Racket Company<br />
(note plural of Oliver).<br />
Estimated: 1939<br />
Tournament – Varsity Model. Oliver<br />
De-Luxe. Made in Australia by Oliver<br />
Racket Co. Ltd.<br />
Estimated: 1940<br />
Blue Bird – Junior Model. Made in<br />
Australia by Oliver Racket Co. Ltd.<br />
(Note the name “Blue Bird” as two<br />
words accompanied by a stylised blue<br />
bird in the decal)<br />
Estimated: 1940<br />
Oliver Sports Goods Ltd.<br />
(Note the name “Bluebird” now as one<br />
word)<br />
Professional – Frank Sedgman signature.<br />
Oliver World Champion. Action<br />
shaft. Frank Sedgman and Mal Anderson<br />
use OLIVER exclusively. Featuring<br />
the ACTION FLEX SHAFT.<br />
Estimated: 1955<br />
Bluebird – (Blue colour scheme) New<br />
fibre facings for maximum strength.<br />
Controlled flex action as inbuilt exclusive<br />
for increased power placement<br />
and timing.<br />
Estimated: 1958<br />
Bluebird Junior – Frank Sedgman<br />
signature. Hand crafted from finest<br />
materials by OLIVER Sports Goods<br />
LTD., AUSTRALIA.<br />
Estimated: 1958<br />
Tournament – Hand crafted from selected<br />
Canadian Ash – fibre reinforced.<br />
Frank Sedgman and Mal<br />
Anderson use OLIVER exclusively.<br />
Featuring CONTROLLED-FLEX AC-<br />
TION.<br />
Estimated: 1960<br />
Bluebird – (Brown colour scheme) Selected<br />
Canadian Ash – Fibre reinforced.<br />
Estimated: 1960<br />
Bluebird Junior – (Black, red and<br />
white colour scheme) Hand crafted<br />
from the finest materials. Made in Australia<br />
by OLIVER.<br />
Estimated: 1960<br />
The following information on the<br />
company was provided by Jürgen<br />
Bundschuh, Germany.<br />
Jack Oliver made his first rackets in<br />
1938. The company went bankrupt in<br />
the early 80’s. We bought all the<br />
remaining rights in 1984. The name<br />
Oliver is now a registered trademark in<br />
many countries around the world and<br />
is prominent in marketing badminton<br />
and squash rackets in Europe (March<br />
2003).<br />
Rackets in the collection of Ted<br />
a’Beckett, 2001:<br />
Bluebird, plastic bonded, fire<br />
hardened shoulders. Genuine cane.<br />
Oliver: Bluebird c. 1960<br />
Update<br />
Frame made of finest imported ash.<br />
Blue bird decal crossed by “Olivers”.<br />
Estimated: 1952<br />
Bluebird, ‘Airflute’ handle. Airflute<br />
non-slip grip (fluted handle,<br />
perforated grip with four small air holes<br />
at butt end). World Championship<br />
Winner (presumably Sedgman was<br />
referred to as 1952 Wimbledon<br />
Champion).<br />
Estimated: 1953<br />
Bluebird, Strokemaster Model,<br />
precision poised, ‘Airflute’ handle.<br />
Estimated: 1958<br />
104
Book of Tennis Rackets Australian Rackets<br />
Additional information to page 321:<br />
Slazengers Australia<br />
The Slazenger Challenge was one of<br />
the most popular rackets in Australia<br />
during the 1960’s and 1970’s and was<br />
used by Ken Rosewall, John<br />
Newcombe and Margaret Court<br />
(Smith). The Royal Crown racket was<br />
a lesser grade racket during that time.<br />
Slazenger Australia: Brochure 1934<br />
Use of the term Slazenger or Slazengers<br />
varies from racket to racket and era to<br />
era. The Challenge racket was made<br />
until the end of the wood era (around<br />
1982).<br />
Rackets manufactured:<br />
Slazengers Quality Rackets (Brochure)<br />
for<br />
1934:<br />
“High grade Slazenger Rackets were<br />
used by the winner of the Victorian<br />
and Australian Singles Championships.<br />
The new range of quality rackets,<br />
which Slazengers presents for the<br />
1934 season, will delight the most discriminating<br />
buyers of sporting equipment!<br />
Each year the sporting public<br />
looks forward to something still better,<br />
and each year Slazengers are<br />
happy to provide it. Our range for this<br />
season has been selected with the<br />
Update<br />
greatest care, and comprises a wide<br />
variety of distinctive designs and<br />
styles, built from the very finest quality<br />
materials, and under the strictest<br />
supervision of trained operatives.”<br />
Cavalier Master Model (Patented)<br />
“Cradled in Cane” – strong as steel,<br />
standing up to the highest stringing<br />
tension. Scientifically balanced to put<br />
the weight behind the ball. Result – a<br />
swift, crisp stroke that leaves your<br />
opponent standing. Try it! It’s a<br />
“Master”! (75/-)<br />
Cavalier Tournament Model (Patented)<br />
“Cradled in Cane”. In construction<br />
and performance similar to the<br />
“Master”, but smartly decorated in<br />
Black and White for those who do not<br />
care for brighter colours. Ideal for<br />
hard hitters! (75/-)<br />
Slazenger Autograph<br />
Another fine Slazenger model, of fourpiece<br />
construction, comprising finest<br />
imported Ash, and English Beech, with<br />
Walnut veneer insertion. It features a<br />
full Ash overlay in the new Slazenger<br />
“V” or bevelled design. This overlay<br />
gives immense strength and rigidity<br />
to the shoulders, without “heaviness”.<br />
The Basswood handle, streamlined<br />
throughout, is also reinforced by the<br />
new “V” section, ensuring great<br />
strength. A model of grace and power!<br />
(70/-)<br />
Doherty<br />
Laminated two-piece Ash, with inlay<br />
of Walnut veneer, and full shoulder<br />
overlay. Finished in the ever-popular<br />
Black and White. Always a favourite!<br />
(60/-)<br />
Puritan<br />
This laminated Ash frame carries a<br />
most effective bevelled shoulder<br />
overlay of English Beech – a very<br />
decorative timber! Finished with blue<br />
lines and bindings, this model is<br />
designed to please the buyer who likes<br />
a “plain” but modern Racket. (55/-)<br />
Demon<br />
A well-known model in selected Ash<br />
with full overlay. Finished in Black<br />
and Red. (50/-)<br />
Renshaw<br />
Excellent value at moderate cost.<br />
Strongly built, with a full shoulder<br />
overlay. Attractively finished in Blue<br />
and White. (45/-)<br />
105
Book of Tennis Rackets Australian Rackets<br />
Eclipse<br />
In two-piece Ash with shockproof<br />
wedge and sycamore shoulder<br />
protection. For the keen buyer. (37/6)<br />
Player<br />
A sturdily built model of imported Ash,<br />
in effective Red and Black design, at<br />
very moderate cost. (30/-)<br />
La Belle<br />
A keen bargain for beginners. (21/-)<br />
“All frames, except La Belle, have<br />
super black Grips. All Frames are of<br />
Laminated Construction, made from<br />
finest quality imported Ash. A type<br />
for every player. A price for every<br />
purse.”<br />
Selected rackets from the collection<br />
of Adrian Keats:<br />
Golden Hawke – Slazengers (Austr.)<br />
Ltd. Imported ash, laminated<br />
construction. X 1060.<br />
Estimated: 1933<br />
Challenge – 3 point. Genuine cane<br />
reinforcement. Weatherproof sealed<br />
finish. For championship play. 5 Star<br />
Certified ARMA. Choice of<br />
Champions (Slazengers).<br />
Estimated: 1945<br />
Challenge – Power game. Choice of<br />
world champions. Developed for the<br />
Power Game and used by leading Davis<br />
Cup stars.<br />
Estimated: 1955<br />
Update<br />
Royal Crown – Choice of World<br />
Champions.<br />
Estimated: 1955<br />
Challenge – Constellation Model.<br />
Microbalanced swing weight. The<br />
racket of the stars.<br />
Estimated: 1956<br />
Royal Crown – Splitproof<br />
construction. Slazenger quality<br />
products. Estimated: 1960<br />
Matchpoint – Champion of the World.<br />
Exclusive new “cradled construction”.<br />
Estimated: 1965<br />
Challenge – Exclusive, “cradled<br />
construction”. Magic Feel. Ken<br />
Rosewall photo decal on side of shaft.<br />
Estimated: 1965<br />
Challenge – Power zoned timber.<br />
Exclusively chosen by the winners of<br />
the world’s Major Four Titles & world<br />
professional stars Ken Rosewall and<br />
John Newcombe.<br />
Estimated: 1968<br />
Challenge – Finest quality imported<br />
timber. Craftsman built in Australia<br />
by Slazengers using exclusive<br />
processes & the finest imported<br />
timbers for high speed, flexibility,<br />
strength & durability. Exclusively<br />
chosen by … Ken Rosewall, John<br />
Newcombe and Margaret Court.<br />
Estimated: 1969<br />
John Newcombe – Photo decal junior<br />
racket.<br />
Estimated: 1973<br />
Panther – Aluminium with red plastic<br />
throat.<br />
Estimated: 1973<br />
Ken Rosewall – Wood. Designed in<br />
Australia, Made in Taiwan.<br />
Estimated: 1980<br />
This section including all illustrations<br />
was contributed by Adrian Keats,<br />
Newtown, Victoria, Australia, Oct.<br />
2001<br />
Slazenger Australia: Slazenger Tennis Ball<br />
now made in Australia, 1934<br />
Rackets in the collection of Ted<br />
a’Beckett, 2001:<br />
Challenge – 3 point Challenge.<br />
Genuine reinforced cane. 5 star<br />
certified ARMA.<br />
Estimated: 1945<br />
Challenge – Coronation Model<br />
Fibreloc wedge. Perfect balance. The<br />
exclusive choice of the Australian<br />
champion. Plastic bonded with<br />
waterproof adhesive pre bent to<br />
prevent stress.<br />
Estimated: 1953<br />
106
Book of Tennis Rackets Australian Rackets<br />
Update<br />
Additional information to page 356:<br />
Spalding Australia<br />
Selected rackets from the collection<br />
of Adrian Keats:<br />
Greenwood – Concave wedge with<br />
bevelled edge around the head. A.G.<br />
Spalding & Bros. Australasia Pty Ltd<br />
(in Spalding logo). Grooved wooden<br />
handle.<br />
Estimated: 1900 (Fair)<br />
Vantage – Speed Model. Laminated<br />
English Ash. Blackwood overlay. A.G.<br />
Spalding & Bros. embossed on grip.<br />
Estimated: 1935 (Fair)<br />
Top-Flite – Davis Cup Model. Resin<br />
bonded. Fibre welded. Genuine cane<br />
handle. 5 Star certified A.R.M.A.<br />
Frame made in Australia by Spalding.<br />
As used by the Australian Champion.<br />
(grooved leather grip with butt cap).<br />
Estimated : 1940 (Good)<br />
Top-Flite – Davis Cup Model. Ladies’<br />
Model. Fibre welded for resilient<br />
power. 5 Star certified A.R.M.A. Frame<br />
made in Australia by Spalding. As<br />
used by the Australian Champion.<br />
(With unknown female photo decal).<br />
Estimated: 1945 (Fair)<br />
Sp<br />
Gold medal – Frame made in Australia<br />
by Spalding. A quality product by the<br />
makers of “Top-Flite”. Estimated: 1947<br />
(Good plus)<br />
Syncro-Stroke – Richard Gonzales<br />
signature. Specially designed for<br />
speed strength & balance. Frame<br />
made in Australia by Spalding.<br />
Estimated: 1955 (Fine minus)<br />
“Pancho” Gonzales – Photo decal.<br />
World Champion Richard Gonzales.<br />
Syncro-Stroke. Autographed by the<br />
World Champion. Used by the<br />
Australian Champion.<br />
Estimated: 1957 (Fine)<br />
Cressy Perfect – Syncro Stroke Bow.<br />
Made in Australia. Used throughout<br />
the world.<br />
Estimated: 1960 (Good)<br />
Viscount – Made in Australia. Used<br />
throughout the world.<br />
Estimated: 1965 (Good plus)<br />
Fred Stolle – Top-Flite professional.<br />
Made by the world’s largest sporting<br />
goods manufacturer.<br />
Estimated: 1965 (Fair)<br />
Gonzales – Photo decal. Grand Prix.<br />
Export award winner. The world famous<br />
Gonzales frame is manufactured in<br />
Australia by Spalding. Only the finest<br />
available materials are used.<br />
Estimated: 1973 (Good).<br />
Top-Flite – (Black and red colour<br />
scheme) all white ash frame with fibre<br />
reinforced shoulders shaft & bow.<br />
Medium flex shaft. Australian Made.<br />
Estimated: 1975 (Excellent)<br />
Gonzales – (Red colour scheme) Grand<br />
Prix. Medium Flex. Crafted in<br />
Australia. All white ash frame with<br />
fibre strengthened bow and shoulders.<br />
medium flex shaft for control and<br />
power.<br />
Estimated: 1978 (Fine plus)<br />
Davis Cup – (Black/red colour scheme)<br />
all white ash frame with full double<br />
fibre strengthened shoulders and<br />
throat. Fibre reinforced bow. Hi flex<br />
shaft. Australian Made.<br />
Estimated: 1980 (New, unstrung)<br />
This section was contributed by<br />
Adrian Keats, Newtown, Victoria,<br />
Australia, Oct. 2001.<br />
Rackets in the collection of Ted<br />
a’Beckett, 2001:<br />
Tru Flite – Championship. De Luxe<br />
Model (with grooved shaft).<br />
Streamlined for speed. Made in<br />
Australia. 5 star quality certified<br />
ARMA. Laminated English ash. A.G.<br />
Spalding & Bros (A’Asia) Pty Ltd.<br />
Estimated: 1938<br />
Speed Flite – Championship.<br />
Tournament. Frame guaranteed 30<br />
days.<br />
Estimated: 1945<br />
Spalding Australia:<br />
Cressy Perfect, c. 1960<br />
New information:<br />
Spider Web Sports Products<br />
Melbourne<br />
Racket in a the collection of Adrian<br />
Keats:<br />
Talisman<br />
Estimated: 1935<br />
107
Book of Tennis Rackets Australian Rackets<br />
New information:<br />
Stellar International Sporting<br />
Goods Pty. Ltd.<br />
Australia<br />
Company:<br />
More information is required on this<br />
company.<br />
Stellar sponsored Pat Cash in his early<br />
years. Presumably it was founded in<br />
the 1970’s.<br />
Rackets in the collection of Adrian<br />
Keats:<br />
Black Diamond, black frame with<br />
silvered recess for strings extending<br />
down sides of shaft.<br />
Estimated: 1975<br />
Center Court, – The Stellar Center<br />
Court has a sublime construction of<br />
nine laminations. 3 fibre 3 maple 3 ash.<br />
Stellar rackets are designed by and<br />
manufactured under the strict control<br />
and authority of Stellar International<br />
Sporting Goods Pty Ltd Australia.<br />
(The racket was a cry in the wilderness<br />
for the dying timber racket – “Despite<br />
the tendency of some players to switch<br />
to non-timber rackets, most of the<br />
world’s top players continue to prefer<br />
to play with timber rackets. With this<br />
in mind, Stellar has developed the<br />
Update<br />
Center Court racket which they claim<br />
to be the most outstanding timber<br />
racket with a performance to suit the<br />
world’s most discriminating ‘Center<br />
Court’ players.”)<br />
Estimated: 1983<br />
Classic – Gold aluminium with black<br />
plastic throat.<br />
Estimated: 1980<br />
This section was contributed by<br />
Adrian Keats, Newtown, Victoria,<br />
Australia, Oct. 2001.<br />
108
Book of Tennis Rackets English Rackets<br />
Update<br />
English Rackets<br />
Anderson, Anderson & Anderson<br />
Alltree Bros.<br />
Ardee<br />
Ashby<br />
Atlas Mfg. Co.<br />
Austin<br />
Austin, Frank<br />
Ayres F. H.<br />
Baxendale & Co.<br />
Benetfink & Co.<br />
Birmingham Aluminium Casting<br />
Browne & Heppell<br />
Bryan, Frank<br />
Buchanan Ltd.<br />
Bussey Geo G. & Co. Ltd.<br />
Clapshaw & Cleave Ltd.<br />
Cleave, G.H., & Sons<br />
Collard<br />
Cook’s Athletic Co. (1907) Ltd.<br />
Crawfords<br />
Cow & Co., P.B.<br />
Craske & Smith<br />
Cubbett, James, Ltd.<br />
Davenport<br />
Davis Ltd., F.A.<br />
Denyer Ltd., L. G.<br />
Douglas<br />
Dunlop<br />
Eland<br />
Elvery & Co., J.W.<br />
Evertawt, Willmar<br />
Feltham & Co.<br />
Forrester & Sons<br />
Fortnam, Forrester & Co.<br />
Fox & Co. Ltd., T.<br />
Frema<br />
Gamage, Ltd., A.W.<br />
Gardiner Bros.<br />
Gardner (Waltham Abbey)<br />
Gibbs & Co.<br />
Gradidge and Sons<br />
Grays of Cambridge<br />
Grenville’s Limited<br />
Grose, Geo., & Co.<br />
Halley, Jas. B.<br />
Halsey, Geo.<br />
Hardy Bros. Ltd.<br />
Harris, T., & Son<br />
Haycraft,W.<br />
Hayley, H.<br />
Hazells Limited<br />
Hobbies<br />
Horn, J. D.<br />
Hubble & Ames<br />
Hutton H.<br />
J. ????e & Son<br />
Jaques<br />
Jefferies & Co.<br />
S. R. Jeffery & Son Ltd.<br />
Kerr, John, Bros.<br />
King & Co., A.<br />
Lawsons<br />
Lenglen’s Ltd.<br />
Lillywhites<br />
Lillywhites Jos., Frowd & Co.<br />
Logesom<br />
Lowe & Campbell<br />
Lugard & Pulham<br />
Lunn & Co.<br />
MacKee & Co., William<br />
Malings, Henry<br />
MCC (The) Bat Works Ltd.<br />
Mead & Toomer<br />
Merigold Bros.<br />
Montgomery & Co. Limited, Adams<br />
Moore, John<br />
Muller<br />
Murray & Baldwin<br />
Murton, Henry A.<br />
M & W<br />
Nash, Robert J.<br />
Nusser E., & Co.<br />
Ormond<br />
Page & Co., J. Edward<br />
Parkin & Gotto<br />
Perry & Co.<br />
Piggott, Ltd., John<br />
Prosser T.H., & Sons<br />
Quin & Axtens<br />
Radcliffe<br />
Redmayne & Todd<br />
Rushworths Ltd.<br />
Sams’ Bros & Barnes Ltd.<br />
Sheffield Ltd., J. & S<br />
Sidney, France<br />
Simpsons<br />
Smith Matthews<br />
Smith, Odgen<br />
Slazenger Ltd.<br />
Spalding A.G. & Bros.<br />
Sparke G.<br />
Sterling Rackets<br />
Stevens, Thomas<br />
Stockwin & Co.<br />
Stuart Surridge & Co. Ltd<br />
Sugg Ltd., Frank<br />
Sugg, H.H.<br />
Sykes Ltd., William<br />
Talmo<br />
Thornton & Co. Ltd.<br />
Tyldesley & Holbrook<br />
Tyne & Wear<br />
Wallis and Co. Ltd., Thomas<br />
Wanless & Co.<br />
Watson, Alec<br />
Webbers, J. & Sons<br />
Whitehall<br />
Wisbey, J., & Co.<br />
Wisden, John, & Co. Ltd.<br />
Witty, Henry<br />
Witty, Richard<br />
Wrinch & Sons<br />
Wortons<br />
109
Book of Tennis Rackets English Rackets<br />
New information:<br />
Alltree Bros.<br />
Shrewsbury<br />
England<br />
Company:<br />
In 1923 the company published a<br />
pamphlet on croquet equipment.<br />
Additional information to page 67:<br />
Atlas Mfg. Co.<br />
Rackets manufactured:<br />
From an auction catalogue, Morelle &<br />
Marchandet, Nov. 1996:<br />
c. 1910:<br />
Sultan, fantail handle<br />
Update<br />
Rackets in collections:<br />
A racket from this company was<br />
offered at an auction performed by<br />
Mullock Madeley in 2004 (Dr. H.<br />
Kerling).<br />
The A. B., concave wedge, elongated<br />
head, octagonal handle.<br />
Estimated 1923<br />
A.B. stands presumably for Alltree<br />
Bros.<br />
Additional information to page 64:<br />
Anderson, Anderson &<br />
Anderson<br />
c. 1925:<br />
From an auction catalogue, Mullock<br />
Madeley, Nov. 1998:<br />
The Star, fishtail handle, concave<br />
wedge<br />
The Corinthian, cellophane wrapped<br />
handle<br />
The Spartan, ditto<br />
The Viceroy, ditto<br />
From an ad in “Australian Lawn Tennis”<br />
July 31, 1926:<br />
1926:<br />
The Britwin, three-piece frame with<br />
mahogany insert and vellum binding<br />
on shoulders, deep grooves in<br />
wooden handle.<br />
From an ad in “Tennis and Golf in<br />
Australia”, Oct. 1. 1930.<br />
1930:<br />
The Swan, Model C, frame two-piece<br />
interlocked, faced with grey and blue<br />
vulcanised fibre, fitted with cedar handle.<br />
The Swan, Model R, frame two piece<br />
interlocked, faced with black<br />
vulcanised fibre, fitted with cane handle.<br />
Cross section of the frame illustrating<br />
the “Interlocking System”.<br />
Atlas: Imp, c. 1926<br />
Rackets in collections:<br />
A racket from this company was<br />
offered at an auction performed by<br />
Mullock Madeley in 2003 (Dr. H.<br />
Kerling).<br />
Surrey, concave wedge, regular<br />
handle convex wedge, fantail.<br />
c. 1929<br />
Ad in the booklet: Lawn Tennis by<br />
James Dwight, c. 1885<br />
Rackets in collections:<br />
(contributed by Dr Heiner Kerling)<br />
Imp, solid ash, concave, canvas and<br />
bindings around shoulders, fishtail<br />
handle.<br />
c. 1926<br />
Imp, laminated, concave, canvas or<br />
hide around shoulders, fishtail handle.<br />
c. 1934<br />
110
Book of Tennis Rackets English Rackets<br />
Additional information to page 65:<br />
Ardee<br />
England<br />
Company:<br />
R.D. & Co = Ar dee<br />
Rackets in collections:<br />
A racket from this company was<br />
offered at eBay Sept. 2008.<br />
Rownforth, convex wedge, fantail<br />
c 1910<br />
From TTC Summer 2007:<br />
Suzanne, concave, solid wood,<br />
bulbous handle. Produced by Ardee,<br />
Guaranteed Sports Goods. R. D. & Co.<br />
c. 1920<br />
New information:<br />
Austin, Frank<br />
England<br />
Company:<br />
No Information available.<br />
Rackets in collections:<br />
A racket from this company was<br />
offered at an auction performed by<br />
Mullock Madeley in 2004 (Dr. H.<br />
Kerling).<br />
Empire de Luxe, concave wedge,<br />
elongated head, regular grooved<br />
handle, leather collar and butt cap.<br />
Estimated mid 1920’s<br />
New information:<br />
Austin<br />
Proprietor F.A. Davis<br />
55, High St.<br />
London, W.C. 2<br />
Update<br />
Company:<br />
F.A. Davis was founded anew under<br />
the name Argus Sports Co. Ltd., in the<br />
early 1930’s.<br />
Where does ‘Austin’ fit in?<br />
Racket in the collection of Dr. H.<br />
Kerling:<br />
New information:<br />
Ashby<br />
England<br />
Company:<br />
No information available.<br />
From an eBay auction 2006:<br />
Austin: Austin, c. 1930<br />
Ashby: Premier, c. 1914<br />
111
Book of Tennis Rackets English Rackets<br />
Additional information to page 68/77<br />
(tables):<br />
Ayres F. H.<br />
An ad for Ayres’ tennis rackets<br />
appeared in the “Australian Lawn<br />
Tennis” magazine in February 27, 1926,<br />
which stated: 50 Years of Racket-<br />
Making – 1875 to today. Please change<br />
the suggested foundation year of the<br />
company from 1878 to 1875.<br />
From this ad:<br />
Rackets manufactured:<br />
1886:<br />
Triplex, already mentioned in the<br />
Ayres’ catalogue of 1886<br />
Volley<br />
Julian Marshall<br />
Zingari<br />
Union<br />
Central Strung<br />
Champion<br />
The remark in the table of “triple<br />
handled” refers to the handle. It can<br />
be fitted with “Cedar, Cork, or Fancy<br />
handle”.<br />
Hercules<br />
Chillion<br />
No. 00, already 1886, convex<br />
No. 0, ditto, convex<br />
No. 0, cedar handle, round face, convex<br />
No. 1, cedar handle, oval face, convex<br />
No. 2 to No. 6, all already 1886<br />
F. H. Ayres Superior, made to weight,<br />
already 1886<br />
Lawn tennis sets:<br />
The Registered Garden Seat, lawn<br />
tennis set. This lawn tennis set<br />
contains bats, balls, poles, net and all<br />
the requisites for the game, is fitted<br />
inside with rackets, &c., and forms an<br />
excellent seat for the lawn.<br />
Box in polished pine, grained oak,<br />
polished birch or polished mahogany.<br />
The Championship, lawn tennis set.<br />
This set contains four “Champion”<br />
rackets (in the Registered Garden Seat<br />
Box), twelve Championship Balls,<br />
twelve regulation plain India-rubber<br />
balls, two poles and net, guy ropes,<br />
pegs, hammer and drill, polished<br />
racket press, the new club scoring<br />
board, and the registered rotary court<br />
marker, in oak grained box, complete<br />
with rules.<br />
Note: The Championship set was also<br />
offered for two players.<br />
The Oxford and Cambridge, lawn<br />
tennis set. Contains four rackets, six<br />
covered and six plain balls, two painted<br />
poles, tanned net, lines and runners,<br />
hammer and drill, racket press, with<br />
rules, complete in polished and<br />
painted box.<br />
The Army and Navy, lawn tennis set.<br />
Contains four rackets, six covered and<br />
six plain balls, two painted poles,<br />
tanned net, lines and runners, hammer<br />
and drill, racket press, with rules, complete<br />
in polished and painted box.<br />
The Royal Artillery, lawn tennis set.<br />
Contains four rackets, six cloth covered<br />
and six plain India-rubber balls,<br />
two painted poles with spikes, tanned<br />
net, iron guy rods, hammer and drill,<br />
racket press, with rules, in polished<br />
and painted dovetailed box.<br />
From a catalogue from<br />
Josef Mühlhauser’s, Vienna,<br />
1902:<br />
Central Strung, oval frame<br />
Allen, ditto<br />
Special, ditto<br />
Youth racket, with no special name<br />
Children’s Racket, with no special<br />
name<br />
Sandown<br />
Handicap<br />
Champion<br />
From a description in “Lawn-Tennis<br />
Geräte, Sportjahrbuch für Österreich-<br />
Ungarn, 1903”:<br />
c.1902:<br />
Elongater, solid ash, convex.<br />
Maltrese, solid ash, convex.<br />
From an ad in “Hessen, Technik und<br />
Taktik des Lawn-Tennis Spieles, 1904”<br />
(Dr. H. Kerling).<br />
1904:<br />
F. H. Ayres Special P.P.<br />
From an ad in “Der Lawn-Tennis<br />
Sport”, Nr. 2, Jahrg. II, Berlin, 2. Feb.<br />
1905, page 18 (Dr. H. Kerling).<br />
1905:<br />
M.J.G. Ritchie<br />
Cavendish<br />
From a price list Küster Perry<br />
1910:<br />
S.N.D. (named after S.N. Doust,<br />
Australian tennis player, runner-up<br />
Wimbledon doubles 1909)<br />
c. 1920:<br />
Monitor<br />
Update<br />
Auction Mullock Madeley Dec. 2000:<br />
Matador, wavy wedge<br />
c. 1928<br />
From an auction catalogue, Mullock<br />
Madeley, Nov. 1998:<br />
1930’s:<br />
The Page Model B<br />
The following racket was offered for<br />
auction at eBay between 2000 and 2005<br />
(Dr. H. Kerling):<br />
SNV, solid ash, scored handle,<br />
reinforced shoulders, concave.<br />
c. 1930<br />
112
Book of Tennis Rackets English Rackets<br />
Update<br />
Lithography<br />
on the inside lid of a box “Army and Navy”<br />
Ad in<br />
Lawn-Tennis Geraete, Sportjahrbuch<br />
für Oesterreich-Ungarn, 1903<br />
The Zingari, the name of a famous<br />
English cricket club. Please note the<br />
“Z” in the stringing pattern<br />
113
Book of Tennis Rackets English Rackets<br />
New information:<br />
Baxendales & Co.<br />
Manchester<br />
Miller Street?<br />
Company:<br />
Probably a department store in<br />
Manchester which sold rackets with<br />
its own name.<br />
Rackets sold:<br />
From an auction catalogue, Mullock<br />
Madeley, May 1998.<br />
The Success, fishtail racket with convex<br />
wedge.<br />
c. 1920<br />
Additional information to page 97:<br />
Birmingham Aluminium Casting<br />
(1903) Ltd.<br />
Company:<br />
In the ad (c. 1926) shown on the right<br />
the company was referred to as:<br />
Birmal Rackets<br />
Dartmouth Road<br />
Smethwick<br />
Birmingham/England<br />
Update<br />
Additional information to page 94:<br />
Benetfink & Co.<br />
Rackets manufactured or<br />
distributed:<br />
1884: Wimbledon Hexagon<br />
(registered), with a unusual hexagonal<br />
stringing pattern. Introduced 1884.<br />
1890:<br />
Triumph, convex<br />
1910:<br />
Special Club, oval face, convex<br />
Ad in “Lawn Tennis”, a book<br />
by Mrs. L.A. Godfree,<br />
Ward, Lock & Co., Limited,<br />
London and Melbourne, c. 1926<br />
Rackets in collections:<br />
The following racket was offered for<br />
auction at eBay between 2000 and 2005<br />
(Dr. H. Kerling):<br />
Triumph, solid ash, convex, scored<br />
handle.<br />
c. 1920<br />
114
Book of Tennis Rackets English Rackets<br />
New information:<br />
Browne & Heppell<br />
England<br />
Rackets in collections:<br />
Prince of Wales<br />
c. 1910<br />
(Dr. H. Kerling)<br />
Additional information to page 101:<br />
Buchanan Ltd.,<br />
215, Piccadilly<br />
London W.<br />
Rackets manufactured:<br />
from an ‘Illustrated Price List’ of the<br />
company<br />
c. 1895:<br />
Horace Bayley bat, with tight stringing<br />
Buchanan, the<br />
Burlington, the<br />
Duplex, the<br />
Imperial, the<br />
Update<br />
Additional information to page 101:<br />
Bryan, Frank<br />
Address given in the ad of 1902:<br />
3, Bayer Street, Golden Lane, London,<br />
E.C.<br />
Company:<br />
Frank Bryan, an athletic goods<br />
manufacturer based in London,<br />
applied for a patent of a bat for table<br />
tennis with India rubber covering on<br />
December 11, 1901.<br />
“I have discovered that a bat which<br />
has its face covered with a thin sheet<br />
of India rubber, causes a great<br />
improvement in the play, and enables<br />
the player to get a greater amount of<br />
‘screw’ motion on the ball during its<br />
flight. According to this invention, I<br />
make bats, preferably of wood, with<br />
the faces covered with rubber.”<br />
An early ad from a 1902 book shows<br />
the Frank Bryan rubber faced Atropos<br />
(literally ‘no turn’) Table Tennis Bat.<br />
Rackets in collections:<br />
Delta, fishtail handle<br />
c. 1891<br />
(Dr. H. Kerling)<br />
Browne & Heppell: Prince of Wales<br />
c. 1910. Photograph Dr. H. Kerling<br />
The following racket was offered for<br />
auction at eBay between 2000 and 2005<br />
(Dr. H. Kerling):<br />
F.B. fishtail, concave wedge.<br />
c. 1925<br />
Comment: F.B. for Frank Bryan<br />
Bryan: Table Tennis Bat, 1902<br />
115
Book of Tennis Rackets English Rackets<br />
Additional information to pages 102/<br />
106:<br />
Bussey Geo G. & Co. Ltd.<br />
Please add to page 102, Company:<br />
Excerpt from the book<br />
Racket Sports Collectibles, by Robert<br />
T. Everitt, Schiffer Publishing Ltd.,<br />
2002, page 145 (in parenthesis):<br />
“George Gibson Bussey was born in<br />
1829. When he was 25 he worked as a<br />
saddler in Holborn, London. In 1867<br />
he built a ‘Museum of Fire Arms’. This<br />
is why Bussey’s business address<br />
included the words ‘the Museum<br />
Works’. In 1877 he registered his trade<br />
mark GGB with an arrow passing<br />
through them. It was used over fifty<br />
years.”<br />
It is assumed that Bussey started to<br />
manufacture lawn tennis rackets<br />
(along with other sporting goods of<br />
all kinds) in 1880 following his granted<br />
patent No. 34 of the same year<br />
(described in the ‘book’ on page 103).<br />
Please add the rackets below to the<br />
table on page 106:<br />
1880:<br />
Royal Tennis Set, the<br />
a complete set with rackets, net, posts<br />
etc. in a wooden box.<br />
c. 1897:<br />
Tournament, the<br />
Expert, the<br />
c. 1898:<br />
Special Club, solid frame, convex<br />
wedge, cedar shingles, octagonal<br />
handle.<br />
c. 1900:<br />
Alert, ditto<br />
1902:<br />
Elite, ditto<br />
c. 1920:<br />
Winner, solid frame, wavy wedge<br />
(convex/concave), octagonal handle.<br />
c. 1925:<br />
Tournament 3, wavy wedge, oval,<br />
fishtail handle of the ‘ball-tail’ type).<br />
c. 1927:<br />
Olympic 1, The, concave, inlaid cork<br />
handle (‘Tensive grip’), laminated<br />
around wedge (probably hide).<br />
c. 1928:<br />
Rival, the, convex, combed handle,<br />
cord bindings around shoulders,<br />
between wedge and frame a thin dark<br />
wooden layer.<br />
Geo G. Bussey Net Wholesale List<br />
1901:<br />
Nightingale’s Patent Racket<br />
Sandringham, barrel shaped handle,<br />
extra close strung.<br />
Smasher, please add ‘at least made<br />
until 1902’.<br />
Ventilated Holdfast (Lunn’s Patent),<br />
please add ‘at least made until 1902’.<br />
c.1925:<br />
Double Main 5, oval, wavy wedge.<br />
From a catalogue issued from Lloyd<br />
and Lloyd, Ironmongers, Newtown,<br />
Wales:<br />
1927:<br />
Demon Driver 1, with wave shaped<br />
profile wedge similar to the ‘Winner’,<br />
inlaid cork handle (‘Tensive grip’),<br />
individually numbered on side.<br />
Rackets in collections:<br />
A racket from this company was<br />
offered at an auction performed by<br />
Christie’s in 2000 (Dr. H. Kerling).<br />
Varsity, wavy walnut concave wedge,<br />
scored, octagonal handle.<br />
c. 1912<br />
The following rackets were offered for<br />
auction at eBay between 2000 and 2005<br />
(Dr. H. Kerling):<br />
Double Main B, convex, solid ash,<br />
deeply grooved handle.<br />
c. 19<strong>22</strong><br />
Premier, convex, solid ash, deeply<br />
grooved handle.<br />
c. 19<strong>22</strong><br />
Auction 2004 (Kerling).<br />
Champion Light, concave, grooved<br />
handle.<br />
c.1923<br />
Auction Dec. 2000:<br />
Crown Winner, neck band, smooth<br />
handle<br />
c. 1927<br />
eBay auction 2006:<br />
Diamond, with bulbous fishtail handle<br />
c. 1900<br />
The Luss, with cork inlaid handle<br />
c. 19<strong>22</strong><br />
Bussey: Winner, c. 1920<br />
courtesy Dr. H. Kerling<br />
New information:<br />
Craske & Smith<br />
‘The Sports Specialist’<br />
189-191 Cleethorpe Rd.<br />
Grimsby<br />
England<br />
Update<br />
Rackets in collections:<br />
Super Crasmith, oval, concave,<br />
laminated, with shoulder wrappings.<br />
Combed wooden handle.<br />
c. 1935<br />
Additional information to page 109:<br />
G. H. Cleave & Sons<br />
Rackets in collections:<br />
From an auction catalogue<br />
County, convex wedge<br />
early 1920’s<br />
New information:<br />
Clark, E<br />
England or USA<br />
Rackets in collections:<br />
A tear drop shaped racket was offered<br />
at eBay in 2006 stamped with the name<br />
E. Clark with an eagle below. Estimated<br />
1890.<br />
116
Book of Tennis Rackets English Rackets<br />
Additional information to page 109:<br />
Clapshaw & Cleave Ltd.<br />
(Late Hawcridge?)<br />
Edmund St.<br />
Birmingham/England<br />
Company:<br />
A well known sports manufacturer in<br />
England. The company, first called<br />
‘Clapshaw’ and then ‘Clapshaw &<br />
Cleave’, was formed in Birmingham in<br />
1876. Their main products were cricket<br />
bats and tennis rackets which they<br />
made for almost a century.<br />
Reference: The Tennis Collector, No.<br />
46, 2002, page 8, “Bustin’ Your Gut”,<br />
by Sue Elks<br />
Ace, solid frame, mahogany heart,<br />
cedar shingles, combed fishtail<br />
handle.<br />
c. 1929<br />
The following racket was offered for<br />
auction at eBay between 2000 and 2005<br />
(Dr. H. Kerling):<br />
Eclipse, fishtail handle with deep<br />
central groove, convex wedge. Solid<br />
ash.<br />
c. 1910<br />
Update<br />
Rackets manufactured:<br />
c. 1929:<br />
O.F.A., oak, fibre and ash frame with<br />
vellum pigskin shoulder reinforcement.<br />
Selected rackets from collections:<br />
Clapshaw & Cleave, flat-topped,<br />
convex.<br />
c. 1895<br />
A racket from this company was<br />
offered at an auction performed by<br />
Mullock Madeley in 2004 (Dr. H.<br />
Kerling).<br />
Windsor, fantail, spliced convex<br />
wedge.<br />
c. 1905<br />
Clapsaw & Cleave: Ace, c. 1929<br />
New information:<br />
Collard<br />
Grantham/England<br />
Rackets in collections:<br />
Collard, oval, convex, fishtail handle.<br />
c. 19<strong>22</strong><br />
New information:<br />
Cosmos MFG., Co.<br />
London<br />
England<br />
eBay 2008:<br />
Cosmos, c. 1920<br />
sold by:<br />
Mühlhauser Nachfolger, Wien,<br />
Kärtnerstrar. 28<br />
Cosmos: Cosmos, c. 1920<br />
117
Book of Tennis Rackets English Rackets<br />
New information:<br />
Cook’s Athletic Co. (1907) Ltd.<br />
The Corinthian Sports Depot<br />
Beech Street House<br />
London/England<br />
Update<br />
Company:<br />
Dealer of all high class sporting goods.<br />
Rackets distributed:<br />
From a German ad in “Fichard, Lawn-<br />
Tennis Jahrbuch, 1909”:<br />
1909:<br />
Corinthian, solid ash, convex, cord<br />
bindings at shoulders.<br />
Additional information to page 112:<br />
P. B. Cow & Co.<br />
Manufacturers<br />
London<br />
England<br />
Racket in the collection of Dr. Heiner<br />
Kerling:<br />
Club, the, solid ash frame, mahogany<br />
heart, cedar shingles, fishtail handle.<br />
c. 1898<br />
eBay auction 2007:<br />
Red Cross, slightly convex wedge,<br />
c. 1920<br />
New information:<br />
Crawfords<br />
England<br />
Company:<br />
Manufacturer of tennis rackets and<br />
probably also sporting goods dealer.<br />
Rackets in collections:<br />
A racket from this company was<br />
offered at an auction performed by<br />
Christie’s in 2005 (Dr. H. Kerling).<br />
Exceller, spliced wedge, reinforced<br />
shoulders, barrel grip with rounded<br />
butt. Manufactured by Crawfords for<br />
John Wisden.<br />
c. 1921<br />
Additional information to page110:<br />
Cubbett, James, Ltd.<br />
151 Park Rd.<br />
London N.W.B.<br />
England<br />
(please amend the spelling of the<br />
company)<br />
The following racket was offered for<br />
auction at eBay between 2000 and 2005<br />
(Dr. H. Kerling):<br />
Royal Blue, laminated frame, concave,<br />
two bindings at reinforced shoulders.<br />
Inscription on racket: Mfg. by James<br />
Cubbett Ltd., 151 Park Rd., London<br />
N.W.B.<br />
c. 1930<br />
Cow: The Club, c. 1898<br />
118
Book of Tennis Rackets English Rackets<br />
Additional information to page 115:<br />
Davis Ltd., F.A.<br />
Racket in the collection of Dr. H.<br />
Kerling:<br />
Rex, solid ash frame, mahogany heart,<br />
cedar shingles, fishtail handle.<br />
c. 1898<br />
Rackets manufactured:<br />
From a price list Küster Perry 1910:<br />
Risely Hexagon<br />
(1902 and 1906 Frank. Riseley<br />
Wimbledon doubles champion)<br />
Update<br />
Additional information to page 123:<br />
Denyer Ltd., L. G.<br />
location of the small factory:<br />
Walthamstow<br />
East London<br />
England<br />
Company:<br />
In the 1940’s and 50’s the company<br />
made wooden rackets and also strung<br />
them.<br />
The company went out of business in<br />
the 70’s when wood went out of<br />
fashion.<br />
From an ad in “Tennis & Sport”, 1925,<br />
Heft 23.<br />
1925:<br />
Riseley<br />
Hexagon<br />
Argus<br />
Corinthian<br />
Knight<br />
Pioneer<br />
Racket in the collection of Dr. H.<br />
Kerling:<br />
Rex, solid ash frame, mahogany heart,<br />
cedar shingles, fishtail handle.<br />
c. 1898<br />
Rackets manufactured:<br />
From a price list Küster Perry 1910:<br />
Risely Hexagon<br />
(1902 and 1906 Frank. Riseley<br />
Wimbledon doubles champion)<br />
Davis F.A.: Rex<br />
From an ad in “Tennis & Sport”, 1925,<br />
Heft 23.<br />
1925:<br />
Riseley<br />
Hexagon<br />
Argus<br />
Corinthian<br />
Knight<br />
Pioneer<br />
eBay auction 2006:<br />
Club, c. 1900<br />
Victoria, with fantail handle and<br />
concave wedge<br />
c. 1905<br />
Additional information to page 113:<br />
Davenport, J.<br />
20 Eldon Street,<br />
London, E.C.<br />
From an Ad in Lawn Tennis by H. W.<br />
W. Wilberforce 1895:<br />
1895:<br />
The Youth’s<br />
Junior<br />
City<br />
Match<br />
Finsbury<br />
Eldon<br />
Champion<br />
Special<br />
New information:<br />
Daft, R.<br />
1 Lister Gate<br />
Nottingham<br />
England<br />
Company:<br />
Probably one of the oldest<br />
English manufacturers of<br />
tennis rackets.<br />
Lopsided Lawn Tennis Racket by R. Daft, c. 1870.<br />
The cross stringing is over-strung and inter-looped with a second string. The first lawn<br />
tennis rackets derived their shape from the Real Tennis racket which is lopsided. The<br />
tear drop shape was developed to maximize the strung area on a racket head that had<br />
to be small to minimize warping.<br />
Courtesy: Manfred Schotten,<br />
„The Captain‘s Kit Bag,<br />
Antiques Exhibition“.<br />
Estimated: Euro 5000 in 2008<br />
119
Book of Tennis Rackets English Rackets<br />
Additional information to page 136:<br />
Douglas<br />
London<br />
Update<br />
Company:<br />
Dr. Kerling presumes that rackets with<br />
the Douglas name (or imprint) were<br />
only distributed in Germany between<br />
1880 and 1900. He could not find<br />
(neither did I) any traces (also no ads)<br />
of such rackets in England where they<br />
were made. Maybe another collector<br />
can help?<br />
Could it be that a known English<br />
company made them only for the<br />
German market?<br />
In the collection of Dr. Kerling:<br />
Douglas London, 100<br />
The Club, 105 (two with different<br />
appearance)<br />
Offered at eBay 2007:<br />
Douglas Derby, c. 1905<br />
First of this model in the collection:<br />
Douglas The Club 105, c. 1895, courtesy Dr. Kerling<br />
The Club 105 is engraved at the top-rim. Flat-top racket.<br />
Bulbous almost spherical at the end of the handle. On its<br />
side engraved: “631”(production number?). At butt end<br />
“4”. Weight: 13 ½ oz.<br />
Douglas London 100, c. 1890, courtesy Dr. Kerling<br />
Rounded handle. The number 100 is engraved at the<br />
top-rim. Weight 12 oz.<br />
Second of this model in the collection:<br />
Douglas The Club 105, c. 1890, courtesy Dr. Kerling<br />
The Club 105 is engraved at the top-rim. Narrow-headed<br />
racket. On its side engraved: “571” (production number?).<br />
Weight: 14 oz.<br />
120
Book of Tennis Rackets English Rackets<br />
Additional information to page 138:<br />
Dunlop<br />
Great Britain<br />
Most of this information (in German)<br />
and all photos were provided by Dr.<br />
Kerling.<br />
Rackets in the collection of Dr. Kerling<br />
to be added to the tables pages 145 to 148.<br />
Dragon racket series<br />
c. 1935:<br />
Gold Dragon Fly<br />
The Blue Dragon Fly<br />
The Red Dragon Fly<br />
Flash racket series<br />
c. 1934:<br />
Blue Flash<br />
Green Flash<br />
Flash<br />
Red Flash<br />
Matchpoint<br />
Ambassador<br />
Blue Royal<br />
Blue Star<br />
Britannia<br />
Diplomat<br />
D’line 101 (D 101)<br />
D’line 202 International<br />
Francoise Durr<br />
Impera<br />
Kings Cup<br />
Maxfiber<br />
One shaft<br />
Reaction<br />
Starter<br />
Superb<br />
Three Crown<br />
TS<br />
Update<br />
Rackets described in auctions:<br />
Auction Mullock Madeley Dec. 2000:<br />
Alpha<br />
c. 1935<br />
eBay auction 2007:<br />
Alpha. c. 1958<br />
Auction Mullock Madeley Dec. 2002:<br />
Red Eagle<br />
c. 1935<br />
Matchpoint Continental Model c. 1975<br />
Matchpoint c. 1975<br />
Matchpoint Continental Model Dunlop tennis balls 1936<br />
121
Book of Tennis Rackets English Rackets<br />
Update<br />
Dunlop Maxply racket<br />
The most famous racket ever made and more often copied than any other one was the Dunlop Maxply. It was the „Non-<br />
Plus-Ultra“ for serious players as well as champions for many decades. It was made over a period of 50 years from 1933<br />
to 1983 and it is calculated that more than 10 million have been sold worldwide. Rod Laver has won the Grand Slam<br />
1962 with this racket and McEnroe won Wimbledon and the US-Open in 1981almost 20 years later. Many model<br />
variations were made: Maxply, Maxply Fort, Maxply Super Fort, Superlight, Maxply Fort Bihander, Maxply Tournament<br />
etc. Also autograph rackets were offered: e.g. John McEnroe, Lew Hoad, Heinz Günthardt, Hans-Jürgen Pohmann.<br />
Maxply Dunlop Fort c. 1935<br />
Maxply Dunlop c. 1960<br />
Maxply Dunlop<br />
Tournament Model<br />
Maxply Dunlop Fort<br />
Hanne Nüsslein, 3 time world<br />
champion, used this particular<br />
Maxply shown.<br />
Maxply Tournament c. 1977<br />
1<strong>22</strong>
Book of Tennis Rackets English Rackets<br />
Update<br />
Maxply Fort c. 1960<br />
Maxply Super Fort c. 1977<br />
Maxply McEnroe c1983<br />
Maxply McEnroe Mid<br />
c. 1983<br />
Maxply Superlight c. 1980<br />
Maxply Tournament c. 1970<br />
123
Book of Tennis Rackets English Rackets<br />
Update<br />
Dunlop: Gold Dragon Fly, c. 1936<br />
Dragon Fly rackets<br />
Dr. H. Kerling considers the Dragon<br />
Fly rackets as his favourites in his<br />
collection along with the Gardner<br />
Blue Dragon Fly racket.<br />
Remark by the author: The beauty of<br />
the “Dragon Fly”- Rackets, especially<br />
the picture of the fly itself, make these<br />
rackets unique and exceptional. They<br />
are hard to find. It may well be<br />
assumed that they will be much<br />
sought for by collectors in the future<br />
and they might have the potential to<br />
become “cult rackets” much like the<br />
Hazell’s “Streamline”-Rackets.<br />
Dunlop: Red Dragon Fly, c. 1936<br />
Dunlop:Blue Dragon Fly, c. 1936<br />
124
Book of Tennis Rackets English Rackets<br />
New information:<br />
Eland<br />
England<br />
This company made at one time tennis<br />
rackets.<br />
At an auction at eBay between 2000 and<br />
2005 small corked bottles in a box were<br />
offered containing “Gut Reviver” and<br />
“Preservative” (some kind of impregnating<br />
oil).<br />
The sides of the box have the<br />
following inscriptions: “The real joy<br />
of tennis comes with an Eland racket”<br />
and “Gold Eland tennis balls with the<br />
everlasting bounce.” The logo of the<br />
company appears to be an Antelope’s<br />
head.<br />
Please refer also to Lugard & Pulman<br />
who sold the Eland Moth racket.<br />
Update<br />
Additional information to page 153:<br />
Elvery & Co., J.W.<br />
Rackets in collections:<br />
A racket of this company was offered<br />
at an auction performed by Christie’s<br />
in 1989 (Dr. H. Kerling).<br />
Rival, convex wedge<br />
c. 1914<br />
The following racket was offered for<br />
auction at eBay between 2000 and<br />
2005 (Dr. H. Kerling):<br />
Rival, the, solid ash, scored handle ,<br />
convex wedge.<br />
c. 1914<br />
Elvery: The Rival, c. 1914<br />
125
Book of Tennis Rackets English Rackets<br />
New information:<br />
Evertawt, Willmar<br />
21 Jewin Crescent<br />
London/England<br />
Racket in the collection of Dr. H.<br />
Kerling:<br />
Willmar Evertawt Racket, the,<br />
c. 1927<br />
The Willmar Evertawt Racket c. 1927<br />
Feltham: No. 2, lopsided racket with<br />
heraldic figure, c. 1878<br />
Additional information to page 157:<br />
Feltham & Co.<br />
Investigations into the company by<br />
Michael Searle led to the following<br />
new and additional information in Aug.<br />
2002:<br />
Company:<br />
‘The Red Book of Commerce 1906’,<br />
states that Joseph Feltham’s firm was<br />
established in 1833, however, he was<br />
first known as a glover and a hosier.<br />
2 Barbican, first appeared in the ‘Post<br />
Office London directory’ in 1849. By<br />
1851 he is shown as a glove<br />
manufacturer and by 1861 the firm first<br />
appeared as Joseph Feltham & Co. at<br />
2 and 3 Barbican with a long<br />
description beginning “wholesale and<br />
export, makers of every requisite for<br />
archery, cricketing & fencing...”<br />
Further searches in the directories<br />
found the following addresses:<br />
1865:<br />
7 & 8 Aldersgate Street (late of 2 & 3<br />
Barbican)<br />
1875:<br />
64 Aldersgate Street<br />
1883:<br />
City Steam Works, 52 Little Britain,<br />
and 64 Aldersgate Street<br />
1900:<br />
47 Wilson Street, 54 & 55 Aldersgate<br />
Street, and Steam Manufactory,<br />
Burwood Place, Edgeware Road<br />
1906:<br />
72 Lower Thames Street<br />
1908:<br />
3 Long Lane, Aldersgate Street<br />
From 1911 through to 1919 no further<br />
entries appear suggesting that they<br />
ceased trading in 1911.<br />
Patents:<br />
Please refer also to the section on<br />
English Patents in this Update.<br />
1883<br />
No. 2954<br />
Date of application: 14th June, 1883<br />
Accepted same date.<br />
Lawn Tennis Bats<br />
Abstract:<br />
The object of this invention is to impart<br />
additional strength to a lawn tennis<br />
bat combined with increased lightness<br />
and resiliency...<br />
Inventor: Albert Joseph Altman,<br />
Aldersgate, London<br />
Remark: Investigations conducted by<br />
Update<br />
M.G. Searle revealed that Percy A.<br />
Altman together with A.W. Boyle were<br />
principals of Feltham in 1906. It is<br />
tempting to assume that Percy was<br />
Albert’s son.<br />
Rackets in collections:<br />
Collection Michael Searle:<br />
c. 1883:<br />
Resolute, mahogany wedge,<br />
impressed in black a coat of arms<br />
having the motto of the ‘Order of the<br />
Garter’ with the Lion and the Unicorn<br />
and the words “Feltham Patent London”<br />
then the above mentioned Patent<br />
Number 2954. Laminated frame<br />
in three layers probably ash/cane/ash.<br />
Collection S.Kuebler:<br />
c. 1878:<br />
No. 2, convex mahogany wedge,<br />
impressed is a heraldic figure,<br />
presumably showing a Lion and an<br />
Unicorn with a Coat of Arms. Lopsided<br />
racket, about 10°. Solid ash frame,<br />
edges rounded. Rounded grip<br />
coverings made of fine-grained pine.<br />
c. 1900:<br />
Prince of Wales, slightly flat topped.<br />
Convex. Shoulders canvas wrapped.<br />
Walnut heart. Pine grip coverings.<br />
Combed. Butt leather. Brass screw.<br />
Collection Rolf Jaeger Tennis Heritage<br />
Museum shown on page 635 in the<br />
book.<br />
c. 1878:<br />
Henry V<br />
(Henry V, King of England 1387 - 14<strong>22</strong>.<br />
Also Shakespeare’s play Henry V).<br />
The Gurney Collection:<br />
c. 1885 (Patent)<br />
Feltham - London, flat top, barley twist<br />
handle.<br />
“barley twist”<br />
126
Book of Tennis Rackets English Rackets<br />
Collection Dr. Kerling:<br />
c. 1879:<br />
Alexandra, small oval head, convex<br />
wedge, slightly lopsided.<br />
(Alexandra of Denmark 1844 – 1925<br />
was Queen Consort to Edward VII of<br />
the United Kingdom. Prior to that, she<br />
was Princess of Wales from 1863 to<br />
1901. From 1910, until her death, she<br />
was the Queen Mother, being a queen<br />
and the mother of the reigning<br />
monarch, George V of the United<br />
Kingdom, though she was more<br />
generally styled "Her Majesty Queen<br />
Feltham: The Alexandra with the coat<br />
of arm of the Prince of Wales, c. 1879<br />
A close look at the photo below reveals<br />
the German words: ICH DIEN, I serve.<br />
Alexandra".)<br />
The Prince of Wales's feathers is the<br />
heraldic badge of the Prince of Wales.<br />
It consists of three white feathers<br />
emerging from a gold coronet. A<br />
ribbon below the coronet bears the<br />
motto Ich dien.<br />
The badge is thought to have<br />
originated with Edward, the Black<br />
Prince, the eldest son of Edward III of<br />
England. According to legend, the<br />
Black Prince obtained the arms from<br />
the blind John I of Bohemia, against<br />
whom he fought in the Battle of Crécy<br />
Update<br />
in 1346. After the battle, the prince<br />
went to the body of the dead king<br />
(whom he admired for his bravery) and<br />
took his helmet, lined with ostrich<br />
feathers. The feathers and the dead<br />
king's motto made up the prince's new<br />
badge and came to be used by<br />
subsequent Princes of Wales.<br />
Excerpt from http://en.wikipedia.org/<br />
wiki/Prince_of_Wales's_feathers<br />
Rackets manufactured:<br />
Please amend and/or add:<br />
1879:<br />
St. James<br />
A lopsided racket ‘St. James’,<br />
(estimated 1879) with the stamped on<br />
trade mark: “Three Feathers of the<br />
Prince of Wales” and the number “3”<br />
was put up for auction on eBay, May<br />
2001. In fair condition it was sold for<br />
$ 3.383.-<br />
(St. James Palace was commissioned<br />
by Henry VIII, on the site of a former<br />
leper hospital dedicated to Saint James<br />
the Less. The hospital was disbanded<br />
in 1532. The new palace, secondary in<br />
interest to Henry's Whitehall Palace,<br />
was constructed in the red-brick Tudor<br />
style around four courtyards: its<br />
gatehouse survives on the north side,<br />
flanked by polygonal turrets. It<br />
became the principal residence of the<br />
monarch in London from 1698, when<br />
Whitehall Palace was destroyed by<br />
fire, and became the administrative<br />
centre of the monarchy, a role it still<br />
retains.)<br />
Eton<br />
(Named in reminiscence to one of<br />
England's largest independent<br />
secondary schools and one of the<br />
highest in prestige. It was founded by<br />
Henry VI in 1440–41 for 70 highly<br />
qualified boys who received<br />
scholarships from a fund endowed by<br />
the king. Simultaneously, Henry<br />
founded King's College, Cambridge,<br />
to which scholars from Eton were to<br />
proceed.)<br />
Marylebone<br />
Lopsided, with the heraldic figure<br />
“Feathers of the Prince of Wales”<br />
similar to the one on the Alexandra<br />
racket.<br />
127
Book of Tennis Rackets English Rackets<br />
(Named in reminiscence to the<br />
Marylebone Cricket Club - MCC -,<br />
founded in 1787.)<br />
c. 1888:<br />
Demotic, identical to the Slazenger<br />
Demon, with the typical fishtail grip.<br />
1889:<br />
Special, a copy of the Demon Racket<br />
of Slazengers.<br />
Tournament, very close stringing.<br />
1903:<br />
Champion<br />
Miscellanies<br />
An interesting court ruling:<br />
In 1889 Slazenger & Sons sued Feltham<br />
& Co. for infringement of their Trade<br />
Mark “Demon” since Feltham used<br />
the name “Demotic” for one of its<br />
rackets (Slazenger & Sons v. Feltham<br />
& Co (1889) 6 RPC 531).<br />
“There the plaintiff’s goods were<br />
marked The Demon and were known<br />
as Demon racquets. The defendant<br />
made an identical racquet. The<br />
defendant admitted looking through a<br />
dictionary for the entry Demon and<br />
wanted to see how near he could go to<br />
that word without actually taking it.<br />
He came upon Demotic and adopted<br />
that word. It had been argued that<br />
Demon described a particular kind of<br />
racquet. If that was so, the court asked,<br />
rhetorically, how could Demotic<br />
describe that particular kind of<br />
racquet? The court concluded that<br />
the defendant’s motive was not to<br />
describe a particular kind of racquet<br />
but to go as closely as he thought he<br />
could safely go to the plaintiff’s<br />
established trade mark. It is in that<br />
context that the court said that if, in<br />
Update<br />
the exercise of common sense there<br />
was an intention to deceive, why<br />
should the court not credit with<br />
occasional success that which the<br />
defendant was straining every nerve<br />
to do.“<br />
This court ruling has been quoted in<br />
similar cases in Great Britain and many<br />
Commonwealth Countries over a<br />
hundred years until today over and<br />
over again.<br />
Feltham: Ad for tennis balls, c. 1895<br />
Feltham: Climax Lawn Tennis Bat<br />
and Climax Lawn Tennis Balls, c.<br />
1890<br />
128
Book of Tennis Rackets English Rackets<br />
Additional information to page 167:<br />
Forrester & Sons<br />
Additional information to page 168:<br />
Fortnam, Forrester & Co.<br />
Update<br />
eBay 2008:<br />
c. 1900<br />
Close Strung<br />
The Pilot<br />
Racket in the collection of Dr. H.<br />
Kerling:<br />
Unicorn, solid ash, mahogany wedge,<br />
fishtail handle, slightly flat-topped.<br />
c. 1892<br />
Please note: Only the name Fortnam<br />
appears on the racket. Forrester is not<br />
mentioned.<br />
For sale listed in an auction catalogue<br />
from Christie’s, July 5, 2005:<br />
Fortnam racket, flat-top<br />
c. 1890<br />
Forrester & Sons: The Pilot, reg., c.<br />
1900, with fishtail handle<br />
eBay 2008<br />
From an ad in “The Laws of Lawn<br />
Tennis”, Cricket Press Series,<br />
1921:<br />
Hexagon<br />
latest model with hollow wedge and<br />
cane insert.<br />
Emperor, frame chamfered on the<br />
inside.<br />
Auction Mullock Madeley Dec. 2000:<br />
Sovereign Hexagon<br />
c. 1925<br />
Additional information to page 167:<br />
Forrester, George<br />
Fortnam: Unicorn c. 1892<br />
Company:<br />
George Forrester was a golf club<br />
maker. The two villages Elie and<br />
Earlsferry merged in 1930. They are<br />
situated about ten miles south of St.<br />
Andrews (Scotland), the Mecca of<br />
golfing. The company existed at least<br />
until 1919. There are no clues that<br />
George Forrester had any relations to<br />
Forrester & Sons of London (above).<br />
129
Book of Tennis Rackets English Rackets<br />
New information :<br />
Fox, T. , & Co. Ltd.<br />
sold to R. J. Royal & Sons Ltd. in 2000<br />
England<br />
Update<br />
Company:<br />
Makers of the famous Samuel Fox<br />
Umbrellas.<br />
In 1868, Mr. Thomas Fox opened a<br />
shop in the city of London, to sell<br />
such necessities. Some 12 years later<br />
he sold the shop bearing his name to<br />
Samuel Dixon, the grandfather of June<br />
Dixon, who become the owner of the<br />
company until 1899.<br />
In the 1880’s a major change in the<br />
manufacturing process took place with<br />
the introduction of steel umbrella<br />
frames, invented by Samuel Fox. Mr.<br />
Dixon at this time was planning to<br />
expand the manufacturing and repair<br />
trade of his retail shop in the city of<br />
London and perceived that the new<br />
steel ribs were a great improvement on<br />
the old whalebone frames.<br />
In the late 40’s /early 50’s the company<br />
decided to diversify into another area<br />
of consumer goods and started to<br />
produce tennis rackets.<br />
However, not many were made and<br />
sold.<br />
References:<br />
http://www.rjroyal.com/history<br />
Samuel Fox: Silver Fox, c. 1950<br />
Additional information to page170:<br />
Frema<br />
Probably England<br />
Rackets in collections:<br />
(Dr. H. Kerling)<br />
Fox<br />
Estimated 1933<br />
Patent:<br />
The seller of the Silver Fox on eBay<br />
claimed that a patent was issued with<br />
the number GB 5<strong>22</strong><strong>22</strong>2.<br />
However, no such patent or design<br />
patent exists.<br />
Rackets manufactured:<br />
eBay auction, Aug. 2000, “Scarce early<br />
Samuel Fox Tennis Racket”.<br />
c. 1950:<br />
Silver Fox, metal head, open heart<br />
with a throat bridge of metal, wooden<br />
handle attached.<br />
Frema: Fox, c. 1933<br />
(Photographs Dr. H. Kerling)<br />
130
Book of Tennis Rackets English Rackets<br />
Additional information to page 172:<br />
Gamage, Ltd., A.W.<br />
From an ad in “The Laws of Lawn<br />
Tennis”, Cricket Press Series,<br />
1921:<br />
The 1921 Model<br />
Rackets in collections:<br />
S.N.D., the, (named after Stanley<br />
Doust), solid ash, concave, chamfered<br />
on the inside head, combed handle.<br />
c. 1925<br />
Auction at Christie’s 2002:<br />
Fishtail, concave wedge, tapered<br />
shoulders, deep grooved handle.<br />
c. 19<strong>22</strong><br />
Ariel, concave wedge, with red cord<br />
trim, octagonal handle.<br />
c. 1928<br />
Auction at Mullock Madeley 2000:<br />
Riseley Hexagon, bevelled head.<br />
c. 1928<br />
Auction at Mullock Madeley 2004:<br />
Update<br />
Additional information to page 175:<br />
Gardiner Bros.<br />
Rackets in collections:<br />
The Association No. 3, solid ash frame<br />
with mahogany heart and cedar shingles,<br />
“Demon” type handle.<br />
c. 1905<br />
Auction at Mullock Madeley 2004:<br />
Lily, the, fantail, convex wedge.<br />
c. 1912<br />
eBay 2007:<br />
The Conqueror, Special<br />
c. 1912<br />
Paragon, barrel handle.<br />
c. 1912<br />
New information:<br />
Gardner<br />
Waltham Abbey<br />
Great Britain<br />
Company:<br />
This company appears on a racket in<br />
the possession of Dr. H. Kerling. Its<br />
Trade Mark shows a bulldog with a<br />
racket in his mouth. It probably should<br />
not be confused with Gardner Bros.<br />
dealt with on page 175 of the original<br />
book. Another curiosity is the emblem<br />
of a blue dragonfly which was used<br />
identically by Dunlop during the same<br />
period in the mid 30’s. Dr. Kerling<br />
suggests that the racket was made by<br />
Dunlop.<br />
Pictures provided by Dr. H. Kerling.<br />
Dr. H. Kerling considers this racket<br />
as one of his favourites in his<br />
collection along with the Dragon Fly<br />
Dunlop rackets.<br />
On the backside of the heart section:<br />
Hobday Bros. Ltd.,<br />
probably the name of the store , where<br />
the racket was sold.<br />
Reg. Trade Mark Britain’s Best<br />
Gardner (Waltham Abbey):<br />
The Blue Dragon Fly, c. 1937<br />
131<br />
Trade Mark Reg. No. 438035
Book of Tennis Rackets English Rackets<br />
Additional information to page 179:<br />
Gradidge & Sons<br />
From the ad (c. 1926) on the right:<br />
Head Office:<br />
Artillery Place<br />
Woolwich, S.E. 18<br />
England<br />
Factories: Woolwich, Tonbridge & Bolton<br />
Update<br />
Company:<br />
Manufacturers of all requisites for Lawn Tennis, Cricket, Badminton,<br />
etc, etc.<br />
‘We are the sole makers of the World Famous “Imperial Driver”<br />
Cricket Bats, Patent No. 29207.’<br />
Rackets manufactured:<br />
Taken from the ad (c. 1926) on the right side:<br />
1926:<br />
Perfex<br />
H.J.G.<br />
Imperial Driver<br />
Regal<br />
Balls:<br />
Perfex<br />
Ad in “Lawn Tennis”, a book<br />
by Mrs. L.A. Godfree,<br />
Ward, Lock & Co., Limited,<br />
London and Melbourne, c. 1926<br />
New information:<br />
Gibbs & Co.<br />
Retailer?<br />
Burton St.<br />
Nottingham/England<br />
Rackets in collections:<br />
Gibbs & Co., oval, convex.<br />
c. 1910<br />
Auction Mullock Madeley 2004:<br />
E.F., convex wedge, octagonal handle.<br />
c. 1913<br />
New information:<br />
Grenville’s Limited<br />
England<br />
The following racket was offered for<br />
auction at eBay between 2000 and<br />
2005 (Dr. H. Kerling):<br />
Grenville’s Limited, convex, fishtail<br />
mahogany handle, solid ash frame.<br />
c. 1914<br />
New information:<br />
Grose, Geo., & Co.<br />
New Bridget St.<br />
Ludgate Circus<br />
London<br />
England<br />
The following racket was offered for<br />
auction at eBay between 2000 and<br />
2005 (Dr. H. Kerling):<br />
Ritz, concave, handle with grooves.<br />
c. 1930<br />
132
Book of Tennis Rackets English Rackets<br />
New information to page 179:<br />
Grays of Cambridge<br />
H. J. Gray & Sons Ltd.<br />
New address since circa 1990:<br />
Station Road<br />
Robertsbridge, East Sussex, England<br />
The following information was taken<br />
from a commemorative, comprehensive<br />
presentation of the company<br />
celebrating its 150th anniversary 1855-<br />
2005 (condensed version).<br />
Company:<br />
Grays of Cambridge was founded 1855<br />
by Henry John Gray. He was employed<br />
at the Racket Courts of the University<br />
Arms Tavern on Parker’s Piece in<br />
Cambridge. It was here that he first<br />
started making rackets and balls in<br />
1855. He became rackets professional<br />
and World Champion in 1863. His<br />
Trademark in the 1870’s<br />
drawn to the stamp on a racket<br />
died in an accident in 1914 and<br />
Douglas, joined the company.<br />
Grays was one of the founding<br />
members of the British Sports<br />
Manufacturer Association together<br />
with Slazenger, Ayres, Surridges, and<br />
Wisden in 1919. A new factory named<br />
Gray-Russell was opened in<br />
Portartington, Ireland, in the early<br />
Update<br />
A saw mill was built at Coton near<br />
Cambridge. This is now the home to<br />
the Real Tennis and Rackets frames<br />
factory, the only one in the world.<br />
She was succeeded by her two sons<br />
William and John during the 1960’s.<br />
In the 1970’s Grays continued to<br />
expand and embarked on an ambitious<br />
acquisition programme buying up<br />
leading firms such as John Wisden,<br />
Edwards, Taylor Ralph, Sams<br />
Brothers, Atlas, Vicourt and Dukes<br />
Cricket Balls.<br />
In the early 1980’s stiff competition<br />
from the Far East forced the company<br />
to restructure. The Cambridge factory<br />
was closed, a number of sites acquired<br />
during the previous decade were<br />
closed or sold. The company<br />
established its new Head Office in<br />
Robertsbridge. Once again though,<br />
the company reinvented itself and<br />
The Xtra-Tec Real Tennis Racquet 1995<br />
company grew rapidly manufacturing<br />
racquets and cricket bats as well as<br />
balls.<br />
He retired in 1896 and was followed by<br />
his son Horace. Grays ran shops then<br />
at<br />
8, Rose Crescent<br />
a factory in Searle Street<br />
a London Office at 8, Goswell Road<br />
a Golf Course in Grantchester<br />
The affix ‘& Sons’ to the company’s<br />
name was first recorded in 1912.<br />
The company moved to larger<br />
premises called Playfair Works in<br />
Benson Street, Cambridge, in 1912,<br />
which would become the home of the<br />
company for a long time until 1985.<br />
Horace Gray’s twin sons, Leslie who<br />
1920’s in association with the local<br />
timber merchant Harry Russell.<br />
The famous Light Blue Racket was<br />
introduced in 1927. (Note of the author:<br />
probably the Light Blue was already<br />
manufactured in 1926 or even 1925). In<br />
1930 the Light Blue Tennis Ball was<br />
approved by the LTA (Lawn Tennis<br />
Association).<br />
Douglas Gray died in the 1930’s, aged<br />
47, and was succeeded by his wife<br />
Alison Rhone Gray. She guided the<br />
company skilfully through the difficult<br />
war years. Under the ‘Concentration<br />
Industries Act’ Grays was appointed<br />
a nucleus firm acquiring ten other<br />
sports firms which formed the<br />
foundation of the brands today.<br />
concentrated on building up its<br />
hockey, cricket and Real Tennis and<br />
Rackets racquets business being a<br />
world leader in these areas.<br />
Rackets manufactured:<br />
1930:<br />
The Light Blue, strung with green and<br />
white gut.<br />
Comment: green and white gut was in<br />
vogue in the early 1930’s. It is claimed<br />
that about 75 % of all rackets restrung<br />
used this colour combination at that<br />
time in England. Grays who was first<br />
commented: “Imitation is the sincerest<br />
form of flattery”.<br />
133
Book of Tennis Rackets English Rackets<br />
1939:<br />
Super Blue<br />
c. 1950:<br />
Light Blue Tournament<br />
7 ply, 131/1, gut, (ash, hickory and<br />
beech)<br />
Masterpiece, 7 ply,131/1, gut strung<br />
Eton Blue, 7 ply, 118/4, gut strung<br />
Super Blue, 7 ply, 104/8, gut or<br />
Multifil Nylon<br />
Gray, the 7 ply, 91/-, gut strung<br />
Treble Blue,7 ply, 86/6, gut<br />
Varsity, 5 ply, 81/1, silk<br />
Light Blue Junior, 63/9, silk or gut<br />
Update<br />
In a collection:<br />
Steel Master, oval, concave. Wooden<br />
laminated racket with a tubular chrome<br />
plated steel shaft.<br />
c. 1975<br />
New information:<br />
Halley, Jas. B.<br />
Rackets in collections:<br />
Tween, close stringing.<br />
c. 1910<br />
(Dr. H. Kerling)<br />
Additional information to page 197:<br />
Harris, T., & Son<br />
Rackets manufactured:<br />
Early 1920’s:<br />
Smart, concave, fantail.<br />
New information:<br />
Haycraft, W.<br />
Rackets in collections:<br />
Shenfield, fantail handle.<br />
c. 1905<br />
(Dr. H. Kerling)<br />
New information:<br />
Halsey, George<br />
Enfield<br />
North London/England<br />
Company:<br />
The company proclaimed (shown on a<br />
circular stamp on a racket) that it was<br />
awarded the 1st Prize Medal and<br />
Diploma from the Sports, Games and<br />
Industrial Exhibition in Scarborough,<br />
England, held from May to October<br />
1896.<br />
Rackets in collections:<br />
Geo. Halsey, oval, convex.<br />
c. 1900<br />
The following racket was offered for<br />
auction at eBay between 2000 and 2005<br />
(Dr. H. Kerling):<br />
Club, the, solid ash, convex, regular<br />
octagonal handle.<br />
c. 1905<br />
Hasley: The Club, c. 1905<br />
New information:<br />
Hardy Bros. Ltd.<br />
Alnwick<br />
(in 2008: Hardy & Greys Limited<br />
Willowburn, Alnwick,<br />
Northumberland)<br />
England<br />
Company:<br />
William Hardy and his brother John<br />
James formed the Hardy Bros<br />
partnership in 1873. They both loved<br />
to fish and their passion became their<br />
business. The great line of Hardy rods<br />
and reels got its start in this way.<br />
The early rods were made from<br />
greenheart, lancewood and hickory.<br />
In 1880 bamboo was added and soon<br />
the company invented split bamboo<br />
rods.<br />
The Hardy Bros partnership became a<br />
limited company in 1911 and in 1928 it<br />
became a publicly owned company.<br />
The House of Hardy continues at the<br />
present time to manufacture the very<br />
best of fishing rods, reels and tackle.<br />
134<br />
From Manfred Schotten: Old Sport<br />
Exhibition 2004:<br />
Rackets made:<br />
Split Bamboo Tennis Racket<br />
c. 1925
Book of Tennis Rackets English Rackets<br />
Additional information to page 198:<br />
Hazells Limited<br />
Company:<br />
Prior to about 1930, the company’s<br />
name was Hazell & Co.<br />
Name on the wedge of the<br />
Flight racket, frame with raw hide<br />
insert, c. 1930:<br />
Hazell & Co.<br />
Name on the wedge of the<br />
Ascot racket, solid frame, c. 1930:<br />
Hazells Ltd.<br />
eBay 2007:<br />
Avenue, c. 1931<br />
Rackets manufactured:<br />
The company advertised in an<br />
undisclosed magazine in 1936:<br />
1936:<br />
Hazells Streamline, Blue Star,<br />
Price 75/-<br />
Hazells Streamline, Red Star,<br />
Price 65/-<br />
Both according to Patent App. No.<br />
18060/35 and Reg. Design No. 803470.<br />
An unchanged ad in the same<br />
magazine but from the year 1937<br />
mentions now Patent No. 449362<br />
instead of the application.<br />
In the same magazine of 1938:<br />
Additionally:<br />
1938:<br />
Hazells Streamline, Green Star,<br />
Price 55/-<br />
In the same magazine of 1939:<br />
Additionally:<br />
1939:<br />
Hazells Streamline, White Star,<br />
Price 45/-<br />
In an ad in “Lawn Tennis and<br />
Badminton”, 1947, by Hazells Ltd.,<br />
Playfair Works, Cambridge, – Grays of<br />
Cambridge – (Hazells were taken over by<br />
Grays)<br />
Update<br />
1947:<br />
Hazells Streamline, Blue Star<br />
Hazells Streamline, Red Star<br />
Auction Mullock Madeley Dec. 2000:<br />
The Tournament<br />
Adroit (Hazell & Co.)<br />
c. 1930<br />
Racket in the collection of Dr. H.<br />
Kerling:<br />
Monarch, Hazell & Co. solid frame,<br />
concave.<br />
c. 1925<br />
eBay 2007 (Hazell & Co.):<br />
Scarborough<br />
c. 1920<br />
Popular<br />
c. 1925<br />
Tennis und Golf, page <strong>22</strong>7, 1931<br />
Ad from 1919:<br />
Please note Hazell & Co.<br />
and not Hazell Limited.<br />
Hazell: Monarch, c. 1925<br />
Left: Hazell & Co. - Flight, c. 1930<br />
Right: Hazells Limited - Ascot, c. 1930<br />
135
Book of Tennis Rackets English Rackets<br />
New information:<br />
Hayley, H.<br />
Leeds and Wakefield<br />
England<br />
Company:<br />
A certain H. Hayley was mentioned in<br />
the “Yorkshire Cricket Archive”<br />
(Internet) as a player in the Yorkshire<br />
Second XI v. Major and in the Major<br />
Shaw’s XI in 1906. There could be a<br />
relationship.<br />
Racket in the collection of S. Kuebler:<br />
Marvel<br />
Leeds and Wakefield. Solid ash frame.<br />
Convex wedge of mahogany. Cedar<br />
shingles.<br />
“When not in use please keep in a<br />
press.”<br />
Estimated: 1912<br />
New information:<br />
Hobbies<br />
England<br />
Company:<br />
No information available.<br />
It is reported that the company made<br />
steel rackets in the early 1920’s.<br />
New information:<br />
Hubble & Ames<br />
The Kent Sports House<br />
Gillingham<br />
England<br />
Company:<br />
No information available.<br />
New information:<br />
Horn, J.D.,<br />
4&6 Carts Lane<br />
Leicester<br />
England<br />
New information:<br />
Hutton H.<br />
Durham<br />
England<br />
Update<br />
Rackets in collections:<br />
A racket of this company was offered<br />
at an auction performed by Mullock<br />
Madeley in 2003 (Dr. H. Kerling).<br />
Wonder, the, transitional flat top,<br />
convex, grooved long handle.<br />
c. 1890<br />
Rackets in collections:<br />
All England, oval, flakes of the handle<br />
extend from the butt end to the very top<br />
of the convex wedge.<br />
c. 1900<br />
Hubble & Ames: Raleigh c. 1952<br />
Photographs courtesy Dr. H. Kerling<br />
Hayley H.: Marvel, c. 1912<br />
136
Book of Tennis Rackets English Rackets<br />
New information: (Update 2010)<br />
J. ????e & Son<br />
39. London Rd.<br />
London<br />
England<br />
Update<br />
Company:<br />
The decal on the racket named “The<br />
Green Rose” is damaged<br />
unfortunately at the place where the<br />
company’s name was printed.<br />
The Elephant & Castle was once<br />
considered the "Piccadilly Circus of<br />
South London", but these days it is a<br />
centre of student life, with London<br />
South Bank University and the<br />
London College of Communication<br />
(formerly London College of Printing)<br />
having campuses nearby.<br />
Racket in the collection of S. Kuebler:<br />
The Green Rose<br />
Laminated frame. Three plies.<br />
Bevelled on the inside. Raw hide or<br />
coloured wood insert. Three bindings<br />
at shoulder. Concave. Reinforced<br />
shoulders. Sycamore heart. Cedar<br />
shingles. A decal with a beautiful red<br />
rose and green leaves. Deep grooved<br />
handle. Butt leather.<br />
Estimated: 1933<br />
J. ????e & Son: The Green Rose, c. 1933<br />
137
Book of Tennis Rackets English Rackets<br />
Additional information to page 217:<br />
Jaques<br />
Address given in the German ad of<br />
1909 mentioned below:<br />
102, Hatton Garden<br />
Update<br />
Rackets manufactured:<br />
From a German ad in “Der Lawn-<br />
Tennis-Sport”, Berlin, 10 Aug. 1905.<br />
1905:<br />
Jaques<br />
Special Jaques<br />
Racket de Luxe<br />
From a German ad in “Fichard, Lawn<br />
Tennis Jahrbuch 1909”.<br />
1909:<br />
Jaques<br />
Special Jaques<br />
Extra Special Jaques<br />
Million<br />
Citizen<br />
Monarch<br />
Imperial<br />
Balls:<br />
Jaques Lawn-Tennis Ball<br />
From a sales catalogue by Heinrich<br />
Büchner, Regensburg:<br />
c. 1910:<br />
Spezial Champion<br />
Jaques Spezial<br />
Spezialklub<br />
Wonder<br />
Diamand<br />
Jaques: Club, c. 1905 (Dr. H. Kerling)<br />
Rackets in the collection of Dr. H.<br />
Kerling:<br />
The Champion Special, solid ash<br />
frame<br />
c. 1900<br />
Club<br />
c. 1905<br />
Royal,<br />
c. 1935<br />
Auction Mullock Madeley Dec.<br />
2000:<br />
Caneflex<br />
c. 1938<br />
eBay 2006:<br />
Crown, with unusual six-sided<br />
fantail handle<br />
c. 1900<br />
Volley Special, fishtail handle<br />
c. 1910<br />
Conqueror<br />
c. 1925<br />
Jaques: The Champion Special<br />
c. 1900 (Dr. H. Kerling)<br />
138<br />
Jaques: Royal, c. 1935<br />
(Dr. H. Kerling)
Book of Tennis Rackets English Rackets<br />
Additional information to page 218/<strong>22</strong>1:<br />
Jefferies & Co.<br />
Update<br />
Company:<br />
Please amend:<br />
The company was known as Jefferies<br />
and Malings until 1880.<br />
Please add:<br />
Rackets manufactured:<br />
1887:<br />
Ye Tennis<br />
c.1924:<br />
Angelic, concave, fishtail.<br />
c. 1932:<br />
Gold Medal Ruby, the, concave, oval,<br />
wooden handle with two strips of<br />
suede material glued to the top of the<br />
handle pieces.<br />
Rackets in the collection of Dr.<br />
Kerling:<br />
c. 1900<br />
Handicap<br />
Club<br />
c. 1920<br />
Hyde Park, the, selected, convex,<br />
fishtail.<br />
c. 1930<br />
Special Ruby, concave, with deep<br />
grooves at the handle end.<br />
A racket from this company was<br />
offered at an auction performed by<br />
Mullock Madeley in 2004.<br />
(Dr. H. Kerling).<br />
Our Special, convex.<br />
c. 1910<br />
The following rackets were offered for<br />
auction at eBay between 2000 and 2007<br />
(Dr. H. Kerling):<br />
c. 1895:<br />
Jefferies<br />
c. 1900<br />
The Special selected, convex, solid<br />
ash, no bindings at shoulders. Barrel<br />
or hammer handle.<br />
c. 1910<br />
Our Special selected, with barrel or<br />
hammer handle.<br />
c. 1910<br />
The Match<br />
Devil selected, convex, solid ash, cord<br />
bindings at shoulders.<br />
c. 1913:<br />
The De Luxe<br />
Jefferies: The Hyde Park Selected<br />
c. 1920<br />
Jefferies: GF Spezial, made for<br />
Gebrüder Feisenberger, c. 19<strong>22</strong><br />
Photograph Dr. H. Kerling<br />
Amendment to page <strong>22</strong>1:<br />
G. F. Special<br />
Meaning:<br />
G. F. = Gebrüder Feisenberger, sole<br />
distributor for these Jefferies rackets<br />
in Germany.<br />
For the Diamond Strung racket the<br />
estimated year of manufacture should<br />
of course read 1893 and not 1993 (page<br />
<strong>22</strong>1).<br />
139<br />
Jefferies: Club, c. 1910<br />
Photograph Dr. H. Kerling<br />
Jefferies: Ad in Pastime,<br />
March 30, 1887
Book of Tennis Rackets English Rackets<br />
Update<br />
Jefferies: Special Ruby, c. 1920<br />
Photos courtesy Dr. Kerling<br />
The upper head is chamfered to both sides, a speciality of<br />
Jefferies. Patent No. 19 150 is stamped onto the heart region.<br />
c. 1928/32<br />
Jefferies/Sykes: Gold Medal Ruby.<br />
Courtesy Dr. Kerling<br />
Note: Patent No. 19150<br />
(that number was not discovered in<br />
the European patent data base)<br />
140
Book of Tennis Rackets English Rackets<br />
New information:<br />
S. R. Jeffery & Son Ltd.<br />
134 High Street<br />
Guildford/Surrey<br />
England<br />
Company:<br />
Gunsmiths and sports goods dealer<br />
from 1902 to 1989.<br />
eBay 2007:<br />
Update<br />
Additional information to page 230:<br />
Kerr, John, Bros.<br />
Rackets in collections:<br />
A racket of this company was offered<br />
at an auction performed by Christie’s<br />
in 2005 (Dr. H. Kerling).<br />
Auction Mullock Madeley 2000:<br />
Tournament Special, concave wedge.<br />
c. 1925<br />
Court, the, ash throat, mahogany<br />
scored handle.<br />
c. 1930<br />
New information:<br />
King & Co., A.<br />
London<br />
Rackets in collections:<br />
A racket from this company was<br />
offered at an auction performed by<br />
Christie’s in 2002 (Dr. H. Kerling).<br />
Excelsior, convex, fishtail handle with<br />
deep central groove.<br />
c. 1900<br />
S: R. Jeffery & Son Ltd:<br />
The Windsor, scored handle,<br />
convex wedge<br />
c. 1905<br />
141
Book of Tennis Rackets English Rackets<br />
New information:<br />
Lawsons<br />
London<br />
Rackets in the collection of<br />
Dr. H. Kerling:<br />
The Ideal, solid ash frame.<br />
c. 1928<br />
New information:<br />
Lenglen’s Ltd.<br />
Probably England<br />
High Hoboken?<br />
Rackets in collections:<br />
Helmex, laminated frame, insert with<br />
rawhide, concave, combed handle.<br />
c. 1930<br />
New information:<br />
Lowe & Campbell<br />
Athletic Goods Co.<br />
England<br />
Update<br />
The following racket was offered for<br />
auction at eBay between 2000 and 2005<br />
(Dr. H. Kerling):<br />
Aristocrat, laminated frame, concave<br />
c. 1939<br />
Lenglen’s: Helmex, c. 1930<br />
Additional information to page 254:<br />
Lillywhites<br />
From an ad in “The Laws of Lawn<br />
Tennis”, Cricket Press Series,<br />
1921:<br />
Twyford<br />
Predominant<br />
Improved Endymion<br />
Lowe & Campbell: Aristocrat, c. 1939<br />
“Sole West End Agents for the ‘Tate’<br />
Racket”.<br />
(Dr. H. Kerling)<br />
Lawson: The Ideal c. 1928<br />
Additional information to page 254:<br />
Lillywhites Jos., Frowd & Co.<br />
Address for James Lillywhite, Frowd<br />
& Co.: 2 Newington causeway;<br />
manufactory, 69 to 74 Borough road,<br />
London S.E.<br />
Rackets in collections:<br />
A racket of this company was offered<br />
at an auction performed by Mulock<br />
Madeley in 2001 (Dr. H. Kerling).<br />
Electric, the<br />
c. 1925<br />
142<br />
New information:<br />
Logesom<br />
Hoddleson<br />
Rackets in collections:<br />
(Dr. H. Kerling)<br />
The Vixen, fishtail handle<br />
c. 1895<br />
New information:<br />
Lugard & Pulham<br />
Wembley/England<br />
Rackets in collections:<br />
Eland Moth, oval, laminated, concave.<br />
Several bindings on shoulders and<br />
shaft. Combed wooden handle.<br />
c. 1935
Book of Tennis Rackets English Rackets<br />
Additional information to page 255:<br />
Lunn & Co.,<br />
Horncastle, Lincolnshire<br />
England<br />
Rackets manufactured:<br />
From a description in ‘Racket Sport<br />
Collectibles’, Schiffer Publishing Ltd.,<br />
2002:<br />
Lunn & Co., Horncastle, convex, with<br />
an original leather wrapped handle.<br />
c. 1875<br />
Rackets in collections:<br />
From an auction catalogue of Christie’s,<br />
June 21, 1996:<br />
Lunn & Co., of Horncastle, Lincolnshire,<br />
racket with tilted head (lopsided), convex<br />
wedge, circular cork handle.<br />
c. 1876<br />
New information:<br />
MacKee, William, & Co.<br />
10 Queen Street<br />
Cardiff<br />
England<br />
Company: No information is available<br />
about this company.<br />
Rackets in collections:<br />
From an auction catalogue of Mullock<br />
Madeley, Nov. 20/21, 1998.<br />
The Match, solid frame, fishtail handle,<br />
convex wedge.<br />
c. 1914<br />
Update<br />
Additional information to page 259:<br />
Malings, Henry<br />
Rackets in collections:<br />
Henry Malings, Frances St. Woolwich,<br />
tilted to one side with a relatively small<br />
head and a long handle.<br />
c. 1875<br />
Additional information to page 267:<br />
The MCC Bat Works Ltd.<br />
not MMC, please amend<br />
Bedford<br />
Great Britain<br />
Rackets in collections:<br />
(Dr. H. Kerling)<br />
Tavistock, concave, solid ash,<br />
chamfered, leather on handle probably<br />
added at a later date.<br />
c. 1920<br />
Remark of the author: Tavistock is an<br />
old historic market town situated on<br />
the River Tavy in Devon, England.<br />
Auction Mullock Madeley Dec. 2000:<br />
Stirling, concave wedge.<br />
c. 1925<br />
The following racket was offered for<br />
auction at eBay between 2000 and<br />
2005 (Dr. H. Kerling):<br />
Bedford, the, solid ash, concave.<br />
c. 1920<br />
Remark: Please note the unusual<br />
throat construction<br />
The MCC Bat Works: Tavistock c. 1920, Photograph Dr. H. Kerling<br />
143<br />
MCC: The Bedford, c. 1920
Book of Tennis Rackets English Rackets<br />
New information:<br />
Mead & Toomer<br />
Southampton<br />
England<br />
eBay 2006:<br />
The Marvel<br />
c.1910<br />
New information:<br />
Merigold Bros.<br />
Preston<br />
England<br />
Company: No information is available<br />
about this company.<br />
Rackets in collections:<br />
From an auction catalogue of Mullock<br />
Madeley, Nov. 29, 1997.<br />
The Imp, fishtail handle with concave<br />
wedge.<br />
c. 1920<br />
New information:<br />
Moore, John<br />
Bath<br />
Update<br />
Rackets in collections:<br />
(Dr. H. Kerling)<br />
Globe, concave, scored handle<br />
c. 1928<br />
Additional information to page 270:<br />
Murton, Henry A.<br />
Rackets in collections:<br />
Premier, oval, laminated convex wedge<br />
c. 1908<br />
New information:<br />
Montgomery & Co., Limited,<br />
Adams<br />
London<br />
England<br />
Mead & Toomer: The Marvel, c. 1910<br />
Company:<br />
A horse as trade mark.<br />
Rackets in collections:<br />
Merrie England, Model de Luxe, solid<br />
ash frame, long stretched oval face,<br />
concave, combed handle. “Phast<br />
wedge, perfect balance.” – Wedge<br />
probably patented – English patent<br />
446???.<br />
c. 1930<br />
Montgomery: Merrie England,<br />
c. 1930<br />
144
Book of Tennis Rackets English Rackets<br />
New information:<br />
Muller<br />
‘The Strand’ London/England<br />
Company:<br />
Muller produced badminton rackets<br />
strung with silk (information provided<br />
by Gerald Gurney).<br />
Rackets in collections:<br />
The Razar, laminated frame, rawhide<br />
insert, shown on racket: strung<br />
Corado, Made in England.<br />
c. 1935<br />
Update<br />
Muller: The Razar, c. 1935<br />
Additional information to page 270:<br />
Murray & Baldwin<br />
eBay auction2006:<br />
Spencer Moulten, ergonomic handle<br />
to follow the shape of the fingers<br />
c. 1930<br />
Murray & Baldwin: Spencer Moulten, c. 1935<br />
Spencer & Moulton was a maker of<br />
tennis balls.<br />
145
Book of Tennis Rackets English Rackets<br />
New information:<br />
M. & W.<br />
Probably England<br />
It could also be the German company<br />
Müller & Wimmer (M.&W.). Please<br />
consult the German section of this<br />
Update.<br />
Rackets in collections:<br />
The Favourite, solid ash frame,<br />
elongated oval face, convex, combed<br />
handle.<br />
c. 1910<br />
New information:<br />
Nash, Robert J.<br />
‘Racket Maker’<br />
Birmingham/England<br />
Rackets in collections:<br />
Corinthian, concave, laminated,<br />
leather wrapped handle, reinforced<br />
shoulders.<br />
c. 1955<br />
Additional information to page 272:<br />
Nusser E. & Co.<br />
72, Dean Street, Shaftesbury Avenue<br />
London, W.<br />
Racket in collections:<br />
(Dr. H. Kerling)<br />
Special Hurlingham, solid ash,<br />
mahogany heart, cedar shingles.<br />
Fishtail handle.<br />
c. 1909<br />
Update<br />
Additional information to page 275:<br />
Ormond<br />
Rackets in the collection of Dr.<br />
Kerling:<br />
Club c. 1896<br />
Darling (children) c. 1900<br />
Eclipse c. 1900<br />
Victory c. 1902<br />
Emperor c. 1905<br />
Invincible c. 1905<br />
Terror c. 1905<br />
Darling c. 1914<br />
Hartington c. 1914<br />
Court c. 19<strong>22</strong><br />
Regent c. 1925<br />
Kuebler- collection:<br />
London c. 1883<br />
Pastime c. 1899<br />
Ideal c. 1920<br />
Wolffs Spezial c. 1930<br />
The following rackets were offered for<br />
auction at eBay between 2000 and 2007<br />
(Dr. H. Kerling):<br />
Alert c. 1905<br />
Challenge c. 1910<br />
Extra c.1910<br />
Meteor c. 1910<br />
Marvel c. 1919<br />
Swift c. 1925<br />
Nusser: Special Hurlingham, c. 1909<br />
Photograph Dr. H. Kerling<br />
Rackets manufactured:<br />
From a German ad in “Fichard, Lawn-<br />
Tennis Jahrbuch, 1909”:<br />
1909:<br />
Special Hurlingham, with octagonal<br />
handle.<br />
Jay Gould, Esq., the American and<br />
English tennis champion, writes:<br />
“I find your racquets absolutely the<br />
best, and have used them in all my<br />
important matches.”<br />
146
Book of Tennis Rackets English Rackets<br />
Update<br />
Ormond: Hartington, c. 1914<br />
All photographs Dr. H. Kerling<br />
Ormond: Hartington, c. 1914<br />
Details of the grooves and the fantail<br />
handle<br />
Ormond: Challenge, c. 1896<br />
Ormond: Wolffs Spezial, c. 1930<br />
Ormond: Emperor c. 1900<br />
(imprinted the name of the sole distributor in Germany: D. H. Wagner & Sohn,<br />
Leipzig<br />
Ad of the sole distributor for Ormond<br />
rackets in Germany c. 1910<br />
147
Book of Tennis Rackets English Rackets<br />
Additional information to page 277:<br />
Page & Co., J. Edward<br />
England<br />
Rackets manufactured:<br />
From a description in ‘Dr. Mh.<br />
Pfaundler: Die Principien und Theorien<br />
des Lawn-Tennis-Spieles’, issued<br />
1898. (This information was provided<br />
by Dr. H. Kerling).<br />
1897:<br />
Flexible, with a handle of resilient<br />
materials according to English Patent<br />
3506, accepted 1892.<br />
New information:<br />
Parkins & Gotto<br />
England<br />
Rackets in collections:<br />
Parkins & Gotto, convex, flat-topped.<br />
c. 1895<br />
Parkins & Gotto, convex, more oval.<br />
c. 1895<br />
A racket from this company was<br />
offered at an auction performed by<br />
Sotheby’s in 2003 (Dr. H. Kerling).<br />
Parkins the Universal, convex,<br />
fishtail handle.<br />
c. 1890<br />
Additional information to page 281:<br />
Perry & Co.<br />
Reading/England<br />
Company:<br />
One racket of this company was offered<br />
for auction at eBay in 2007:<br />
1910 - 1920:<br />
Spartan, oval face, concave.<br />
On the heart region stamped in gold:<br />
Perry & Co., Reading.<br />
Maybe this company was a different<br />
one from the one with the ad from<br />
1892, where the address was given as<br />
Frankfurt a. M.<br />
Amendment:<br />
The “Marvel” racket shown on page<br />
281was more likely made between 1910<br />
and 1920 and not c. 1905.<br />
Update<br />
Additional information to page 282:<br />
Piggott, Ltd., John<br />
Company:<br />
In about 1895 the company described<br />
itself:<br />
Piggott Bros., & Co.<br />
Manufacturers<br />
57,58 & 59 Bishopsgate St.<br />
London<br />
‘Manufacturers of marquees and tents,<br />
for sporting, travelling, engineering,<br />
surveying, & prospecting, also artistic<br />
designs of tents for garden grounds<br />
and lawns.’<br />
From an ad in 1897:<br />
John Piggott<br />
City Tennis, Cricket & Cyclists’<br />
Outfitter.<br />
117 & 119 Cheapside, & Milk Street<br />
London<br />
Racket manufactured:<br />
c. 1895:<br />
The Fishtail<br />
1897:<br />
The J. P.<br />
with taper type handle (page 634)<br />
148
Book of Tennis Rackets English Rackets<br />
Additional information to page 291:<br />
Prosser T.H. & Sons<br />
Company:<br />
In a letter from Elisabeth Prosser which<br />
was published in “The Tennis<br />
Collector”, No. 39, summer 2000, page<br />
16, she stated that the company<br />
manufactured the famous Prosser tennis<br />
rackets and other sporting equipment<br />
such as cricket bats from 1857 until the<br />
1950’s.<br />
From a letter of Sally Vivian, nee Sally<br />
Prosser great-granddaughter of<br />
Thomas Henry Prosser, to the author<br />
dated March 3, 2006:<br />
“My grandfather A.E. Prosser<br />
continued production until his death<br />
in 1923. It is after A.E. Prosser’s death<br />
that Ltd. appears on rackets.”<br />
Racket in the collection of Adrian<br />
Keats:<br />
The MSD, manufactured by Prosser<br />
for the Melbourne Sports Depot,<br />
Melbourne<br />
c. 1920<br />
At an auction performed by Sotheby’s<br />
in 2003:<br />
Superb, the, fishtail<br />
c. 1920<br />
Update<br />
Rackets manufactured:<br />
From a catalogue (courtesy David<br />
Cornwell, New Zealand) of the company<br />
for 1929. Rackets with the highest price<br />
tag listed first.<br />
1929:<br />
Prosser’s Super Model, top model,<br />
result of our 72 years’ experience, frame<br />
made of English ash, wedge of walnut,<br />
face pieces of mahogany, box handle,<br />
shoulders strengthened with vellum and<br />
bound with surgical gut. Deeply grooved<br />
handle.<br />
Rolls Royce of Rackets, concave,<br />
deeply grooved handle.<br />
Improved Phenomenon, concave,<br />
deeply grooved handle.<br />
Special Corona, concave, deeply<br />
grooved handle.<br />
Corona, concave, deeply grooved<br />
handle.<br />
Association, concave, deeply grooved<br />
handle.<br />
Permirus, concave, deeply grooved<br />
handle.<br />
Nulli Secundus, (second to none)<br />
concave, deeply grooved handle.<br />
Don, concave, deeply grooved handle.<br />
Challenge, concave, deeply grooved<br />
handle.<br />
Monitor, concave, deeply grooved<br />
handle.<br />
Prosser: Super Model, 1929<br />
Prosser: Phenomenon Improved<br />
Rackets in the collection of Dr. H.<br />
Kerling:<br />
Ivanhoe<br />
c. 1910<br />
Phenomenon Improved<br />
c. 1933<br />
Letterhead from 1929 (courtesy David Cornwell, New Zealand)<br />
Original was unfortunately lost. Scanned from a photocopy.<br />
149
Book of Tennis Rackets English Rackets<br />
New information:<br />
Quin & Axtens<br />
Brixton/London<br />
England<br />
New information:<br />
Sams’ Bros & Barnes Ltd<br />
Hoddesdon<br />
England<br />
Update<br />
Company:<br />
William Raymond Axtens was the<br />
owner of the Brixton Department store<br />
Quin & Axtens. It operated from 1905<br />
to 1941. It sold rackets with its name<br />
on it. They were made by other<br />
manufacturers.<br />
Rackets in collections:<br />
Wimbledon, laminated frame. Eggshaped<br />
head. Combed handle.<br />
c. 1932<br />
Company: No information available.<br />
Registered trade mark is an owl sitting<br />
on the globe – Sams’Bros.<br />
In the 1970’s Grays of Cambridge<br />
acquired Sams’ Brothers amongst<br />
other sporting goods companies.<br />
Racket in the collection of Dr. H.<br />
Kerling:<br />
New information:<br />
Radcliffe<br />
England<br />
Rackets in collections:<br />
Pioneer, laminated frame. Shown on<br />
the racket: Decal of a sailing boat.<br />
c. 1955<br />
Radcliffe: Pioneer, c. 1955<br />
New information:<br />
Redmayne & Todd<br />
England<br />
Company:<br />
No information available.<br />
New information:<br />
Rushworths Ltd.<br />
Hudderfield/England<br />
The following racket was offered for<br />
auction at eBay between 2000 and 2005<br />
(Dr. H. Kerling):<br />
Queen, solid ash, concave, scored handle.<br />
c. 1929<br />
.<br />
Sams’ Bros & Barnes: Royal c. 1933<br />
150
Book of Tennis Rackets English Rackets<br />
Additional information to page 320:<br />
Sheffield Ltd., J. & S.<br />
266 & 244 Hackney Road (1921)<br />
London, N.E.<br />
Rackets manufactured:<br />
From an ad in “Deutsches Lawn-<br />
Tennis-Jahrbuch 1913”, page 144:<br />
1913:<br />
A.D.P. designed by A.D. Prebble, Esq.<br />
From an ad in “The Laws of Lawn<br />
Tennis”, Cricket Press Series,<br />
1921:<br />
The A.D.P.<br />
Imperial<br />
Monarch<br />
Sovereign<br />
J.E.S.<br />
Driver<br />
Olympia<br />
(Dr. H. Kerling)<br />
Lionel Bradford, fellow collector<br />
wrote (spring 2000):<br />
“Address of the company:<br />
Hackney Rd., Bethnal Green,<br />
East London<br />
I lost contact with them when they<br />
closed in the 1960’s. At that time this<br />
was the heart of the furniture trade<br />
which no longer exists.”<br />
New information:<br />
Smith Matthews<br />
London N1<br />
England<br />
Company:<br />
No information available.<br />
Update<br />
Rackets in collections:<br />
Club, solid frame. Bevelled on the<br />
inside. Combed handle.<br />
c. 1930<br />
Rackets in the collection of Dr. H.<br />
Kerling:<br />
Sovereign, solid ash, combed handle,<br />
concave.<br />
c. 1925<br />
All photographs courtesy Dr. H.<br />
Kerling.<br />
New information:<br />
Simpsons<br />
Aberdeen<br />
Scotland<br />
Company: No information available.<br />
Rackets in collections:<br />
From an auction catalogue of Mullock<br />
Madeley, 2003:<br />
Gem, the, fishtail, convex wedge.<br />
c. 1905<br />
Remark: Major Harry Gem founded the<br />
first Lawn Tennis Club in England,<br />
The Leamington LTC, in 1872.<br />
New information:<br />
Smith, Odgen<br />
Cheapside/London<br />
Smith & Matthews: Club, c. 1930.<br />
Company’s name shown at the side of<br />
the shaft<br />
New information:<br />
Sidney, France<br />
England?<br />
Company: No information available.<br />
Rackets in collections:<br />
From an auction catalogue of Mullock<br />
Madeley, July 12, 1997:<br />
Robert Hailet, autograph racket.<br />
c. 1970<br />
Lew Hoad Senior Racquet, autograph<br />
racket.<br />
c. 1970<br />
Rackets in collections:<br />
(Dr. H. Kerling)<br />
Lovall, convex<br />
c. 1890<br />
Sheffield: Sovereign c. 1925<br />
eBay auction 2006:<br />
Empire, c. 1908<br />
151
Book of Tennis Rackets English Rackets<br />
Additional information to page 3<strong>22</strong>:<br />
Slazenger Ltd.<br />
Christopher Elks, fellow collector,<br />
questioned in a letter if the statement<br />
of the author that all “Slazenger<br />
rackets with the imprint S & S<br />
(abbreviation of Slazengers and Sons)<br />
were possibly made later than 1890”.<br />
This can be maintained in view of a<br />
catalogue of the company of 1884/85<br />
in his possession which shows on its<br />
front page a clear stamp of S & S.<br />
Comment of author: The mentioned<br />
catalogue does not show the<br />
catalogue’s date of issue but<br />
rather Medals awarded to<br />
Slazengers at International<br />
Exhibitions, in 1884 and 1885.<br />
Lyle Jones gave the following<br />
suggestion, in Feb. 2004:<br />
“Slazenger apparently did use the<br />
six pointed star trademark before<br />
1890. I have an advertisement from<br />
an 1885 ‘Century Illustrated’<br />
magazine for the Renshaw and<br />
Demon rackets. The Renshaw is<br />
shown with the star on its wedge.<br />
Gerald Gurney shows the same<br />
racket and star in his publication<br />
‘The Racket’. The advertisement<br />
he uses is from ‘the very rare Lawn-<br />
Tennis magazine of 1885’. Neither<br />
illustration is fine enough to show<br />
any lettering in or around the star.<br />
However, this information does<br />
not contradict what Slazengers<br />
told you regarding S&S and 1890.”<br />
The Vaile, similar to the E.G.M.<br />
However, rubber strips are inserted<br />
in the top and bottom of the handle in<br />
longitudinal direction but not higher<br />
than the edges of the handle,<br />
preventing the racket to twist in the<br />
player’s hand.<br />
c. 1921:<br />
Patterson G. L., concave racket with<br />
oval face, octagonal combed handle,<br />
from 1925 onwards with vellum<br />
bindings at shoulders. Made from 1921<br />
to at least 1926. Specially produced<br />
Update<br />
under the direction of G. L. Patterson<br />
(Wimbledon champion 1919).<br />
c. 1925:<br />
Lotus (eBay 2006)<br />
Anderson J. O., designed and used by<br />
the Australian J. O. Anderson,<br />
Australian champion 1924 and 25.<br />
Concave racket with oval face,<br />
octagonal combed handle, from 1925<br />
onwards with vellum bindings at<br />
shoulders. Made from 1924 to at least<br />
1927. Popular model in Australia.<br />
Advertised in Australian Lawn Tennis,<br />
The coat of arms of the Prince of Wales. On top is printed: “Ich dien”, in German<br />
I serve, I oblige. This name was used for a Slazenger racket made from 1886 to 1906.<br />
Rackets manufactured:<br />
Please add the following rackets to<br />
the tables shown on page 335 to 337:<br />
c. 1890:<br />
Quadruple, oval face, convex,<br />
laminated. It consists of four pieces<br />
of ash cemented together – the same<br />
principle as the splice of a fishing<br />
rod.<br />
Triplicate, oval face, convex,<br />
laminated. It consists of two pieces<br />
of ash and one of teak, cemented<br />
together – the same principle as the<br />
splice of a fishing rod.<br />
c. 1897:<br />
The Challenge and the Acme were<br />
already made in 1897.<br />
1902:<br />
Forward<br />
1905:<br />
Renshaw Special (eBay 2006)<br />
Left: Slazenger: The Vaile, 1905<br />
From P.A. Vaile’s book translated into German:<br />
“Lawn Tennis von heute”, 1905. Courtesy Dr.<br />
Heiner Kerling.<br />
152
Book of Tennis Rackets English Rackets<br />
November 30, 1925. Price 95/ –. This<br />
racket was called: the “New Wimbledon<br />
Model”.<br />
Anderson J. O., Junior, similar<br />
construction, but shorter, for junior<br />
players.<br />
Primoris, concave racket with oval<br />
face, octagonal combed handle, from<br />
1925 onwards with vellum bindings at<br />
shoulders. Made from 1925 to at least<br />
1927. Exceptional strength by double<br />
frame and insertion. Shoulders<br />
reinforced with raw hide.<br />
V.V.V., abbreviation for “Veni, vidi,<br />
vici” – I came, I saw I conquered.<br />
Concave racket with oval face,<br />
octagonal combed handle, from 1925<br />
onwards with vellum bindings at<br />
shoulders. Made from 1925 to at least<br />
1927.<br />
From an ad in Lawn-Tennis Handbuch,<br />
Czechoslovakia<br />
1928:<br />
Melbury<br />
Najuch<br />
Kozeluh<br />
From an ad in a tennis book published<br />
in 1969:<br />
1969:<br />
Challenge, laminated frame.<br />
Please add to the table on page 335:<br />
Thalmo (the) Model 3, fishtail<br />
c. 1900<br />
Eltham, solid ash, concave wedge,<br />
oval face, octagonal handle.<br />
c. 1920<br />
Thalmo, fishtail<br />
early 1930<br />
Cheltenham<br />
c.1934<br />
The following rackets were made at<br />
least until 1934:<br />
Doherty<br />
Eclipse<br />
Meteor<br />
Pall Mall<br />
Special Demon<br />
Tournament<br />
From a Slazenger brochure “Service”,<br />
1939:<br />
All White<br />
Fred Perry, Tournament Model<br />
Queen’s, Tournament Model<br />
Doherty<br />
Queen’s<br />
Fred Perry Special<br />
Primax<br />
Special Demon<br />
Meteor<br />
Pall Mall<br />
Victory<br />
Varsity<br />
Marquis<br />
Eclipse<br />
Eltham<br />
Player<br />
La Belle<br />
Whirl Wind<br />
Fred Perry Junior Tournament Model<br />
Fred Perry Junior<br />
Slazenger Junior<br />
Eros (juvenile racket)<br />
c. 1955:<br />
Wimbledon, resembles the Dunlop<br />
Maxply.<br />
c. 1975 to 1983:<br />
Challenge 100<br />
probably a<br />
supplemental<br />
racket to the<br />
successful<br />
Challenge No. 1.<br />
It is interesting to<br />
note (see also table<br />
on page 332) that<br />
the Demon was<br />
introduced anew by<br />
Slazenger in 1962<br />
and was made until<br />
1966. Its<br />
appearance, of<br />
course, was<br />
completely<br />
different from the<br />
traditional one<br />
made years ago,<br />
now showing a<br />
common octagonal<br />
leather wrapped<br />
grip, instead of the<br />
“Demon” handle.<br />
Two examples are<br />
shown (courtesy<br />
Dr. H. Kerling).<br />
Auction Mullock<br />
Madeley 2003:<br />
I. Zingari, concave<br />
wedge.<br />
c. 1920’s<br />
Remark: In the table<br />
on page 336 in the<br />
book a Slazenger<br />
racket I.Z. is listed.<br />
This is the<br />
Update<br />
abbreviation for I. Zingari, the name<br />
of one of the oldest Cricket Clubs in<br />
England. This club was founded in<br />
1845. The oldest cricket club in<br />
Australia with the same name was<br />
founded in 1888 with the consent of<br />
the English club.<br />
The following racket was offered for<br />
auction at eBay between 2000 and 2005<br />
(Dr. H. Kerling):<br />
Marquis, concave, laminated frame.<br />
c. 1932<br />
Auction Mullock Madeley Dec. 2000:<br />
Royal Crown<br />
Whippet<br />
c. 1938<br />
Slazenger: Demon, c. 1962<br />
Slazenger: Eltham, c.<br />
1920<br />
Photograph Dr, H.<br />
Kerling<br />
153
Book of Tennis Rackets English Rackets<br />
eBay auction 2008:<br />
Please add to the table on page 335:<br />
EGM Prince of Wales, Patent<br />
shoulders<br />
c. 1902<br />
Burke<br />
c. 1907<br />
New York, concave, deeply grooved<br />
handle<br />
c. 19<strong>22</strong><br />
RHS<br />
c. 1929<br />
Golden Sheaf<br />
c. 1932<br />
New information:<br />
Sparke G.<br />
England<br />
Company: No information available.<br />
Rackets in collections:<br />
From an auction catalogue of<br />
Francoise Lepeuve, April 24, 1999:<br />
G. Sparke, flat top.<br />
c. 1904<br />
New information:<br />
Spencer & Moulton<br />
England<br />
Company:<br />
Makers of tennis balls.<br />
“Adopted for the Hard Court<br />
Championships Great Britain for 1933,<br />
1934 and again in 1935 and National<br />
Championships of South Africa 1934<br />
& 1935'.”<br />
New information:<br />
Stockwin & Co.<br />
Birmingham<br />
England<br />
Company: No information available.<br />
Racket in the collections:<br />
From an auction catalogue of Mullock<br />
Madeley, July 12, 1997:<br />
The Match, concave wedge, regular<br />
handle<br />
c. 1905<br />
Auction Mullock Madeley 2003:<br />
Club, the<br />
c. 1910<br />
Additional information to page 370:<br />
Spalding A.G. & Bros.<br />
Please add to the table:<br />
Metalite, steel frame with a wooden<br />
handle. Wedge with a hole in its centre<br />
(open throat) according to Spalding’s<br />
US Patent No. 1 618 727, discussed on<br />
page 359.<br />
c. 1930<br />
Additional information to page 377:<br />
Sterling Rackets<br />
For sale listed in an auction catalogue<br />
from Christie’s, July 5, 2005:<br />
Sterling racket with a fishtail handle<br />
c. 1890<br />
New information:<br />
Stevens, Thomas<br />
England<br />
Company: No information is available<br />
on this company.<br />
Rackets in collections:<br />
From a Phillips’ auction catalogue,<br />
April 24, 2001:<br />
Stevengraph, the name suggests<br />
(graph from graphite) that this racket<br />
was made in the mid 1980’s.<br />
Snow & Co.: Challenger,<br />
Prosser, 1938 - 1950<br />
Snow<br />
New information:<br />
Snow & Co.<br />
Glastonbury<br />
England<br />
From an eBay auction in 2006:<br />
Challenger, Snow Prosser<br />
1938-1950<br />
Update<br />
Additional information to page 378:<br />
Stuart Surridge & Co. Ltd.<br />
Rackets in collections:<br />
Carlton, countersunk head strings laid<br />
over a wire, octagonal handle.<br />
c. 1930<br />
Ideal, slightly flat top racket, scored<br />
octagonal handle.<br />
c. 1930<br />
Standard<br />
c. 1930<br />
Waverley, with trade mark IRIS.<br />
Laminated racket and regular handle.<br />
c. 1930<br />
Argyle, countersunk ridge around the<br />
head, concave.<br />
c. 1928<br />
Additional information to page 379:<br />
Sugg Ltd., Frank<br />
12 Lord St.<br />
Liverpool, Leeds, Sheffield and Cardiff<br />
England<br />
Rackets manufactured:<br />
Fichard, Lawn-Tennis Jahrbuch,<br />
advertisement in German<br />
1909:<br />
The Invinsa<br />
Counter<br />
Lancashire Witch<br />
Royal Court<br />
Court<br />
Balls:<br />
The Invinsa Tennis-Ball<br />
Liver Tennis-Ball<br />
Court Tennis-Ball<br />
Rackets in collections:<br />
Prince<br />
c.1920<br />
The Special, with tapered head and<br />
shoulders, concave wedge, regular<br />
grooved handle.<br />
c. 1925<br />
154
Book of Tennis Rackets English Rackets<br />
Additional information to page 379:<br />
Sugg, H. H.<br />
Sheffield<br />
Rackets in collections:<br />
Sport, the, concave, combed wooden<br />
handle, reinforced shoulders,<br />
wrappings around shoulders,<br />
laminated.<br />
c. 1936<br />
Additional information to page 379:<br />
Sykes Ltd., William<br />
Company:<br />
For Sykes Jefferies rackets after c.<br />
1919 please refer to the chapter on<br />
Jefferies.<br />
Rackets manufactured:<br />
From an ad in “Der Lawn-Tennis-<br />
Sport”, Nr. 8, Jahrgang IV, Berlin, 16<br />
May, 1907.<br />
1907:<br />
E.D.B.<br />
E.D.B. Special<br />
E.D. B. Extra Special<br />
From an ad in “The Laws of Lawn<br />
Tennis”, Cricket Press Series,<br />
1921:<br />
Senior Service<br />
E.D.B. Model-de-Luxe<br />
“The Yorkshire Athletic Manufactury”.<br />
Rackets in collections:<br />
Please add<br />
Paris Special, oval, convex, fishtail<br />
handle.<br />
c. 1908<br />
Additional information to page 382:<br />
Talmo<br />
Rackets in collections:<br />
Model 3, fishtail handle.<br />
c. 1930<br />
New information:<br />
Thornton & Co. Ltd.<br />
probably Great Britain<br />
Company:<br />
No information is available on this<br />
company.<br />
Rackets manufactured:<br />
c. 1914:<br />
Special, solid frame with convex<br />
wedge, combed handle.<br />
New information:<br />
Tyldesley & Holbrook<br />
109, Deansgate<br />
Manchester<br />
England<br />
Company:<br />
At an auction in 2008 a Summer Sports<br />
Catalogue 1929, 44 pages, inc. cricket,<br />
tennis, athletics etc., was offered.<br />
Rackets in collections:<br />
A racket of this company was offered<br />
at an auction performed by Mullock<br />
Madeley in 2001 (Dr. H. Kerling).<br />
Extra Special Selected<br />
1920’s<br />
New information:<br />
Tyne & Wear<br />
England<br />
Update<br />
The following racket was offered for<br />
auction at eBay between 2000 and 2005<br />
(Dr. H. Kerling):<br />
Scorer, the, solid ash, convex wedge,<br />
fishtail handle.<br />
c. 1902<br />
Tyne & Wear: The Scorer, c. 1902<br />
New information:<br />
Wallis and Co. Ltd., Thomas<br />
Holborn Circus<br />
London/England<br />
Company:<br />
No information is available on this<br />
company.<br />
Rackets manufactured:<br />
c. 1900:<br />
Marvel, oval head, convex almost flat<br />
wedge.<br />
eBay auction 2006:<br />
ASW<br />
c. 1908<br />
155
Book of Tennis Rackets English Rackets<br />
New information:<br />
Wanless & Co.<br />
South Shields<br />
England<br />
The following racket was offered for<br />
auction at eBay between 2000 and 2005<br />
(Dr. H. Kerling):<br />
Wanless & Co., solid ash, convex,<br />
fishtail.<br />
c. 1908<br />
Additional information to page 412:<br />
Webbers, J. & Sons<br />
Rackets in collections:<br />
(Dr. H. Kerling)<br />
Exonian<br />
c. 1910<br />
New information:<br />
Whitehall<br />
Bristol<br />
England<br />
New information:<br />
Witty, Henry<br />
15, Basnett St.<br />
Liverpool<br />
England<br />
Update<br />
Company:<br />
No information is available on this<br />
company.<br />
Rackets manufactured:<br />
c. 1880-1890:<br />
Henry Witty, convex, flat-topped.<br />
Wanless; Wanless, c. 1908<br />
Additional information to page 411:<br />
Watson, Alec<br />
Practical Sports Outfitter<br />
Est. 1886<br />
39 Piccadilly (first address)<br />
11 Lever St.<br />
35 Oxford St<br />
Manchester<br />
England<br />
Rackets distributed:<br />
Fichard, Lawn-Tennis Jahrbuch,<br />
advertisement in German (AW stands<br />
for Alec Watson).<br />
1909:<br />
AWs Court<br />
AWs Red Rose<br />
AWs Champion<br />
AWs Imperial<br />
AWs County-Racket<br />
Watson-Special-Racket<br />
Balls:<br />
AWs Special Court Tennis-Ball<br />
AWs Court Tennis-Ball<br />
AWs Champion Tennis-Ball<br />
AWs Special Tennis-Ball<br />
Company:<br />
No information is available on this<br />
company.<br />
Rackets in collections:<br />
A racket from this company was<br />
offered at an auction performed by<br />
Mullock Madeley in 2003 (Dr. H.<br />
Kerling):<br />
Sparrow Hawk, concave wedge, butt<br />
cap.<br />
1920’s ?<br />
Additional information to page 470:<br />
Wisden, John, & Co. Ltd.<br />
Rackets in collections:<br />
Popular, oval, convex<br />
c. 1910<br />
Please add to the list: made at least<br />
until 1910.<br />
Cosmos, oval, concave, laminated,<br />
leather wrapped handle.<br />
c. 1938<br />
Cosmos, (‘High Velocity Model’) oval,<br />
concave, laminated, leather wrapped<br />
handle.<br />
c. 1950<br />
For sale listed in an auction catalogue<br />
from Christie’s, July 5, 2005:<br />
Excellent, flat top, solid ash, walnut<br />
throat, mahogany scored fishtail<br />
handle.<br />
c. 1895<br />
E.M. flat top racket.<br />
c. 1895<br />
Invicta, solid ash, beech throat,<br />
octagonal handle.<br />
c. 1920<br />
eBay auction 2007:<br />
Standard<br />
c. 1935<br />
156<br />
New information:<br />
Witty, Richard<br />
Tithebarn St.<br />
Liverpool<br />
England<br />
Company:<br />
No information is available on this<br />
company.<br />
Rackets manufactured:<br />
c. 1880-1890:<br />
Richard Witty, convex, flat-topped.<br />
New information:<br />
J. Wisbey & Co.<br />
England<br />
Company:<br />
No information is available on this<br />
company.<br />
eBay auction 2007:<br />
Wisbey<br />
c. 1895
Book of Tennis Rackets English Rackets<br />
New information:<br />
Wrinch & Sons<br />
England<br />
Company:<br />
No information is available on this<br />
company.<br />
New information:<br />
Wortons<br />
Ponders End<br />
North London<br />
England<br />
Lionel Bradford, fellow collector,<br />
writes (spring 2000):<br />
Update<br />
Rackets manufactured:<br />
c. 1885:<br />
‘2’, convex, square head.<br />
Lelands.com: auction 2004<br />
Square headed racquet Wrinch &<br />
Sons was sold, claimed to be made in<br />
1874, the square head suggests,<br />
however, a later date c. 1885-90.<br />
Company:<br />
“The company commenced making<br />
rackets and hockey sticks in 1880. I<br />
have put this company in touch with<br />
Gerald Gurney and he is featuring them<br />
in The Tennis Collector next issue.”<br />
Excerpt from “The Tennis Collector”<br />
No. 39, summer 2000, page 14:<br />
Albert Worton, a table maker, started<br />
to produce rackets in 1880 copying a<br />
French tennis racket. They still<br />
produce rackets of wood (year 1983)<br />
on a small scale now in the fourth<br />
generation. Tom, son of Albert, stated<br />
during an interview in 1983:<br />
“We don’t deal with shops other than<br />
those of old friends. We don’t<br />
advertise ever. We make rackets<br />
second to none, at prices nobody can<br />
beat.”<br />
Comment: A company which made<br />
rackets for a longer period than<br />
probably any other company without<br />
being sold or merged in the course of<br />
time.<br />
Gerald Gurney has written to add:<br />
“Sadly, I have to report that Wortons,<br />
surely the last manufacturer of rackets<br />
‘in a shed at the bottom of the garden’,<br />
ceased business in 2000, and had a<br />
bonfire of all the remaining stock of<br />
unfinished rackets.”<br />
Rackets manufactured:<br />
c. 1883: (and to recent times)<br />
The Professional, wooden racket, oval<br />
face, standard size, produced for<br />
coaches.<br />
157
Book of Tennis Rackets German Rackets<br />
Update<br />
German Rackets<br />
Agartz, Wilhelm, Plauen/Saxony<br />
ASMü, Munich<br />
Balzer, Hamburg<br />
Becker, A.C. & Co./Gebr. Becker,<br />
Wiesbaden-Schierstein<br />
Beneke, Louis, Dresden<br />
Bohl, Eduard, Eisenach/Thuringia<br />
Bungert W., Düsseldorf<br />
Burke, Munich<br />
Deha, Chemnitz<br />
Demasius, Köln-Müngersdorf<br />
Deutscher Offizier Verein, Berlin<br />
Dick, Richard (Ridi), Markneukirchen<br />
Dorsch, Markneukirchen<br />
Ehrhardt, Villingen<br />
Ekert &Co., Hamburg<br />
Elos, ?<br />
Fechner, Hermann, Dresden<br />
Fischer Besaitungstechnik GmbH,<br />
Vilsbiburg/Bavaria<br />
Gandre O.F. (Spoli),<br />
Liebenstein/Thuringia<br />
Germina, - DDR -<br />
Gonschior, Görlitz-Leschwitz, Silesia<br />
Gordon, Dresden<br />
Gummer, H.J., Düsseldorf-Halthausen<br />
Halle, Theodor, Sohn, Braunschweig<br />
Hämmerer, Jul., Nachf.,<br />
Niederwiesa/Saxony<br />
Hammer, Gebr., Bad Mergentheim<br />
Hammer, Heinrich, Erbach/Ulm<br />
Hannemann Lamprecht, ?<br />
Hennel, Julius, Breslau/Silesia<br />
Hildburghausen,<br />
Hildburghausen/Thuringia<br />
Hilton, Düsseldorf?<br />
Hoppe u. Albrecht, Dresden<br />
Horaczek, Eltville a. Rhein<br />
Hoyer, Walter, Markneukirchen<br />
Jahn, Reinhard, Bad Suderode/Ostharz<br />
Kampfschulte, Solingen<br />
Kohlmey, Willy, Berlin<br />
Kondor, ?<br />
Kreuzer, Oskar, Frankfurt<br />
Kuebler & Co., Singen<br />
Küster Perry & Co., Frankfurt<br />
Lamprecht W.A., Berlin<br />
Leipziger Sportgeräte Werstätten “Herbu”,<br />
Leipzig<br />
Loden-Frey, Munich<br />
Lorenz, Berlin<br />
Luber, Anton, Munich<br />
Marschall, Wiesbaden<br />
Maxima, ?<br />
Mönnig, Herold, Markneukirchen<br />
Müller & Wimmer, Schlotheim/Thuringia<br />
Müller, Emil, Schlotheim/Thuringia<br />
Münziger, Hermann, Munich<br />
Najuch, Roman, GmbH, Berlin<br />
Orso, ?<br />
Peters, Carl, GmbH, Cologne<br />
Probst, ?<br />
Puma AG, Herzogenaurach<br />
Richter (Tennis Richter), probably Nürnberg<br />
Rogge, Karl, Greiffenberg/Silesia<br />
Roithner & Co., Hugo, Schweidnitz/Silesia<br />
Sayda, Sayda/Saxony<br />
Schimpke E., Leipzig<br />
Schrader, Willi, Markneukirchen<br />
Schröder & Kartzke, Dresden<br />
Steidel A., Berlin<br />
Steidel, Gustav, Berlin<br />
Steinberg & Co., Hamburg<br />
Sundei, Dresden<br />
Völkl, Franz, Straubing<br />
Wedemann, Carl, Arnstadt/Thuringia<br />
Wertheim GmbH, A., Berlin<br />
Winkler & Co., A., ?<br />
158
Book of Tennis Rackets German Rackets<br />
New information:<br />
Agartz, Wilhelm<br />
Plauen i. Vogtland<br />
Germany<br />
Update<br />
Company:<br />
Sporting goods dealer.<br />
Racket in the collection of Dr. H.<br />
Kerling:<br />
Klasse<br />
c. 1935<br />
On butt end to read Gebr. Hammer.<br />
The racket was made by this company<br />
Photos: courtesy Dr. Kerling.<br />
Additional information to page 66:<br />
ASMü<br />
Company:<br />
ASMü = Anton Schuster München<br />
Racket in the collection of Dr. H.<br />
Kerling:<br />
ASMü Spezial<br />
c. 1960/70<br />
Photos: courtesy Dr. Kerling.<br />
ASMü: ASMü Spezial, c. 1960/70<br />
159
Book of Tennis Rackets German Rackets<br />
New information:<br />
Balzer<br />
probably Hamburg<br />
Germany<br />
Company: Distribution of Sporting<br />
Goods<br />
Racket in the collection of Dr. H.<br />
Kerling:<br />
Additional information to page 88:<br />
Becker A.C. & Co.<br />
Gebr. Becker<br />
Germany<br />
All photos in this section courtesy<br />
Dr. Kerling<br />
Markings at butt end:<br />
Prior to 1932:<br />
A. C. Becker & Co.<br />
Update<br />
Rackets in the collection of Dr.<br />
Kerling:<br />
O.F.<br />
c. 1928<br />
Initials for Otto Froitzheim<br />
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia:<br />
Otto Froitzheim (born April<br />
24, 1884 in Strasbourg, Alsace - died<br />
October 29, 1962) was a German tennis<br />
player. At the 1908 Summer Olympics<br />
he won a silver medal in the men's<br />
singles tournament in London.<br />
He was able to win the International<br />
German Championship seven times<br />
(1909-1911, 1921-19<strong>22</strong> and again in<br />
1925). In 1912 he became Hard-Court<br />
World Champion.<br />
In the mid-1920’s he was engaged to<br />
Leni Riefenstahl. She was a famous<br />
photographer.<br />
From 1950 to 1957:<br />
a capital “B” at butt end<br />
From 1950 to 1957 additionally this<br />
logo in the heart region:<br />
Froitzheim won the final “Homburger<br />
Challenge Trophy” in 1909. Please<br />
note the “Doherty-coat” then in<br />
vogue.<br />
(From B. v. Reznicek: Tennis, das Spiel<br />
der Völker)<br />
Balzer: Majesty Extra, c. 1965<br />
160
Book of Tennis Rackets German Rackets<br />
Willy Hannemann was tennis pro in<br />
Germany. He was twice German tennis<br />
champion. He was also trainer of Cilly<br />
Aussem. She became the first German<br />
Wimbledon champion in 1931.<br />
Hannemann Sonderklasse A.C.<br />
c. 1930<br />
Hannemann Olympiade A.C.<br />
c. 1930<br />
Update<br />
Lord<br />
Laminated frame. 7-ply. Vulcan fibre<br />
insert or coloured wood. Reinforced<br />
shoulders. Shoulders painted white.<br />
Four bindings at each shoulder. Two<br />
wrappings at shaft. Leather wrapped<br />
handle. Gebr. Becker, Wiesbaden.<br />
Printed on the side of the frame: “Nur<br />
Rahmen von Gebr. Becker” i.e. frame<br />
only by Gebr. Becker. “B” at butt end.<br />
c. 1960<br />
A.C. Becker:<br />
Hannemann Sonderklasse, c. 1930<br />
Gebr. Becker: Lord, c. 1960<br />
A.C. Becker:<br />
O.F. Otto Froitzheim, c. 1928<br />
A.C. Becker:<br />
Hannemann Sonderklasse, c. 1930<br />
161
Book of Tennis Rackets German Rackets<br />
Please replace the existing table on<br />
page 93 with this revised table:<br />
Update<br />
162
Book of Tennis Rackets German Rackets<br />
New information:<br />
Beneke, Louis<br />
Dresden<br />
Germany<br />
Company: No information available<br />
Racket in the collection of Dr. H.<br />
Kerling:<br />
New information:<br />
Spiel- und Sporthaus<br />
Bohl, Eduard<br />
Eisennach (Thür.)<br />
Germany<br />
Company:<br />
Games and Sporting Goods with own<br />
rackets.<br />
Rackets distributed:<br />
1929:<br />
Wartburg, solid ash, concave.<br />
Photographs courtesy Dr. H. Kerling<br />
Update<br />
Additional information to page 101:<br />
Bungert, W. (Tennis)<br />
Düsseldorf<br />
Amendment:<br />
W. Bungert was finalist at Wimbledon<br />
in 1967 and not 1979. He also played<br />
for Germany in the Davis Cup Final in<br />
1970.<br />
Bungert states (in 2003):<br />
“My wholesale company sold rackets<br />
from 1968 to about 1990 with my name<br />
on them. The rackets were made in the<br />
Far East. Catalogues or records of all<br />
the names of my rackets do, however,<br />
not exist anymore.”<br />
New information:<br />
Burke<br />
Sole distributor for “T. P. Burke” brand<br />
tennis rackets in 1925:<br />
Stein & Co., GmbH<br />
München<br />
Eduard Bohl: Wartburg, c. 1929<br />
Company:<br />
T. P. Burke was champion of the<br />
professionals before the turn of the<br />
century. Later he worked as a pro in<br />
different countries.<br />
Rackets distributed by Stein & Co.:<br />
1925:<br />
Scientific<br />
From “Tennis & Golf”,<br />
1925, Heft 18<br />
Beneke: Champion, c. 1895<br />
163
Book of Tennis Rackets German Rackets<br />
Additional information to page 109:<br />
Clouth, Franz<br />
Update<br />
Rackets distributed:<br />
In the possession of Dr. Kerling<br />
Vichand, c. 19<strong>22</strong><br />
(Maybe the name Vichand relates to a<br />
known shadow-dancer in the 1920s).<br />
164
Book of Tennis Rackets German Rackets<br />
New information:<br />
Deha<br />
Julius Dietrich & Hannak<br />
Germany<br />
Hainstraße 100<br />
Chemnitz<br />
Germany<br />
Update<br />
Company:<br />
The company was founded in 1869. It<br />
produced all kinds of sporting goods<br />
and equipment for athletics grounds<br />
and sports fields. It also made<br />
collapsible boats (Faltboote). The<br />
scope of the company can be measured<br />
at the size of its catalogue of more<br />
than 100 pages (e.g. in 1933), new each<br />
year, describing its products.<br />
Brand names:<br />
Blizzard<br />
Deha<br />
Rackets manufactured:<br />
From an ad in “Tennis & Golf”, 1924,<br />
page 324:<br />
1924:<br />
Deha Sport<br />
Deha Extra<br />
(this information was provides by Dr.<br />
H. Kerling)<br />
1933:<br />
(from a catalogue in the possession of<br />
Dr. H. Kerling)<br />
Deha Trumpf RM 39.-<br />
Deha Extra RM 31.50.-<br />
Deha Primus RM 24.-<br />
Deha Record RM 15.75<br />
Deha Favorit RM 11.25<br />
Deha-factory c. 1935<br />
Dietrich & Hannak:<br />
Blizzard Turngeräte<br />
Dietrich & Hannak:<br />
Deha Sportgeräte Deha: Trumpf, c. 1935<br />
Racket in collection:<br />
Trumpf, solid frame rounded on the<br />
inside. Painted sycamore heart.<br />
Concave. Reinforced shoulders. Three<br />
bindings at each shoulder. One<br />
wrapping at shaft. Combed handle.<br />
c. 1935<br />
eBay auction 2007:<br />
Rekord, c. 1935<br />
165
Book of Tennis Rackets German Rackets<br />
New information:<br />
Demasius<br />
Köln-Müngersdorf<br />
Company:<br />
Georg Demasius was a well-known<br />
German tennis player. He was born in<br />
Riga (Latvia) in 1898. He was Davis<br />
Cup player for Germany in the match<br />
against Portugal in 1927. H. Kerling<br />
suggests that Demasius sold tennis<br />
rackets with his name as label.<br />
In 1928 he turned professional, moved<br />
to South Africa where he became<br />
teacher for the South African Tennis<br />
Union.<br />
Rackets in the collection of Dr. H.<br />
Kerling:<br />
Club, solid frame bevelled on the<br />
inside, concave, combed handle.<br />
Estimated 1926<br />
Rackets in the collection<br />
of S. Kuebler show the name<br />
Demasisus. The rackets were made by<br />
the French company Darsonval<br />
Louvet.<br />
Demasius, solid frame bevelled on the<br />
inside. Model made for the “Demasisus<br />
Köln Müngersdorf Clubhaus Stadion.<br />
c. 1924<br />
Darsonval Extra, ditto.<br />
Sold by: G.W. Demasius, Berlin.<br />
c. 1925<br />
Update<br />
Left: “Schorch” Demasius<br />
from B. von Reznicek, “Tennis. Das<br />
Spiel der Völker”.<br />
Demasius: Club, c. 1926<br />
166
Book of Tennis Rackets German Rackets<br />
Additional information to page 123:<br />
Deutscher Offizier Verein<br />
(German Officers’ Club)<br />
the name in the book was written incorrectly (Deutscher<br />
Offizieller Verein)<br />
Update<br />
Most of the following information and photos were<br />
provided by Dr. Kerling.<br />
Rackets in collections:<br />
D.O.V.<br />
Fellow collector Dr. Heiner Kerling has a D.O.V.<br />
(Deutscher Offizier Verein) convex heart racket in his<br />
collection estimated to be marketed between 1900 and<br />
1910. Its butt end shows the inscription “Jefferies”. It is<br />
most likely that the D.O.V. rackets were custom made by<br />
Jefferies to order for this club. The racket shows<br />
reinforcements in the heart region by means of inserted<br />
sheet metal strips extending about 5 cm into the shoulder<br />
parts of the racket.<br />
c. 1905<br />
D.O.V.: Marke D.O.V. Tournament c. 1913<br />
167
Book of Tennis Rackets German Rackets<br />
Update<br />
D.O.V.: Hurlingham - Handicap<br />
c. 1913<br />
DOV: Reinforcement of the<br />
heart region with a metal cap,<br />
printed on “Jefferies”. On<br />
the top rim of the racket:<br />
Handicap.<br />
c. 1912<br />
168
Book of Tennis Rackets German Rackets<br />
Update<br />
The Company 1888 - 1919:<br />
The “Deutscher Offizier Verein”<br />
(German society of army and navy<br />
officers) was founded in Berlin. One<br />
of its purposes was to provide a cheap<br />
source for its members to buy clothing<br />
(also uniforms) appliances, sporting<br />
goods amongst them tennis rackets<br />
and accessories.<br />
Rackets distributed:<br />
c. 1905:<br />
Handicap, made by Jefferies & Co.<br />
c. 1910:<br />
Handicap with metal reinforcement of<br />
the wedge, made by Jefferies & Co.<br />
1911 (From a catalogue of DOV. All<br />
rackets were made by Jefferies & Co.):<br />
City<br />
Corkhandle<br />
Fishtail<br />
Germania<br />
Handicap<br />
Handicap bound<br />
Prince<br />
Winner (with very close stringing)<br />
Balls: Jefferies Guarantee<br />
Page 9 of the “Sportkatalog” of the Deutscher Offizier Verein,<br />
1914 (in the possession of Dr. Kerling:<br />
1913 (From a catalogue of DOV. All<br />
rackets were made by Jefferies & Co.):<br />
City<br />
Corkhandle<br />
Dreadnought<br />
Fishtail<br />
Germania<br />
Handicap<br />
Handicap bound<br />
Hercules<br />
Prince<br />
Superbus<br />
Winner (with very close stringing)<br />
169
Book of Tennis Rackets German Rackets<br />
c. 1913:<br />
Handicap-Hurlingham, very close<br />
stringing, 36 mains, 33 crosses,<br />
probably made by Jefferies & Co. (The<br />
Hurlingham Club is an exclusive sports<br />
club in Fulham in southwest London,<br />
England, frequented by the social elite.)<br />
Update<br />
1914:<br />
Corkhandle, made by Jefferies & Co.<br />
Dreadnought, ditto<br />
Handicap, ditto<br />
Handicap bound, ditto<br />
Hercules, ditto<br />
Prince, ditto<br />
Winner, ditto<br />
Extra Klub Spezial, made by Gebr.<br />
Hammer<br />
Meteor, ditto<br />
Hammer Spezial, ditto<br />
Liebling, ditto<br />
Spezial, ditto<br />
Staubs Spezial, made by Richard Staub<br />
Staubs Best, ditto<br />
Drive, ditto<br />
Favorite, ditto<br />
Herta, ditto<br />
Smash, ditto<br />
Hexagon, probably made by F.A. Davis<br />
Germania, unknown German make<br />
DOV: The Prince, c. 1914<br />
with fantail handle.<br />
Courtesy: Dr. Kerling<br />
170
Book of Tennis Rackets German Rackets<br />
Additional information to page 124:<br />
Dick, Richard<br />
(Ridi)<br />
Markneukirchen, Saxony<br />
Germany<br />
Company:<br />
Amendment: Richard Dick did not<br />
manufacture his rackets himself but<br />
bought them from other racket<br />
manufacturers, which were located in<br />
the city of Markneukirchen. Dick also<br />
distributed strings of gut and of silk.<br />
He claimed that the gut strings offered<br />
(c. 1938) were the best available in<br />
Germany at the time.<br />
The silk strings were offered in four<br />
different qualities: with 1,1 mm dia,<br />
1,3 mm, 1,4 mm and 1,5 mm.<br />
Rackets manufactured:<br />
c. 1938:<br />
Start, RM 10,50<br />
Training, RM 15.-<br />
Update<br />
171
Book of Tennis Rackets German Rackets<br />
Additional information to page 136:<br />
Dorsch, Willy<br />
Rackets in the collection of Dr. H.<br />
Kerling:<br />
Dämon, c. 1950<br />
Meister, c. 1955<br />
Topspeed, c. 1960<br />
All photos were provided by Dr.<br />
Kerling.<br />
Update<br />
Additional information to page 153:<br />
Ehrhardt<br />
Amendment: The spelling is Ehrhardt<br />
and not Erhard.<br />
Racket in the collection of Dr. H.<br />
Kerling:<br />
Dorsch: Dämon, c. 1950<br />
Willy Dorsch: Meister, c. 1950, stylised fish logo on the backside of the<br />
racket (the German name Dorsch translated into English: cod-fish)<br />
Willy Dorsch: Topspeed, c. 1965<br />
Ehrhardt: Wimbledon, c. 1955<br />
172
Book of Tennis Rackets German Rackets<br />
Additional information to page 152:<br />
Eichwald<br />
Rackets in the collection of Dr. H.<br />
Kerling:<br />
Spezial, c. 1930<br />
Updated information to page 152:<br />
Ekert & Co<br />
C4 Dammtor 7544<br />
Ekert-Haus<br />
Hamburg 36<br />
Germany<br />
Company:<br />
Ekert & Co. was a wholesale dealer<br />
and a sporting goods shop in<br />
Hamburg with an affiliated store in<br />
Berlin, Friedrichstraße 235.<br />
“Liga” was a registered Trade Mark<br />
of the company showing a mermaid<br />
holding a sword.<br />
The company was founded in 1895.<br />
“Rudolf Mosse” was most likely the<br />
owner in 1928. His name appears on<br />
a letterhead of that year.<br />
New information:<br />
Elos<br />
Germany<br />
Update<br />
Racket in the collection of Dr. H.<br />
Kerling:<br />
Favorit, c.1930<br />
Comment of the author: There is a<br />
heraldic figure shown on the “Lido”<br />
racket of Eichwald (page 152 in the<br />
book) with the inscription “Elos”. The<br />
Favorit could very well be a racket<br />
made or distributed by Eichwald.<br />
Rackets distributed:<br />
1926:<br />
Liga Turnier I<br />
Liga Turnier II<br />
Liga Matador<br />
Eichwald: Spezial, c. 1930<br />
173
Book of Tennis Rackets German Rackets<br />
Additional information to page 157:<br />
Fechner, Hermann<br />
(contributed by Dr. Heiner Kerling)<br />
Rackets manufactured:<br />
Translation of an ad which appeared<br />
in “Jahrbuch des Deutschen Lawn<br />
Tennisbundes 1911/12”:<br />
Tennis racket Stelo, with a resilient<br />
covering of Vulcan Fibre. Utility<br />
Patent.<br />
Warranty: No breakages at shoulders,<br />
no warping, no splintering, no breakups<br />
at frame.<br />
Always tight tension. No wear of<br />
strings.<br />
Most durable and most elegant racket<br />
worldwide! Available in fine sporting<br />
goods stores. Please request<br />
addresses directly from the<br />
manufacturer Hermann Fechner,<br />
Sporting Goods and Sporting Gear,<br />
Dresden-N. 30. Ask also for our<br />
informative Stelo catalogue.<br />
Update<br />
HDF = Hermann Dresden Fechner<br />
Racket in a collection:<br />
(Dr. H. Kerling)<br />
Pallas, with a strip of aluminium<br />
around the upper part of the frame.<br />
c. 1912<br />
Wega,<br />
c. 1911<br />
Courtesy Dr. Kerling<br />
Left:<br />
Fechner: Wega, Stelo HDF,<br />
c. 1911<br />
Right:<br />
Fechner: Pallas, c. 1912<br />
(Photograph Dr. H. Kerling)<br />
174
Book of Tennis Rackets German Rackets<br />
New information: Please insert<br />
between page 166 and 167.<br />
Fischer Besaitungstechnik<br />
GmbH<br />
Werner Fischer<br />
Lichtenburgerstr. 13<br />
D 8113 Vilsbiburg<br />
Germany<br />
Update<br />
Company:<br />
The company was formed to market a<br />
new stringing system, which was<br />
invented by Werner Fischer, a<br />
gardener by profession, and who<br />
maintained a nursery in Vilsbiburg in<br />
Lower Bavaria. His invention<br />
revolutionized the tennis game due to<br />
the tremendous spin, which these<br />
strings could transfer to the ball. The<br />
International Tennis Federation<br />
banned such stringing in due course.<br />
It issued new rules specifying the<br />
construction of rackets including the<br />
strings and the allowed method of<br />
stringing in 1978. Those rules were<br />
introduced after seven centuries of<br />
having no rules on racket<br />
construction. Any kind of hitting tool<br />
could have been used, even a baseball<br />
bat if it had rendered satisfactory<br />
results to the player.<br />
Manufactured rackets:<br />
1977/1978<br />
W. Fischer, frame of extruded<br />
aluminium, heart of Nylon, foamed on<br />
grip. Made for Fischer by Kuebler +<br />
Co., Singen, Germany.<br />
This was the only racket Fischer<br />
distributed with his name on it and it<br />
is referred to as the “Original Fischer”<br />
racket.<br />
Werner Fischer and Siegfried Kuebler in 1977<br />
The almost unbelievable<br />
Story of the Fischer Double-<br />
Strung Racket (“double strings”)<br />
also referred to as the<br />
Vilsbiburger Strung Racket<br />
and in the US as the<br />
Spaghetti Strung Racket<br />
(“spaghetti strings”)<br />
Werner Fischer, horticulturalist and<br />
gardener from the small town of<br />
Vilsbiburg in Lower Bavaria, Germany,<br />
had a brilliant idea when he played<br />
tennis one day back in 1971. He was<br />
then a member of the first men’s team<br />
of the local tennis club “TC Grün-<br />
Weiss Vilsbiburg”.<br />
He knew that cutting the ball is a<br />
popular technique. However, it is a<br />
difficult art to perform and the spin<br />
eventually produced requires skill,<br />
effort and a lot of practice. The use of<br />
e.g. topspin, however, causes the ball,<br />
which might otherwise land out of the<br />
court, to drop and thus stay within<br />
the court, even though it may be<br />
travelling at high velocity.<br />
Could a special stringing pattern help<br />
the player to produce more spin in an<br />
easier way?<br />
He asked himself: why should the<br />
strings yield and flick back only in<br />
the direction of the ball? Why not<br />
also in a perpendicular direction when<br />
the ball is hit and the racket moves<br />
from down to up or vice versa?<br />
Certainly tests had been made already<br />
prior to his thoughts on the subject.<br />
Some had suggested not interweaving<br />
the main strings with the crosses. The<br />
main strings could even be on both<br />
sides of the crosses, on which they<br />
could slide when the ball grips them<br />
on an upward movement of the racket<br />
.Some spin could be produced in this<br />
way but it proved soon that the overall<br />
playing characteristics were unsatisfactory.<br />
He argued: if all main strings on the<br />
stratum on each side of the crosses<br />
could be interconnected with holding<br />
strings, the force at all main strings<br />
could be combined as a “unit”. Then<br />
each main string on the face would add<br />
to the spin momentum applied to the<br />
ball when leaving the racket.<br />
This idea was promising and he laid<br />
down his ideas in the German Patent<br />
No. P 2,143,255 of Aug. 28, 1971 (the<br />
corresponding US Patent was issued<br />
in Feb. 26, 1980, No. 4,190,249).<br />
The holding strings connecting the<br />
mains had knots at all intersections as<br />
seen on the close-up picture. They<br />
were impregnated with a synthetic adhesive<br />
in order not to become loose at<br />
175
Book of Tennis Rackets German Rackets<br />
ball impact. Further small extrusions<br />
were glued to the main strings. The<br />
knots and these extrusions gripped<br />
the ball on impact increasing the spin<br />
even more when it came off the racket.<br />
He covered the mains at the contact<br />
point with the crosses using cylindrical<br />
sheaths of Nylon 11 that is known<br />
for its excellent gliding properties in<br />
order to improve the gliding of the<br />
mains on the crosses.<br />
Rackets strung with all the measures<br />
pointed out, using common tensions<br />
All of Fischer’s men’s tennis team of<br />
his club (Müller, Osterhorn, Hufnagl,<br />
Kabisch, Fischer, Popp and Endres)<br />
used his racket and became experts on<br />
cutting. Up to this point they had no<br />
chance in the higher tennis leagues.<br />
But with their rackets they won and<br />
won and finally climbed up to the highest<br />
German Tennis League known as<br />
the “Bundesliga” in 1977.<br />
An unknown woman player, Ameli<br />
Ring 35 years of age, used in her racket<br />
Fischer’s Stringing System and was<br />
Update<br />
The International Tennis Federation<br />
was called in. It was well aware of the<br />
danger facing the traditional tennis<br />
game, since they had also received<br />
numerous reports from other sources<br />
regarding the new racket. The<br />
consensus was that the new stringing<br />
method imparted far more spin on the<br />
ball than had the conventional stringing<br />
pattern. Tournaments throughout<br />
the year, including the US Open,<br />
reported major upsets where topranked<br />
players lost matches to<br />
Close-up view of the strings of the W. Fischer Racket<br />
Close-up view of Fischer’s second invention<br />
on cross and main strings (<strong>22</strong> to 25<br />
kgs) produced an unbelievable spin<br />
even at the slightest upward (or downward)<br />
movement of the racket. On the<br />
court you could hear the “singing” of<br />
the spinning ball. The ball bounced<br />
off the ground erratically in a way<br />
completely unexpected by the player.<br />
Returning a ball was even difficult for<br />
an expert tennis player taking him time<br />
to adjust. Some never could. That was<br />
not tennis anymore! That was a<br />
different game!<br />
hence in the Women’s Final of<br />
Germany.<br />
Even Ilie Nastase, who had fallen back<br />
in recent years from the 10 top ranked<br />
players, had a come back by using a<br />
racket strung in this way. Fischer<br />
travelled with him from tournament to<br />
tournament promoting his racket.<br />
No one could understand the tennis<br />
world any more.<br />
The German Tennis Federation was<br />
appalled. What could be done to stop<br />
this madness?<br />
previously unranked players who used<br />
the double-strung racket. In 1978, after<br />
its own investigation, the ITF banned<br />
all “double-strung” rackets and<br />
defined, after seven centuries, the term<br />
tennis racket.<br />
The ITF ruling put an end to Fischer’s<br />
invention.<br />
Fischer has not been able to earn any<br />
money from his developments. Promotion<br />
was expensive. Everyone<br />
wanted to test his racket and only few<br />
paid him.<br />
176
Book of Tennis Rackets German Rackets<br />
In the past it proved that the strings<br />
did not last the way they should. The<br />
strings often broke when the racket<br />
was used by a hard hitter after only 15<br />
minutes use. It required, however, 2 to<br />
3 hours to string a racket by a professional<br />
stringer. The required materials,<br />
such as strings, the special sheaths,<br />
and the special glue for the extrusion<br />
on the Nylon strings (the extrusions<br />
did not come off during play which<br />
was amazing considering the difficulty<br />
of adhesives to Nylon) were expensive<br />
and he had spent a lot of money<br />
for development. He would have<br />
probably made more money by marketing<br />
this glue for Nylon, which was<br />
unmatched in its performance, and<br />
which he claimed to have developed<br />
himself.<br />
Fischer was not a man to give in. How<br />
could he bypass the ITF ban? He was<br />
of the impression that the ban only<br />
referred to “double-strung” rackets<br />
i.e. two main strata, one on each side<br />
of the cross strings positioned<br />
between these strata.<br />
And so he invented another stringing<br />
system. The main strings, now strung<br />
in only one plane but not interwoven<br />
with the crosses were connected now<br />
(instead with the knotted holding<br />
strings) with a Nylon tube. The cross<br />
stings were placed into this tube. The<br />
spin with this racket was still<br />
considerably better than that to be<br />
achieved with an ordinary strung<br />
racket but did not reach that of its<br />
predecessor.<br />
This invention dates from Dec. 10,<br />
1976, first applied for in Germany. The<br />
US Patent was issued in June 16, 1981,<br />
No. 4,273,331.<br />
Rackets strung in this way are rarely<br />
available to collectors since not many<br />
were made and sold.<br />
However, the ruling of the ITF<br />
specified that the strings of a racket<br />
had to be interwoven and therefore<br />
the ban applied also to his second<br />
invention.<br />
Fischer and his American Partners<br />
tried to sue the USLTA (United Lawn<br />
Tennis Association) unsuccessfully,<br />
which adopted of course the ITF<br />
ruling. This was the final end of<br />
Fischer’s excursion into the tennis<br />
world and he refused from then on<br />
Update<br />
even to give any interviews on the<br />
subject, instead returning to his<br />
former gardening business in hot<br />
houses.<br />
Looking at the pictures one has to<br />
agree that a double-strung racket is a<br />
beautiful piece of art. It is a sure thing<br />
that a serious collector of rackets<br />
wants to own one.<br />
The story behind it is intriguing.<br />
Many have asked how to string it and<br />
where they can get the proper<br />
materials. The original parts are of<br />
course not available.<br />
Even with the ban on this racket it still<br />
can be used for training purposes. It<br />
gives the player an enormous feeling<br />
of satisfaction to produce good<br />
topspin and slice. The acquired skill<br />
may be easily transferred to an ordinary<br />
racket.<br />
Hopefully this stringing technique will<br />
find its way to training camps some<br />
time in the future.<br />
Mr. Fischer deserves the credit to have<br />
made an invention, which revolutionized<br />
the game as no other invention in<br />
tennis so far.<br />
Strings on a Kuebler Plus 20 oversize<br />
aluminium racket, 1980<br />
Strings on a Kuebler Plus 40 oversize aluminium racket,<br />
1980<br />
177
Book of Tennis Rackets German Rackets<br />
Update<br />
Strings on a Kuebler Plus 40 oversize aluminium racket, 1980<br />
Fischer Besaitungstechnik:<br />
W. Fischer, 1977<br />
Strings on a Dunlop Maxply standard size laminated racket, 1980<br />
178
Book of Tennis Rackets German Rackets<br />
Please refer to the Patent Section in this Update for information on the granted<br />
US Patents.<br />
Update<br />
US Patent<br />
1980<br />
4,190,249<br />
Application filed May 5, 1977<br />
Foreign application priority data:<br />
Germany July 31, 1976<br />
Patented Feb. 26, 1980<br />
Tennis Racket and Method of Making Same<br />
17 claims<br />
Abstract: Tennis rackets and the like which are particularly adapted for<br />
transferring angular momentum to a ball, and methods for making such rackets.<br />
The rackets have a central strata of cross strings of particular arrangement and<br />
two outer strata of main strings which are laterally independent of the cross<br />
strings. The strings of the main string strata are provided with sheaths for<br />
engagement with the cross strings. The main string strata are further provided<br />
with position stabilized holding strings.<br />
Inventor: Fischer, Werner<br />
Lichtenburgerstrasse 13<br />
8313 Vilsbiburg, Germany<br />
US Patent<br />
1981<br />
4,273,331<br />
Application filed Dec. 8, 1977<br />
Foreign application priority data:<br />
Germany Dec. 10, 1976<br />
Patented June 16, 1981<br />
Tennis-Racket<br />
6 claims<br />
Abstract: Tennis rackets or the like having cross and longitudinal strings lying<br />
in parallel, adjacent planes in which slidingly mounted tubes are provided over<br />
the strings, and in which the tubes are fastened together at their respective<br />
points of intersection.<br />
Inventor: Fischer, Werner<br />
Lichtenburgerstrasse 13<br />
8313 Vilsbiburg, Germany<br />
179
Book of Tennis Rackets German Rackets<br />
Additional information to page 173:<br />
Gandre O.F.<br />
Liebenstein/Thuringia<br />
Germany<br />
Rackets in the collection of Dr. H.<br />
Kerling:<br />
Gibson Girl c. 1938<br />
Silkeborg c. 1938<br />
Triumph Extra c. 1950<br />
It is a good guess that Spoli was a<br />
successor company, possibly in W.<br />
Germany, to Gandre some time after<br />
WWII, since Liebenstein was located<br />
in the former “Democratic Republic”<br />
under Soviet influence. Spoli used<br />
the same design of the rackets and<br />
also the famous trademark with an<br />
eagle on top of the globe.<br />
Update<br />
The following racket was offered for<br />
auction at eBay between 2000 and<br />
2005 (Dr. H. Kerling):<br />
Hurricane (Spoli)<br />
c. 1960<br />
Remark: There are similarities in the<br />
throat area with the Dunlop Maxply.<br />
eBay 2007:<br />
Klasse, c. 1960<br />
Photographs courtesy Dr. H. Kerling<br />
Additional information to page 177:<br />
Germina<br />
The following racket was offered for<br />
auction at eBay between 2000 and 2005<br />
(Dr. H. Kerling):<br />
Meister<br />
c. 1968<br />
Gandre: Gibson Girl, c. 1938<br />
Spoli: Superdrive Tornado,<br />
c. 1960<br />
Germina: Meister, c. 1968<br />
eBay 2006 (Dr. H. Kerling):<br />
Dämon<br />
c. 1968<br />
Gandre: Silkeborg, c. 1938<br />
Spoli: Attache, c. 1960<br />
180
Book of Tennis Rackets German Rackets<br />
Additional information to page 178:<br />
Gonschior, Otto<br />
From an ad in “Tennis & Golf”, 1925,<br />
Heft 10:<br />
1925:<br />
Davis-Pokal<br />
also referred to as<br />
Gero-Davis-Pokal<br />
(Dr. H. Kerling)<br />
The following racket was offered for<br />
auction at eBay between 2000 and 2005<br />
(Dr. H. Kerling):<br />
Susanne<br />
c. 1929<br />
Additional information to page 178:<br />
Gordon, Johann<br />
Rackets in the collection of Dr. H.<br />
Kerling:<br />
New information:<br />
Gummer, H.J.<br />
Sportgerätefabrik<br />
Düsseldorf-Halthausen<br />
Germany<br />
Company:<br />
No information available.<br />
Update<br />
Rackets in a collection:<br />
Gummer, laminated, narrow neck,<br />
bindings around reinforced shoulders,<br />
leather wrapped handle. Concave.<br />
Estimated: 1938<br />
(this information was made available<br />
by fellow collector Dr. Heiner<br />
Kerling, from an eBay auction in<br />
2004.)<br />
Additional information to page 184:<br />
Halle, Theodor, Sohn<br />
Racket in the collection of Dr.<br />
Kerling:<br />
Marke Harz, c. 1910-20<br />
Trademark of “Roithner” at butt end.<br />
Gordon: National, c. 1925<br />
Halle: Marke Harz, c. 1910-20<br />
Gordon: Hochburg, c. 1935<br />
Please add to rackets manufactured:<br />
Record, c. 1926<br />
181
Book of Tennis Rackets German Rackets<br />
Additional information to page 184:<br />
Hämmerer, Jul., Nachf.<br />
Niederwiesa, Sachsen<br />
Germany<br />
Company:<br />
At the ad shown below it is stated that<br />
the company was founded in 1835.<br />
Strings for musical instruments and<br />
sutures for surgery were made. At<br />
the end of the 1920s Hämmerer<br />
advertised for the first time for its<br />
tennis rackets. It also provided a<br />
stringing service.<br />
Dr. Kerling provided the photographs<br />
Update<br />
The following racket was offered for<br />
auction at eBay between 2000 and 2005<br />
(Dr. H. Kerling):<br />
Extra<br />
c. 1928<br />
Hämmerer: Tempo, c. 1935<br />
Hämmerer: Götz, c. 1936<br />
Right: Julius Hämmerer, c. 1925<br />
Left: Hämmerer: Supra, c. 1929<br />
Tennis und Golf, 1931<br />
Letterhead of the Company (1912) . The Company was founded in 1835.<br />
182
Book of Tennis Rackets German Rackets<br />
Additional information to page 188:<br />
Hammer, Gebr.<br />
Bad Mergentheim/Württemberg<br />
Germany<br />
Update<br />
Please add to the table on page 188<br />
Deutschland c. 1912<br />
Klasse c.1925<br />
Rex, laminated frame, oval, combed<br />
handle, made from about 1929 to 1936<br />
in different designs.<br />
Special, c. 1924-1930<br />
Rex c. 1937<br />
Najuch Extra, c. 1950<br />
Gebr. Hammer: Perfekt, c. 1930<br />
Gebr. Hammer: Perfekt, c. 1935<br />
Gebr. Hammer: Record, c. 1936<br />
Gebr. Hammer: Rex, c. 1936<br />
“Extra Special” by Gebr. Hammer<br />
with a almost circular head, c. 1930<br />
This ad, provided by Dr. Kerling as<br />
well as all photos, appeared in “Die<br />
Dame” in 1913. The rackets of Hammer<br />
have been designed with a concave<br />
heart region already as early as 1912.<br />
183
Book of Tennis Rackets German Rackets<br />
Additional information to page 189-<br />
196:<br />
Hammer, Heinrich<br />
Erbach/Ulm a. Donau<br />
Germany<br />
Additional information to page 195:<br />
The Goerke Rollmatic described was<br />
made by Hammer according to US<br />
Patent 2 206 548 which was issued to<br />
Henry Goerke of New York, July 2,<br />
1940. For more details please refer to<br />
the Patent Section of this Update.<br />
The racket shown on page 195 is most<br />
likely the only finished racket made to<br />
this patent.<br />
Update<br />
Please add to the table on page 196:<br />
Klub, c. 1935<br />
Blau-Weiß-Spezial, c. 1937<br />
Klub Erickson, c. 1950<br />
Master Modell von Cramm,<br />
laminated frame, made about 1950.<br />
Gebr. Hammer: Najuch-Extra, c.1950<br />
Photodecal Picture Racket<br />
Collection: Dr. Kerling<br />
Please add to the table on page 188:<br />
Elite, c. 1926<br />
Heinrich Hammer: Klub, c. 1935<br />
Dr. H. Kerling provided a photograph<br />
of a racket “Kampffest” by H. Hammer<br />
with a distinctive almost circular head,<br />
c. 1934 (below), the pendant to the<br />
“Extra Special” by Gebr. Hammer.<br />
Heinrich Hammer: Master<br />
Modell von Cramm, c. 1950<br />
184
Book of Tennis Rackets German Rackets<br />
Additional information to page 250:<br />
Hannemann Lamprecht<br />
(Lamprecht - Hannemann)<br />
Germany<br />
Update<br />
Company:<br />
Willi Hannemann was as an amateur<br />
international master for indoor tennis<br />
in Germany and held master titles in<br />
other European countries. He was<br />
tennis pro for Cilly Aussem, who<br />
became the first German lady<br />
Wimbledon champion in 1931.<br />
Please consult also the section on<br />
W.A. Lamprecht on page 249 in the<br />
Book.<br />
Rackets in the collection of Dr. H.<br />
Kerling:<br />
Astor c. 1932<br />
Hannemann c. 1932<br />
Triumph c. 1932<br />
All photos courtesy Dr. Kerling<br />
Davis Cup, H&L Modell, c. 1938<br />
Hannemann Lamprecht:<br />
Triumph, c. 1932<br />
Hannemann Lamprecht:<br />
Triumph, c. 1932<br />
Hannemann Lamprecht: Hannemann,<br />
c. 1932<br />
Right:<br />
Hannemann Lamprecht: Astor,<br />
c. 1932<br />
New information:<br />
Hennel, Julius<br />
vormals C. Fuchs<br />
Breslau/Silesia<br />
Company:<br />
Probably a retailer.<br />
Rackets distributed:<br />
From an ad in “Der Lawn-Tennis-<br />
Sport”, Nr. 2, Jahrgang II, Berlin, Feb.<br />
2 1905.<br />
1905:<br />
Hennels Turnier, made only for Julius<br />
Hennel.<br />
(Dr. H. Kerling)<br />
185
Book of Tennis Rackets German Rackets<br />
Additional information to page 211:<br />
Hildburghausen<br />
Update<br />
Lawn Tennis Sets manufactured:<br />
No. A<br />
with two rackets Nr. 4, net, posts, 6 grey balls, one<br />
wooden box<br />
No. B<br />
with two rackets Nr. 5, net, posts, 6 white balls, one<br />
wooden box.<br />
No. C<br />
with four rackets Nr. 4, net, posts,12 grey balls, one<br />
wooden box.<br />
No. D<br />
with two rackets Nr. 5, net, posts, 12 white balls,<br />
one wooden box.<br />
No. E<br />
with two rackets Nr. 7, net, posts, 6 white balls, one<br />
wooden box.<br />
No. F<br />
with four rackets Nr. 7, net, posts, 12 white balls,<br />
one wooden box.<br />
Rackets manufactured:<br />
Please add:<br />
HH Nr. 6<br />
Racket in the collection of Dr. H. Kerling:<br />
H.H. Nr. 7<br />
c. 1900<br />
Hildburghausen: H.H. 7, c. 1900<br />
Hilton:<br />
Top-Star Professional, c. 1979<br />
Hilton: Mars (Quelle) Challenge,<br />
c. 1977<br />
Hilton: Mars (Quelle) Soft,<br />
c. 1977<br />
All Photographs: courtesy Dr. Kerling<br />
186
Book of Tennis Rackets German Rackets<br />
New information:<br />
Hilton<br />
Additional information to page 212:<br />
Hoppe u. Albrecht<br />
Update<br />
Company:<br />
Some of the rackets sold had imprinted:<br />
designed for Wilhelm Bungert. They<br />
were probably made by Snauwaert. H.<br />
Kerling suggests that Hilton was a<br />
distribution company set up by<br />
Snauwaert.<br />
The Hilton brand name for rackets<br />
had, however, nothing to do with W.<br />
Bungert (statement of W. Bungert in<br />
2003).<br />
The presumption of H. Kerling is<br />
underlined by the fact that Hilton<br />
rackets with the brand name Mars were<br />
offered in the main catalogues of<br />
Quelle in the 1970’s, then the largest<br />
mail order house in Germany.<br />
Dr. Kerling,<br />
has some Hilton rackets in his<br />
collection:<br />
late 1970’s:<br />
Top-Star Professional<br />
Two Star Golden Team<br />
“G”<br />
Pierre Barthes Autograph<br />
Mars – Soft<br />
Mars – Challenge<br />
Company:<br />
Please note that the company’s name<br />
changed from Hoppe to Hoppe u.<br />
Albrecht.<br />
Racket in the collection of Dr. H.<br />
Kerling:<br />
Sonderklasse c. 1935<br />
Primus c. 1936<br />
The following racket was offered for<br />
auction at eBay between 2000 and<br />
2005 (Dr. H. Kerling):<br />
Sieger<br />
c. 1937<br />
Hoppe u. Albrecht: Prmus, c.1936<br />
Hoppe: Sonderklasse, c.1935<br />
187
Book of Tennis Rackets German Rackets<br />
Additional information to<br />
page 212:<br />
Horaczek<br />
Update<br />
Rackets in the collection<br />
of Dr. H. Kerling:<br />
Maxrud, c. 1932<br />
Präsident, c. 1932 (Paul<br />
Horaczek)<br />
Protos Extra, c.1933<br />
Kuebler collection:<br />
Rheinperle, c. 1933<br />
IT 666, c. 1936<br />
Berolina, c. 1937<br />
Blau weiß, c. 1937<br />
From an ad in “Tennis &<br />
Golf”, Jahrgang 1925, we<br />
can conclude that the<br />
company Ph. Horaczek<br />
produced tennis rackets<br />
already prior to 1925.<br />
Advertised in “Tennis<br />
und Golf”, 1925:<br />
Protos<br />
Rheingold<br />
Horaczek<br />
Fendler (a popular tennis<br />
pro)<br />
Eltville<br />
Horaczek: Triumph, c. 1933, Kuebler<br />
collection<br />
The following racket was<br />
offered for auction at<br />
eBay between 2000 and<br />
2005 (Dr. H. Kerling):<br />
Record, c. 1933<br />
Horaczek: Turnier, c. 1933<br />
(lettering of “Turnier” is identical to<br />
the lettering of the “Hoyer Turnier”<br />
racket. Photos Dr. Kerling.<br />
Horaczek: Protos Extra, c. 1925<br />
(the company’s name is not shown)<br />
188
Book of Tennis Rackets German Rackets<br />
Additional information to page 214:<br />
Hoyer, Walter/<br />
C. A. Hoyer<br />
Update<br />
Rackets in the collection of Dr. H.<br />
Kerling:<br />
Prima, c. 1930<br />
Sieger c. 1935<br />
Turnier, c. 1935<br />
eBay auction 2006:<br />
Spezial, c. 1935<br />
Photographs courtesy Dr, Kerling<br />
C.A. Hoyer; Prima, c. 1930<br />
Walter Hoyer: Sieger c. 1935<br />
Hoyer: Turnier, c. 1935<br />
189
Book of Tennis Rackets German Rackets<br />
Additional information to page 217:<br />
Jahn, Reinhard<br />
Holzwarenfabrik<br />
Bad Suderode (Ostharz)<br />
Germany<br />
Update<br />
Company:<br />
Manufacturer of all kinds of<br />
appliances made of wood, such as<br />
chairs, beds, benches, sleds, skis etc.<br />
In the catalogue mentioned below it is<br />
stated that the company looks back to<br />
a tradition of 100 years. Founded<br />
therefore c. 1837.<br />
Rackets manufactured:<br />
From a catalogue dated 1937 in the<br />
possession of Dr. H. Kerling:<br />
1937:<br />
Gigant, frame of solid ash or laminated<br />
frame with 4 to 5 plies.<br />
Rackets made in the price range from<br />
RM 5,50 to RM 25.-<br />
Factory of Reinhard Jahn, c. 1937<br />
Dr. H. Kerling suggests that JRS shown in the logo of the company (photograph<br />
on page 217 in the Book) stand for the initial letters of Jahn Reinhard<br />
Suderode.<br />
Additional information to page <strong>22</strong>3:<br />
Kampfschulte Dr. W. AG<br />
New information:<br />
Kohlmey, Willy<br />
Sporthaus<br />
Berlin<br />
Company:<br />
Probably a retailer with an own brand.<br />
Wiko from Willy Kohlmey.<br />
Rackets in a collection:<br />
Special, ‘Wiko’, solid ash, concave,<br />
bindings on shoulders, combed<br />
handle.<br />
H. Kerling guesses that this racket<br />
was made by Gebr. Hammer for<br />
Kohlmey.<br />
Estimated: 1927<br />
(from an eBay auction in 2004.)<br />
Ad in “Tennis und Golf”, page 107,<br />
1931<br />
Kampfschulte: Close-up photography<br />
of the Elektron Silber, c. 1931<br />
190
Book of Tennis Rackets German Rackets<br />
Additional information to page 237:<br />
Kondor<br />
Photograph courtesy Dr. H. Kerling<br />
Kondor: Match c. 1928<br />
Racket in a collection, from an eBay<br />
auction 2004:<br />
Diamant<br />
Estimated: 1930<br />
(Dr. H. Kerling)<br />
New information:<br />
Kreuzer & Co, Oskar<br />
Kommandit Gesellschaft<br />
Frankfurt a. M.<br />
Moselstr. 4<br />
Company:<br />
Oskar Kreuzer was a well-known tennis<br />
player in Germany around 1910.<br />
He was member of the famous Lawn-<br />
Tennis Club Rot-Weiß Berlin and he<br />
won the Bronze Medal for Germany at<br />
the Olympic games in Stockholm in<br />
1912.<br />
He started with a partner to sell<br />
sporting goods like tennis rackets,<br />
tennis shoes, equipment for hockey<br />
and football as a retailer in later years.<br />
In an ad, which appeared in “Tennis”,<br />
Jahrgang 1, 1921, Heft 2, page 28, the<br />
company claimed that most of the<br />
important championships in Germany<br />
were won by players using “Kreuzer”<br />
rackets.<br />
Much earlier in c. 1910 the F.A. Davis<br />
Company, London, made and<br />
distributed a racket “Oscar Kreuzer”<br />
(in the Book on Page 115, F.A. Davis).<br />
Update<br />
1921:<br />
Gilde, with the description<br />
‘Sechskant’, probably meaning a sixsided<br />
handle.<br />
Sieg, concave<br />
Oko, convex<br />
1924:<br />
From an ad in “Tennis & Golf”, 1924,<br />
page 405:<br />
Sieg<br />
Oko<br />
Altmeister<br />
Pitt<br />
Fox<br />
Racket in a collection:<br />
(Dr. H. Kerling)<br />
Oko<br />
c. 1925<br />
Rackets distributed:<br />
From an ad in “Tennis”, Jahrgang 1,<br />
1921, Heft 2, page 28.<br />
Kreuzer: Oko, c. 1925<br />
(Photographs Dr. H. Kerling)<br />
From an ad in “Tennis &<br />
Golf”, 1925.<br />
Most of this information was<br />
contributed by Dr. H. Kerling<br />
191
Book of Tennis Rackets German Rackets<br />
Additional information to page 237:<br />
Kuebler & Co.<br />
Company:<br />
The original company, founded 1971,<br />
went out of business in 2004. The<br />
premises in Singen were sold to a<br />
furniture company, which plans to<br />
expand in this area. Gebrüder Hammig<br />
(please refer to page 197), sole<br />
distributor for all Kuebler rackets since<br />
1976, acquired the “Kuebler” brand<br />
name and sells Kuebler rackets, now<br />
made in China, at a modest scale to its<br />
long-time costumers.<br />
Rackets manufactured:<br />
1992:<br />
Inertial Light<br />
Midsize. „Testwinner Stiftung Warentest<br />
(Juni 93)”. Shock trap filled with<br />
Silicon rubber. Colour: red/blue.<br />
Widebody Light<br />
Oversize. Shocktrap. Blue/red.<br />
Highest section in the centre: 38 mm.<br />
Classic<br />
Oversize. Red and blue. According to<br />
German Patent 34 34 989.<br />
1998:<br />
Big Point 125<br />
Graphite fibres 100% embedded in<br />
epoxy. Inside channel grove. Bigsize.<br />
Velvet painted in grey.<br />
Top Eleven<br />
Composite racket. Midsize. Body<br />
covered with a Nylon foil. Technical<br />
properties of this racket were averaged<br />
to match those of the rackets used by<br />
the top players of the world (see table<br />
at the end of this chapter).<br />
Stealth 110<br />
Oversize. Black eye evasive Stealth<br />
Titanium paint. Shocktrap. Resonance<br />
System, Inertial System. US Pat.<br />
4664380, 4768786, 5110126. German Pat.<br />
3434956 and 3702197.<br />
Big Point 105<br />
Midsize. Velvet type grey painted.<br />
With an acceleration channel.<br />
Update<br />
1993:<br />
Widebody Classic<br />
Oversize. Gold/blue/red. Highest<br />
section in the centre: 38 mm.<br />
1995:<br />
Inertial Light<br />
Graphite fibres. Glossy painted. Red,<br />
blue, silver. Shocktrap.<br />
Inertial Light Pro<br />
Midsize. Red, blue, silver. Shocktrap.<br />
Widebody Light Pro<br />
Midsize. Blue and bronze. Shocktrap.<br />
1996:<br />
Easy Play Comfort<br />
Oversize. Red. Longsize 71 cm ( 28").<br />
Comfort Grip 2,5 mm thick.<br />
Top Ten<br />
Composite racket. Midsize. Black.<br />
Physical properties of the top ten<br />
players averaged.<br />
Top Twenty<br />
Composite racket. Midsize-Plus.Body<br />
covered with a Nylon foil. Physical<br />
properties of the top twenty players<br />
averaged.<br />
1999 to 2003:<br />
Big Point 105 Quarz<br />
Midsize Plus. Velvet type grey painted.<br />
With an acceleration channel. Quarz<br />
damping elements under bumper<br />
guard. Pitch fibres were used.<br />
Big Point 125 Quarz<br />
Bigsize. Velvet type grey painted. With<br />
an acceleration channel. Quarz<br />
damping elements under bumper<br />
guard. Pitch fibres were used.<br />
This was the last development by<br />
Siegfried Kuebler and the last racket<br />
made in the factory in Singen/Germany.<br />
It had outstanding features, which are<br />
described in a brochure, part of which<br />
is shown on the following pages.<br />
1997:<br />
Easy Play Longsize<br />
Oversize. Green. Longsize 73 cm (29").<br />
Shocktrap.<br />
192
Book of Tennis Rackets German Rackets<br />
The last racket made in the Kuebler factory in Singen/Germany:<br />
BIG POINT 125 Quarz with Pitch Fibres<br />
Update<br />
3<br />
1 2<br />
4<br />
The Sweetspot<br />
An old wooden racket (1) has a<br />
small sweetspot in the wrong<br />
place. An oversized racket (2) has<br />
a bigger sweetspot but still not in<br />
the centre of the strung area. An<br />
oversized lighter racket (3) with<br />
its weight concentrated in the<br />
head area has a big sweetspot in<br />
the right place.<br />
A big sized racket (4), lighter than<br />
the former one, and with a similar<br />
weight distribution and 3,5 cm<br />
longer, shows the biggest<br />
sweetspot of all these design<br />
principles in the preferred place:<br />
in the centre of the strung area.<br />
This is the design principle of the<br />
Big Point 125 Quarz.<br />
5<br />
6<br />
Resonance principle,<br />
the way Widebody Rackets<br />
should work, when constructed<br />
correctly.<br />
An ordinary racket (5) deflects<br />
considerably when hit by a ball. It<br />
is not fast enough to return to a<br />
straight position. The ball leaves<br />
the strings in a deviated direction.<br />
A Resonance Racket (6), however,<br />
owing to its thickness in the<br />
centre and by using fibres with<br />
extraordinary strength, is much<br />
faster and returns to a straight<br />
position at the same moment when<br />
the ball leaves the strings. There<br />
is no deviation in the direction of<br />
the returning ball. This principle<br />
is applied for the Big Point 125<br />
Quarz.<br />
193
Book of Tennis Rackets German Rackets<br />
7 8<br />
Update<br />
Quarz sand damping system<br />
Capsules filled with sand are<br />
located underneath the bumper<br />
guard (7) not visible for the eye.<br />
The sand moves back and forth<br />
at impact of the ball, deforming<br />
itself elastically (8) thus<br />
reducing vibrations<br />
considerably. This process is<br />
not audible for the player’s ears.<br />
This principle is applied for the<br />
Big Point 125 Quarz.<br />
Air resistance<br />
The design of the Big Point 125 Quarz<br />
incorporates an acceleration channel (10), which<br />
reduces the air resistance of the frame head<br />
when swinging.<br />
9 10<br />
;;<br />
;;<br />
;;;;;<br />
;;<br />
11 12<br />
Pitch Fibres<br />
The modulus of elasticity is shown on graph (11). The pitch fibres are placed at the top and the<br />
bottom of the profile (12) of the frame. This construction is used for the Big Point 125 Quarz.<br />
194
Book of Tennis Rackets German Rackets<br />
13<br />
Update<br />
The profile of the racket frame<br />
The best shape of a racket with the strongest properties and the<br />
least vibrations is with the thickest section at its centre (13). A<br />
bridge is designed in a similar way using the same principle.<br />
This is also the design principle for the Big Point 125 Quarz.<br />
14<br />
Mass distribution<br />
The mass distribution along the axis of a racket is of the utmost<br />
importance, since it defines the location of the sweet spot, which<br />
should be located in the centre of the strung area. This is achieved<br />
by the weight of the sand filled capsules and an additional weight<br />
at the butt end thus forming a so-called “stabilizing triangle” (14).<br />
This system is used for the Big Point 125 Quarz.<br />
The following listed Kuebler rackets<br />
were made in China and distributed by<br />
Gebrüder Hammig:<br />
2002:<br />
Easy Play 100<br />
Midsize. Glossy painted in silver,<br />
black and red. Flat beam. Shown on<br />
racket: Titanium, Kuebler High Tech<br />
Rackets.<br />
Easy Play 110<br />
Oversize. Glossy painted in silver,<br />
black and blue. Flat beam.<br />
Big Point 100<br />
Midsize. Glossy painted in white, grey<br />
and gold.<br />
Big Point 115<br />
Oversize. Glossy painted in white,<br />
grey and silver. Flat beam.<br />
2003:<br />
Tournament 110<br />
Oversize. Glossy painted in black, red<br />
and silver.<br />
Easy Play 105<br />
Oversize. Flat beam frame. Glossy<br />
painted in black, red and silver.<br />
Easy Play 110<br />
Oversize. Widebody frame. Glossy<br />
painted in black, blue and silver.<br />
Professional110<br />
Oversize. Widebody frame. Glossy<br />
painted in black, blue and silver.<br />
Big Point 105+<br />
Oversize. Flat beam frame. Glossy<br />
painted in grey, gold and white.<br />
Big Point 120<br />
Oversize. Flat beam frame. Glossy<br />
painted in grey, silver and white.<br />
2004:<br />
Clubstar 100<br />
Oversize. Widebody frame. Glossy<br />
painted in black, gold and silver.<br />
Clubstar 110<br />
195<br />
Oversize. Widebody frame. Glossy<br />
painted in black, blue and silver.<br />
Tournament 105<br />
Oversize. Glossy painted in black, blue<br />
and white.<br />
2007:<br />
Pro Tour Mid<br />
Midsize. Flat beam. Glossy painted in<br />
red and white.
Book of Tennis Rackets German Rackets<br />
Update<br />
The rackets of the worlds top players 1998<br />
Data compiled from articles in magazines, from photos and tournaments, where Siegfried Schwank, master stringer, strung rackets for the champions.<br />
Player Manufacturer Racket Model cm 2 main cross main cross weight weight type of string balance swing- RAkgs<br />
kgs No. No. unstr. strung dia. in mm unstr. strung weight value<br />
Agassi, Andre Head Radical Tour Agassi 690 28,5 28,5 20 21 348 366 Megalife 140, syn. 32,5 33,5 123 62<br />
Becker, Boris Head(Puma) Becker World Champ. 600 30 28 16 18 340 358 VS Natur 1.27, gut 32 33 118 62<br />
Berasatgui, Alberto Head Prestige Tour 600 25 23 18 20 345 363 Polystar 1.30, syn. 31,2 32 117 62<br />
Bjorkman, Jonas Wilson Pro Staff 6.1 Strech 613 28 28 18 20 345 363 VS Power 1.25, gut 31,5 32,5 118 69<br />
Bruguera, Sergi Yonex RD 7 640 24 <strong>22</strong> 16 19 324 342 VS Power 1.30, gut 30,8 31,8 109 62<br />
Chang, Michael Prince M. Chang OS 690 29 29 16 19 345 365 VS Control 1.35, gut 31,5 32,5 119 63<br />
Corretja, Alex Wilson Pro Staff 6.1 Stretch 613 30 29 18 20 340 358 VS Power 1.30, gut 32 33 118 69<br />
Costa, Albert Prince Precision Graphite 630 24 24 14 18 330 348 Big Banger 1.35, syn. 31,5 32,5 113 70<br />
Enqvist, Thomas Prince Precision Graphite 640 28 28 16 20 350 368 VS Power 1.30, gut 30,5 31,5 116 66<br />
Henman, Tim Slazenger Phantom Braided 630 28 28 16 19 327 345 VS Power 1.27, gut 33,5 34,5 119 65<br />
Ivanisevic, Goran Head Prestige Classic 600 24 23 18 20 360 378 VS Power 1.30, gut 31,5 32,5 123 60<br />
Kafelnikov, Yevg. Fischer Vacuum Pro 98 630 28 28 16 20 352 370 VS Power 1.25, gut 31,5 32,5 120 62<br />
Korda, Petr Völkl C 10 Pro 630 25 23 16 19 336 354 VS Power 1.30, gut 32 33 117 62<br />
Krajicek, Richard Yonex Super RD Tour 90 600 28 28 16 18 362 380 VS Power 1.25, gut 30,2 31,2 119 65<br />
Kuerten, Gustavo Head Premier Tour 600 630 28 26 16 18 338 356 Big Banger 1.<strong>22</strong>, syn. 31,2 32,2 115 67<br />
Mantilla, Felix Völkl C 10 Pro 630 29 28 16 19 312 330 Big Banger 1.35, syn. 33 34 112 62<br />
Martin, Todd Wilson Hammer 6.2 645 30 28 16 20 342 360 VS Control 1.35, gut 32,5 33,5 121 70<br />
Medvedev, Andre Prince Precision Graphite 640 27 27 16 20 352 370 Tecnifibre 625, syn. 32,2 33 1<strong>22</strong> 69<br />
Moya, Carlos Babolat Drive Soft 630 25 25 16 19 302 320 Polymono 1.30, syn. 36 37 118 63<br />
Muster, Thomas Kneissl Tom’s Mach. Reach 635 39 39 18 20 362 380 lsospeed 1.20, syn. 31,5 32,5 124 69<br />
Philippoussis, Mark Dunlop Revelation 200G MS 615 34 34 18 20 352 370 VS Power 1.30, gut 32 33 1<strong>22</strong> 63<br />
Pioline, Cedric Head Radical Tour 630 630 29 28 18 20 355 373 VS Power 1.30, gut 32,2 33,2 124 63<br />
Rafter, Patrick Prince Precision Response 660 31,5 31,5 16 20 344 362 VS Power 1.25, gut 31,8 32,8 119 68<br />
Rios, Marcelo Yonex Super RD Tour 95 613 31 31 16 18 356 374 VS Control 1.35 , gut 31,5 32,5 1<strong>22</strong> 60<br />
Rusedski, Greg Wilson Pro Staff 6.1 613 23 23 18 20 342 360 VS Power 1.30, gut 31,7 32,7 118 70<br />
Sampras, Pete Wilson Pro Staff 6.0 Mid 600 33 33 16 18 372 390 VS Power 1.20, gut 32,3 33,3 130 68<br />
Patents:<br />
No. 4 021 881<br />
Filed July 11, 1989<br />
Accepted Jan. 24, 1991<br />
German Patent<br />
Racket for games with an elastic ball,<br />
in particular tennis racket<br />
Abbreviated claim: ...racket with a total<br />
weight of 300 to 420 grams, a total<br />
overall length of 650 to 720 mm, a<br />
balance point of 300 to 350 mm<br />
measured from the butt end and a free<br />
frequency in the first order along its<br />
longitudinal axis between 400 and 1000<br />
cycles per second ...<br />
No. G 91 01 139.6<br />
Filed Feb. 1, 1991<br />
Accepted Feb.2, 1991<br />
German utility patent<br />
Racket for ball games, in particular<br />
tennis racket<br />
Abbreviated claim: ...removable,<br />
transparent lens at the butt end...<br />
No. P 43 27 329.7 and<br />
G 93 20 899.5<br />
Filed Aug. 13, 1993<br />
German Patent<br />
String for a racket for ball games<br />
Abbreviated claim: ...a string of a<br />
suitable material such as polyamide or<br />
polyester covered thinly with a low<br />
melting plastic material the melting<br />
point of which lays in the<br />
neighbourhood of 80 to 130°C. This<br />
cover melts at contact with the ball<br />
especially when it spins making the<br />
stringing bed rougher all the time thus<br />
producing even more spin to the ball...<br />
The technical values of the rackets of these champions were averaged and<br />
used to design the Top Eleven introduced in 1998.<br />
196
Book of Tennis Rackets German Rackets<br />
Additional information to page 246:<br />
Küster Perry & Co. Nachf.<br />
Frankfurt am Main<br />
Kaiserstraße 27 and<br />
Neue Mainzerstraße 27<br />
Lettering on a Küster Perry racket<br />
“Practice”, c. 1893<br />
Update<br />
From a price list of Küster Perry dated<br />
1900 and a catalogue from 1910 both in<br />
the possession of Dr. Kerling.<br />
Company:<br />
The company (most likely without the<br />
Perry name until 1892) sold tennis<br />
rackets since 1876 in Germany. All<br />
rackets were imported from England<br />
(at least until 1910). Probably after<br />
about 1900, it added “Mass” rackets<br />
imported from France. It sold besides<br />
its own brands Ayres, Davis,<br />
Slazenger and Prosser rackets, to name<br />
the most important ones.<br />
The company was the sole agent in<br />
Germany for the famous Tate racket,<br />
which was more than twice as<br />
expensive as the other best<br />
comparable English brand-rackets. It<br />
also sold complete lawn tennis sets,<br />
which were made especially for the<br />
Küster Perry Company in England.<br />
Rackets distributed with its own name<br />
in letters often laid out in gold.<br />
1900:<br />
Champion<br />
Remark: most widely sold racket in<br />
Germany at that time<br />
Selected<br />
Crown Imperial<br />
Practice (No. 47)<br />
Salisbury (No. 12)<br />
Salisbury (No. 26) with cork coverings<br />
at the handle.<br />
1910:<br />
Champion<br />
Practice<br />
Ready<br />
Special<br />
Strong<br />
Club F<br />
Empress<br />
Perfect<br />
Star<br />
Superior<br />
Mass & Cie.: Racket sold by Küster<br />
Perry, c. 1905, collection Dr. Kerling<br />
Küster Perry: Complete Lawn Tennis set, c. 1900<br />
197
Book of Tennis Rackets German Rackets<br />
Additional information to page 249:<br />
Lamprecht, W.A.<br />
Address:<br />
Hohenstaufenstr. 65<br />
Berlin W 30 (c. 19<strong>22</strong>)<br />
Germany<br />
Update<br />
Racket in the Kuebler collection:<br />
Douglas<br />
Solid frame. Concave. Two bindings at<br />
shoulder. Reinforced shoulders. Probably<br />
walnut. Mahogany heart. Sycamore<br />
shingles. Combed handle. Handle with deep<br />
grooves. Butt leather. Brass screw. On Racket:<br />
W.A. Lamprecht, Remark: Possibly<br />
English made. Double centre mains.<br />
c. 1928<br />
Lamprecht: Douglas Kuebler collection, c. 1928<br />
Lamprecht: Douglas Dr. Kerling collection, c. 1925<br />
Ad c. 19<strong>22</strong><br />
198
Book of Tennis Rackets German Rackets<br />
Additional information to page 253:<br />
Leipziger Sportgeräte<br />
Werkstätten “Herbu”<br />
(the following information was made<br />
available by fellow collector Dr.<br />
Heiner Kerling. Source: summer<br />
catalogue 1928 of the company)<br />
Company:<br />
Manufacturer of all kinds of sporting<br />
goods. “Herbu” was their trade mark,<br />
well known in Germany.<br />
The following sporting goods (most<br />
of them with the trademark “Herbu”)<br />
were offered in a catalogue of the<br />
company, in 1928:<br />
Tennis rackets and balls, tennis referee<br />
stools, nets, poles and other tennis<br />
accessories, ping-pong tables, bats<br />
and balls, hockey and ice hockey<br />
sticks, snow shoes, skis and ski sticks,<br />
sleds, baseball bats, folding boats,<br />
paddles and gym gear.<br />
Rackets manufactured:<br />
1928:<br />
Herbu-Germania, Nr. 51, laminated<br />
with three plies. Centre line – dark.<br />
Handle – hollow construction to make<br />
it lighter.<br />
Herbu-Saxonia, Nr. 52, laminated with<br />
three plies. Centre line dark.<br />
Herbu-Lipsia, Nr. 53, solid ash<br />
Herbu-Afrania, Nr. 54, solid ash<br />
Herbu-Jugend, Nr. 56, solid ash for<br />
teens<br />
New information:<br />
Loden-Frey<br />
Munich<br />
Germany<br />
Update<br />
Company:<br />
A famous company situated in Munich<br />
known for its traditional “Loden”<br />
apparel made of wool, especially coats<br />
and hats. At some time it distributed<br />
rackets with its name on them.<br />
Rackets distributed:<br />
From a catalogue dated from the late<br />
1930’s in the possession of Dr. H.<br />
Kerling:<br />
c. 1937:<br />
Juwel<br />
Superior<br />
Gigant<br />
Marschall<br />
Balls:<br />
Loden-Frey<br />
Herbu: Afrania, c. 1928<br />
199
Book of Tennis Rackets German Rackets<br />
Additional information to page 255:<br />
Lorenz, Ludwig<br />
Regensburger Straße 16<br />
Berlin W 50<br />
Update<br />
Company:<br />
Lorenz was for many years the sole sales agent in<br />
Germany for SAIL, one of the leading Italian racket<br />
manufacturers dealt with in the Italian section of<br />
this update. He also sold rackets with his name<br />
Lorenz on them. Maybe they were made by the<br />
SAIL Company.<br />
Ludwig Lorenz designed and installed tennis<br />
courts. His partner was E. Burger located in Mainz.<br />
In one of the ads which appeared in “Tennis und<br />
Golf” in 1931 it is pretended that almost half of all<br />
registered men tennis players in Germany prefer<br />
SAIL-Lorenz rackets which are strung with Bobstrings<br />
made by Babolat & Maillot, Lyon, France.<br />
Tennis und Golf, page 651, 1931<br />
Racket in the collection of Dr. H. Kerling:<br />
Nova Superb, laminated frame.<br />
c. 1939<br />
Tennis und Golf, page 255, 1931<br />
Tennis und Golf, page 245, 1931<br />
Left and below: Lorenz: Nova Superb, c.1939<br />
200
Book of Tennis Rackets German Rackets<br />
New information:<br />
Luber, Anton<br />
Gummiwarenfabrik<br />
Lindwurmstr. 88<br />
Munich<br />
Germany<br />
Update<br />
Tennis balls manufactured:<br />
1921:<br />
Interesting to note:<br />
The balls were offered in different<br />
sizes starting from 2” in diameter to 3”.<br />
Right side: This text was offered for auction at eBay<br />
between 2000 and 2005 (Dr. H. Kerling):<br />
New information:<br />
Marschall<br />
Wiesbaden<br />
Germany<br />
Company: No information available<br />
Photographs courtesy Dr. H. Kerling<br />
Rackets Manufactured:<br />
Junior c. 1932<br />
Maxima:<br />
Record, c. 1935<br />
New information:<br />
Maxima<br />
Germany<br />
Company: No information available<br />
Photographs courtesy Dr. H. Kerling<br />
)<br />
Marschall: Boy, c. 1932<br />
201
Book of Tennis Rackets German Rackets<br />
Additional information to page 267:<br />
Please change the company’s name<br />
from Herold on page 211 to<br />
Mönnig, Herold<br />
Herold Mönnig Saiten- und Catgutfabrik<br />
Markneukirchen i. Sachsen<br />
Germany<br />
(this information was made available<br />
by fellow collector Dr. Kerling)<br />
Company:<br />
The first name Herold was used as a<br />
trademark of the company. It showed<br />
a seal with a capital M in the centre,<br />
standing for Mönnig. Delete “Herold”<br />
as a separate company shown on page<br />
211.<br />
The area around the town of<br />
Markneukirchen in Saxony was already<br />
a centre for musical strings made of<br />
gut in the nineteenth century. In one<br />
ad around 1930 we can read that the<br />
Stringmakers’ Guild of Markneukirchen<br />
celebrated its 175th<br />
anniversary. The trademark for the<br />
strings made by the company was<br />
“Herold - Saiten” - Herold strings -<br />
with the seal shown on the rackets<br />
below.<br />
Mr. Hammig (who came from this<br />
reagion shortly after WWII) was<br />
certain that the Herold Mönning<br />
Company did not manufacture any<br />
tennis rackets itself. They were<br />
produced elsewhere. Dr. Kerling<br />
assumes that they could have been<br />
Update<br />
made by the company Ph. Horaczek<br />
since Mönning and Horaczek had a<br />
common advertisement in “Tennis &<br />
Golf”, page 128, in 1925.<br />
Add to rackets in collections:<br />
Blausiegel, Herold, c. 1938<br />
Grünsiegel, Herold, Warenzeichen.<br />
c. 1938<br />
The following racket was offered for<br />
auction at eBay between 2000 and 2005<br />
(Dr. H. Kerling):<br />
Gelbsiegel<br />
c. 1938<br />
Mönnig: Blausiegel, c. 1938<br />
Right:<br />
Mönnig: Grünsiegel, c. 1938<br />
Mönnig: Gelbsiegel, c. 1938<br />
Mönnig: Compo, c. 1929<br />
202
Book of Tennis Rackets German Rackets<br />
New information:<br />
Müller & Wimmer<br />
Schlotheim i. Thüringen<br />
Germany<br />
Company:<br />
Dr. Kerling provided two catalogues<br />
of the company – one from 1926 and<br />
one from the 1930’s.<br />
Schlotheim in Thuringia was the centre<br />
for ropeyard-companies in Germany.<br />
This industry started in the 1830s in<br />
this city.<br />
The company was founded in 1862,<br />
first as Albert Müller and a little later<br />
as Müller & Wimmer. The company<br />
was engaged in rope making and made<br />
products of ropes such as hammock,<br />
nets and other related items. Later<br />
when tennis came in vogue it made<br />
nets for tennis courts with all<br />
accessories, elevated lawn-tennis<br />
referee chairs, court rollers, racket<br />
presses and rackets. They also offered<br />
a stringing service for rackets.<br />
After WWII it continued its<br />
operations. An invoice for racket<br />
presses dated 31. Jan. 1949 is shown<br />
below. In 1953 the owners of the<br />
company were dispossessed by the<br />
Government, then the Communist<br />
“German Democratic Republic” - DDR.<br />
The trademark EMWE disappeared.<br />
The company became part of the state<br />
owned newly formed “Sponeta”<br />
company which was reconstructed as<br />
a private company again after the<br />
reunification concentrating now on<br />
ping pong tables.<br />
Derby<br />
Spezial<br />
1930’s:<br />
For adults additional to 1926:<br />
Müller Extra<br />
Not offered anymore:<br />
Invincible<br />
Emwe, logo of the company. Em-We<br />
meaning the initial letters of Müller &<br />
Wimmer pronounced in German. This<br />
logo appeared in the catalogue of the<br />
1930’s only.<br />
The following racket was offered for<br />
auction at eBay between 2000 and 2005<br />
(Dr. H. Kerling):<br />
Excelsior, solid ash, convex.<br />
c. 19<strong>22</strong><br />
Update<br />
M. & W. : The Favourite, 1910-20<br />
Kuebler-collection<br />
Müller & Wimmer?<br />
Müller & Wimmer: Champion, 1926, largest racket of the season<br />
Rackets manufactured:<br />
c. 1926:<br />
For children:<br />
Nr. 6/0<br />
Nr. 5/0<br />
Nr. 5½/0<br />
Nr. 4/0<br />
Nr. 4½/0<br />
Nr. 3/0<br />
Nr. 2/0<br />
My Darling<br />
Ilse<br />
Marion<br />
For adults:<br />
Match<br />
Club<br />
Columbia<br />
Invincible<br />
Champion<br />
Royal<br />
Logo of Müller & Wimmer<br />
Invoice dated 31. Jan. 1949<br />
203
Book of Tennis Rackets German Rackets<br />
New information:<br />
Müller, Emil<br />
Schlotheim in Thuringia<br />
Germany<br />
Company:<br />
Dr. Kerling provided a catalogue of<br />
the company dated 1939.<br />
The company was founded 1875. The<br />
company was engaged in rope making<br />
and made products of ropes such as<br />
hammock, nets and other related items.<br />
Later when tennis came in vogue it<br />
made nets for tennis courts and<br />
accessories. It was located in the same<br />
town of Schlotheim in Thuringia as its<br />
counterpart Müller & Wimmer also<br />
dealt with in this update.<br />
Rackets manufactured:<br />
1939:<br />
Junior (two plies)<br />
Club (two plies)<br />
Imperator (three plies)<br />
Mars (three plies)<br />
Favorit (five plies)<br />
Triumph (five plies)<br />
All rackets in the catalogue are shown<br />
with grooved wooden handles and<br />
are of laminated construction with two<br />
to five plies.<br />
Update<br />
Logo of Emil Müller (1939)<br />
From a catalogue 1939<br />
Invoice from Emil Müller dated 21. April 1942<br />
Emil Müller catalogue 1939<br />
204
Book of Tennis Rackets German Rackets<br />
Additional information to page 270:<br />
Münziger, Hermann<br />
Neues Rathaus<br />
München<br />
Germany<br />
Update<br />
Rackets distributed:<br />
From a German ad in “Fichard, Lawn-<br />
Tennis Jahrbuch, 1909”:<br />
1909:<br />
Handicap, M. 12.50<br />
Favorite, M. 18<br />
Najuch: Liberia, c. 1929<br />
Additional information to page 270:<br />
Najuch, Roman, GmbH<br />
Berlin Charlottenburg<br />
Bleibtreustr. 50, Steinplatz 4643<br />
Germany<br />
Company:<br />
From an ad in “Tennis & Golf”, Jahrgang 8, Nr. 13,<br />
page 345.<br />
‘Die Tennisschlägerfabrik Roman Najuch übernimmt<br />
Neubespannungen von Tennisschlägern aller<br />
Marken, ferner empfiehlt sie sich zur Lieferung von<br />
Najuch-Schlägern. Direkter Verkauf ab Fabrik’. (Roman<br />
Najuch’s factory of tennis rackets specializes in<br />
stringing rackets of all makes. It also recommends its<br />
own tennis rackets, which are sold directly from the<br />
factory).<br />
Wofgang Hofer, Honorary President of the famed<br />
Lawn Tennis Turnier Club “Rot-Weiß” e. V. in Berlin,<br />
remembers in a letter addressed to Dr. H. Kerling in<br />
March 2003:<br />
Roman Najuch had a royalty agreement with Gebr.<br />
Hammer to my knowledge at the beginning of the<br />
1920’s after he became master of the pros. This<br />
company made rackets for Najuch.<br />
There were, however, no rackets with the Najuch<br />
name after WWII.<br />
Photographs: courtesy Dr. H. Kerling<br />
Najuch: Najuch Gold, c. 1929<br />
Remark by author:<br />
It is assumed that Najuch rackets were sold, mainly<br />
in Germany, from about 1925 to 1939.<br />
One photodecal picture racket with the portrait of<br />
Najuch was made by Gebr. Hammer after WWII. Model:<br />
Najuch-Extra.<br />
Rackets manufactured/distributed:<br />
Please add:<br />
Liberia, c. 1931<br />
eBay 2006:<br />
Najuch Grün, c. 1929<br />
“Tennis und Golf”, S. 345, 1931<br />
205
Book of Tennis Rackets German Rackets<br />
Additional information to page 275:<br />
Orso<br />
Additional information to page 276:<br />
Otto, Chr. Aug.<br />
Update<br />
Racket in the collection of Dr. H.<br />
Kerling:<br />
Racket in the collection of Dr. H.<br />
Kerling:<br />
Otto 4<br />
Otto 6<br />
Otto7<br />
Otto 8K<br />
Otto Spezial<br />
Otto<br />
From an Otto catalogue<br />
1936:<br />
Otto 1<br />
Otto 2<br />
Otto 3<br />
Additional in the Kuebler-collection:<br />
Turnier c. 1935<br />
Otto 6 c. 1935<br />
Jugend c. 1936<br />
Otto 7 c. 1940<br />
Photoraphs Dr. Kerling<br />
Otto: Most of the Otto models have<br />
this sign on the shaft of the handle.<br />
Orso: Tip Top, c. 1933<br />
Otto: No. 5, 1936<br />
Catalogue of 1936<br />
Otto: No. 4, c. 1935<br />
206
Book of Tennis Rackets German Rackets<br />
New information:<br />
Peters, Carl, GmbH<br />
Köln-Rhein<br />
Kaufhaus (Department Store)<br />
Company: Department store<br />
Racket in the collection of Dr. H.<br />
Kerling:<br />
Klub<br />
c. 1931<br />
Additional information to page 290:<br />
Probst<br />
Germany<br />
Rackets in the collection of Dr. H.<br />
Kerling:<br />
Iwah, solid ash frame, convex wedge,<br />
mahogany heart, cedar shingles.<br />
Probably sold by Joh. Wilh. Albers,<br />
Harburg a. E. (Sporting Goods Store?)<br />
Trade Mark of Probst on butt end (7<br />
pointed star).<br />
c. 1905<br />
Parbleu, solid ash frame, convex<br />
wedge, mahogany heart, cedar<br />
shingles.<br />
c.1905<br />
eBay 2006:<br />
Wimbledon, c. 1925<br />
Probst: Parbleu, c. 1905<br />
Update<br />
Additional information to page 300:<br />
Puma AG<br />
A flyer of this company describing<br />
the ‘Onyx Saber’ tennis racket was<br />
provided by Glenn A. Bjorkman in<br />
2005.<br />
c. 1987:<br />
Onyx Saber, 80% graphite, 20%<br />
fibreglass, midsize.<br />
Remark by author: Most likely this<br />
racket was marketed only in the U.S.A.<br />
by PUMA U.S.A., Inc.<br />
492 Old Connecticut Path<br />
Framingham, MA 01701<br />
Probst: Wimbledon, c. 1926<br />
Please add to the table on page 300.<br />
Peters: Klub, c.1931<br />
Puma: Boris Becker Super, c. 1987<br />
207
Book of Tennis Rackets German Rackets<br />
New information:<br />
Richter<br />
(Hermann Richter)<br />
(also called Tennis Richter)<br />
Germany<br />
Update<br />
Company:<br />
Dr. Kerling pursued some<br />
investigations and came up with the<br />
following information:<br />
Hermann Richter was a well-known<br />
tennis pro in the 1920’s. His nickname<br />
was “Wackl”. He was friends with<br />
Roman Najuch, W.T. Tilden, Karel<br />
Kozeluh and Hanne Nüsslein. His<br />
father had immigrated before from<br />
Romania to Nürnberg in Germany<br />
Rackets in collections:<br />
Wackl<br />
c. 1935<br />
Blau, laminated racket with coloured<br />
wood insert. Reinforced shoulders.<br />
Blue bindings at shoulders.<br />
c. 1950<br />
Richter: Blau, c. 1950, Trade Mark<br />
shown on the shaft<br />
Additional information to page 307:<br />
Rogge, Karl<br />
Richter: Wackl, c. 1935<br />
Photographs Dr. H. Kerling<br />
From a prospectus of a sporting goods<br />
house, Mitteldeutsches Sporthaus<br />
GmbH, (MSH) Erfurt, Schluesserstr.<br />
19, Germany.<br />
Rackets manufactured:<br />
c. 1929:<br />
Silberschild, already advertised for<br />
in 1925<br />
Special<br />
Greiff<br />
Rex<br />
208
Book of Tennis Rackets German Rackets<br />
Additional information to page 307:<br />
Roithner & Co., Hugo<br />
“Seilerwaaren: Netze, Turngeräthe und<br />
Spielwaaren (rope manufacturer, nets,<br />
gym equipment, toys)<br />
Fabrik Croischwitz (manufacturing<br />
site)<br />
Address: Schweidnitz/Schlesien<br />
and<br />
Berlin Süd<br />
Stallschreiberstr. 36”<br />
Addresses taken from the ad below<br />
from c. 1900.<br />
Germany<br />
Rackets manufactured:<br />
From an ad in “Lawn-Tennis & Golf”<br />
July 21, 1914, page 1.<br />
1914:<br />
Specialschläger<br />
From a Gustav Steidel catalogue<br />
c. 1930 (courtesy Dr. Kerling):<br />
Rona - Tournier - Meisterklasse, three<br />
laminations, no wedge!<br />
Rona Tournier<br />
Roithner Spezial<br />
Supplement:<br />
The logo used at the butt end shown<br />
on page 309 in the Book was<br />
apparently applied until the mid of the<br />
1920’s. It can be assumed that a racket<br />
with this sign at the butt end was<br />
made by Roithner if there is no other<br />
indication on the racket.<br />
In the 1930’s another logo appeared<br />
(right side top - photo Dr. Kerling).<br />
A newer logo on the shaft was used in<br />
the 1930’s as already shown on the<br />
Roland-racket c. 1933 on page 308.<br />
Update<br />
Logo on the butt end in the 1920s<br />
eBay 2007:<br />
Mars<br />
c. 1910<br />
Rackets in the collection of Dr.<br />
Kerling:<br />
Perfect, c. 1905<br />
Rona, c. 1925<br />
Olympiade, c. 1928<br />
Roman, c. 1928<br />
(Roman was the first name of the<br />
famous German tennis pro at that time)<br />
Siegfried, c. 1930<br />
Rona Turnier, c. 1935<br />
Logo on the shaft in the 1930s:<br />
H for Hugo, R for Roithner and Co<br />
Ad from c. 1900 showing the factory of the company. Courtesy: Dariusz Duleba, Poland, Nov. 2004<br />
209
Book of Tennis Rackets German Rackets<br />
Update<br />
Ad in Lawn-Tennis-Jahrbuch DTB<br />
1911/12. - Please note the convex<br />
shaped wedge.<br />
Roithner: Rona, c. 1921<br />
photo Dr, Kerling<br />
Ad in “Tennis”, H. Landmann, c. 1930.<br />
Please note the concave shaped<br />
wedge<br />
Ad in Tennis, 1. Jahrgang, 1921,<br />
page 177. The Rona-racket was<br />
introduced in 1921.<br />
210
Book of Tennis Rackets German Rackets<br />
New information:<br />
Sayda<br />
Sportgerätefabrik<br />
Sayda/Erzgebirge<br />
former German Democratic<br />
Republic (DDR)<br />
Update<br />
Additional information to page 319:<br />
Schimpke, E.<br />
Königlicher Hoflieferant<br />
Please note the correct spelling of the<br />
name: Schimpke.<br />
The catalogue was published in 1896..<br />
Rackets in a collection:<br />
Sayda, laminated. Similar to the<br />
‘Germania’ rackets also made in the<br />
former DDR.<br />
Estimated: 1970<br />
(this information was made available<br />
by fellow collector Dr. Heiner<br />
Kerling, from an eBay auction in<br />
2004.)<br />
New information:<br />
Schrader, Willi<br />
Tennissportartikel<br />
Markneukirchen in Sachsen<br />
Germany<br />
Company:<br />
The company operated in the 1920’s<br />
and 1930’s. It made tennis strings from<br />
sheep gut imported from England and<br />
Spain. Tennis rackets were also<br />
produced.<br />
Rackets manufactured:<br />
(taken from a leaflet of the company in<br />
the possession of Dr. H. Kerling,<br />
issued 1940)<br />
Nr. 1 RM 18.-<br />
Nr. 20 RM 16,50<br />
Nr. 21 RM 13,20<br />
Nr. <strong>22</strong> RM 10,80<br />
Nr. 23 RM 9,30<br />
Nr. 24 RM 7,50<br />
Nr. 25 RM 6.-<br />
All prices for an unstrung frame.<br />
It is not known if the number was<br />
stamped on the racket. However, the<br />
trademark WSM (for Willi Schrader<br />
Markneukirchen) was usually shown<br />
on the racket.<br />
E. Schimpke: Pamphlet published in 1896<br />
211
Book of Tennis Rackets German Rackets<br />
Additional information to page 319:<br />
Schröder & Kartzke<br />
(Eska)<br />
Racket in the collection of Dr. H.<br />
Kerling:<br />
Update<br />
Additional information to page 377:<br />
Steidel A.<br />
Königlicher Hoflieferant<br />
Racket in the collection of Heiner<br />
Kerling:<br />
T. Burke, solid frame, mahogany<br />
heart, cedar shingles (Thomas Burke<br />
was Champion of the Professionals c.<br />
1895).<br />
c. 1898<br />
A. Steidel: T. Burke, c. 1898<br />
Eska: Brillant, c. 1934<br />
Additional information to page 377:<br />
Steidel, Gustav<br />
From a Gustav Steidel catalogue<br />
c. 1930 (courtesy Dr. Kerling):<br />
Kondor<br />
Pax<br />
Helios<br />
Gloria<br />
Freya (Juniors)<br />
Protos (Juniors)<br />
Victoria (Juniors)<br />
A.Steidel: Ledietsa brand-name used<br />
for sporting goods including tennis<br />
rackets (from at least 1904 to 1921)<br />
From “Tennis” 1921<br />
212
Book of Tennis Rackets German Rackets<br />
New information:<br />
Steinberg & Co.<br />
Neuer Wall 26/28<br />
Hamburg<br />
Germany<br />
Update<br />
Company:<br />
A sporting goods store in Hamburg.<br />
Large selection of rackets of different<br />
brands, starting from Mark 2,75 to<br />
Mark 35.-<br />
Distributed rackets with the<br />
Steinberg imprint:<br />
1906:<br />
E.D.B. Special, convex heart, combed<br />
handle<br />
From a Tournament Program:<br />
Internationales Lawn-Tennis Turnier 1906 der Hamburger Lawn-Tennis-Gilde<br />
Courtesy Dr. H. Kerling<br />
New information:<br />
Georg Stoehr<br />
Spitalwaldstr. 3<br />
Schwabacg/Nürnberg<br />
Germany<br />
Stoehr: Noname racket except for<br />
the butt-end shown, c. 1920<br />
Company:<br />
Georg Stoehr made sporting goods<br />
and gym-equipment. Trademarks<br />
were: .”Herkules” and “Mitufa”. It<br />
operated at least from 1910 until long<br />
after WWII.<br />
Photos courtesy Dr. Kerling.<br />
213<br />
Additional information to page 400:<br />
Völkl, Franz<br />
Rackets in collections:<br />
In the collection of the Völkl company.<br />
c. 1980:<br />
Roller type racket<br />
A prototype racket with rollers for<br />
the strings integrated into the frame.<br />
Probably an aluminium frame.
Book of Tennis Rackets German Rackets<br />
Additional information to page 379:<br />
Sundei<br />
Update<br />
Company:<br />
From an ad in “Tennis & Golf”,<br />
Jahrgang 1925:<br />
Address of the company in 1925:<br />
Sundei<br />
Sportgerätefabrik<br />
Starck & Eichbladt<br />
Dresden N6<br />
Company:<br />
Maybe the name Sundei derives from<br />
Starck und Eichbladt.<br />
Rackets manufactured:<br />
From a sales catalogue of Asmü 1936:<br />
c. 1936:<br />
Monogram<br />
Regina<br />
From a catalogue of Loden-Frey<br />
c. 1937 in the possesion of Dr. H.<br />
Kerling:<br />
c. 1937:<br />
Champion<br />
After 1945:<br />
The company “Skifabrik Sundei” was<br />
located in the township of Dorfen, a<br />
city approx. 50 km from Munich<br />
between Landshut and Rosenheim<br />
after WWII. Skis were also produced<br />
as the name of the company “Skifabrik”<br />
suggests.<br />
Rackets in the collection of Dr. H.<br />
Kerling:<br />
Agathon c. 1935<br />
Blitz c. 1938<br />
Favorit c. 1952<br />
Adlon c. 1955<br />
Super Extra c. 1955<br />
Meisterklasse c. 1958<br />
Public c. 1958<br />
Ass c. 1960<br />
Service c. 1962<br />
From an ad in “Tennis und Golf”, Jahrgang 1925, Heft 23,<br />
page 467<br />
(Dr. H. Kerling)<br />
Sundei: Super Extra, c. 1950 (Kuebler-collection)<br />
Kuebler-collection:<br />
Sachsenstern, c. 1939<br />
Super extra, c. 1950<br />
214
Book of Tennis Rackets German Rackets<br />
New information:<br />
Wedemann, Carl<br />
Arnstadt, Thuringia<br />
Germany<br />
Update<br />
Company:<br />
Dr. Kerling is of the opinion that the<br />
company existed from about 1899 to at<br />
least 1949 since these years appear on<br />
the heraldic figure of one of his<br />
rackets. Used trademark: CWA.<br />
In the Kuebler-collection is one racket<br />
with the year of manufacturing stated:<br />
1953.<br />
Wedemann had a factory to produce<br />
strings for tennis rackets as shown on<br />
the letterhead of an invoice of the<br />
company dated April 17, 1947<br />
(Tennissaitenfabrik).<br />
On the lower part of this invoice it is<br />
written that the production of strings<br />
was not yet continued (after WWII).<br />
Rackets could be supplied, however,<br />
on a very limited scale, as long as the<br />
glue in stock was not depleted (this<br />
kind of glue which is needed to<br />
manufacture the laminated rackets was<br />
apparently not available in the Soviet<br />
Zone at that time - 1947).<br />
From “Chronik Arnstadt” part 4:<br />
The company was founded Oct. 10,<br />
1899. The production comprised<br />
strings for tennis rackets, musical<br />
instruments and clockmakers.<br />
Wedemann: Spezial, c. 1950<br />
Wedemann: Spezial c. 1950<br />
Photographs: courtesy Dr. H. Kerling<br />
Wedemann:<br />
Blau-Weiß Spezial, c. 1950<br />
Note: trademark CWA<br />
Identification of rackets proposed by Dr. Kerling:<br />
Logo: CWA<br />
(Carl Wedemann Arnstadt)<br />
used on rackets<br />
Trademark used for strings<br />
Heraldic figure with the inscription 1899/1949 - 50-year anniversary.<br />
All rackets with this figure are therefore made in 1949 or later.<br />
215
Book of Tennis Rackets German Rackets<br />
Update<br />
Rackets in the collection of Dr.<br />
Kerling:<br />
Early 1950’s:<br />
Blau Weiß Spezial<br />
Grün Weiß Match<br />
Rot Weiß Turnier<br />
Spezial<br />
Junior<br />
Favorit Sonderklasse (eBay in 2006)<br />
Rackets in the collection of S.<br />
Kuebler:<br />
c. 1935:<br />
Favorit, made at least until 1950<br />
Turnier<br />
c. 1938:<br />
Turnier Extra<br />
eBay 2007:<br />
Wedania<br />
c. 1931<br />
Wedemann: Favorit, CWA on butt-end, 1953 (Kuebler-collection)<br />
Ad in “Tennis und Golf” 1925<br />
Wedemann: Favorit, c. 1935 (Kueblercollection)<br />
Wedemann: Turnier Extra, c. 1938<br />
Invoice for strings April 17, 1947<br />
216
Book of Tennis Rackets German Rackets<br />
New information:<br />
A. Wertheim GmbH<br />
Berlin<br />
Germany<br />
Update<br />
Company:<br />
This company was one of the biggest<br />
department stores in Germany. Later it<br />
became ‘Hertie’ and then it was taken<br />
over by Karstadt Quelle AG.<br />
‘Gigant’ was their trademark for<br />
rackets and presses.<br />
The following information was made<br />
available by fellow collector Dr.<br />
Heiner Kerling:<br />
Wertheim: Gigant D.R.G.M.S.<br />
Rackets distributed:<br />
c. 1913:<br />
Gigant<br />
Gigant 1<br />
Gigant Special<br />
Racket in his collection:<br />
Gigant, solid ash, convex, combed<br />
handle. (D.R.G.M.S. means:<br />
Deutscher Reichsgebrauchs<br />
musterschutz – utility patent)<br />
Estimated: 1913<br />
Additional information to page 468:<br />
Winkler & Co., A.<br />
Germany<br />
Racket in the collection of Dr. Kerling:<br />
c. 1936:<br />
Turnier<br />
The triangular shape of the transfer<br />
decal on the throat piece of the shown<br />
racket below “Turnier” suggests that<br />
Gebr. Hammer made it (contributed by<br />
Dr. H. Kerling).<br />
Deutsche Sportgerätefabrik<br />
A. Winkler<br />
Winkler: Turnier c. 1936<br />
217
Book of Tennis Rackets French Rackets<br />
Update<br />
French Rackets<br />
Allo Manufacture Francaise M F<br />
Bocla<br />
Boeklage<br />
Cavelle & Cie<br />
Clement, Victor, Frères<br />
Errès<br />
Humberg, G.<br />
Gavelle fils, H., Beaubois & Cie<br />
Gauthier J. & Fils Cie.<br />
Gilly, A.<br />
Joutier, A.<br />
Martin-Legeay, A. R.<br />
Mass & Co<br />
Mesire & Blatgé<br />
Prima<br />
Rennes, E. Gerard<br />
Soehnlin<br />
Suillobez A.<br />
Toulet & Co.<br />
Tunmer & Co.<br />
Vèber<br />
Williams & Co.<br />
218
Book of Tennis Rackets French Rackets<br />
Additional information to page 63:<br />
Allo Manufacture Francaise<br />
M F<br />
Rackets in collections:<br />
Collection U. P. Inderbitzin, Luzern,<br />
Switzerland<br />
Eureka, solid ash, convex wedge. This<br />
particular racket has no “flakes” or<br />
“shingles” on its handle thus being<br />
rectangular.<br />
Comment: probably a Real Tennis<br />
Racket<br />
Additional information to page 98:<br />
Bocla<br />
Paris<br />
France<br />
Auction Mullock Madeley Dec. 2000:<br />
Winmore<br />
c. 1949<br />
Additional information to page 154:<br />
Errès<br />
The following racket was offered for<br />
auction at eBay between 2000 and 2005<br />
(Dr. H. Kerling):<br />
Mona, concave, reinforced shoulders,<br />
bindings, scored handle.<br />
c. 1930<br />
New information:<br />
Humberg, G.<br />
Nevers/Bourgogne<br />
France<br />
The following racket was offered for<br />
auction at eBay between 2000 and 2005<br />
(Dr. H. Kerling):<br />
Lutèce, laminated frame.<br />
c. 1938<br />
Update<br />
Additional information to page 176:<br />
Gavelle, H., fils, Beaubois &<br />
Cie<br />
66 rue de Bondy<br />
Paris (Xe)<br />
France<br />
(this information was made available<br />
by fellow collector Dr. Heiner<br />
Kerling)<br />
Company:<br />
The ad below appeared in “Jahrbuch<br />
des Deutschen Lawn-Tennisbundes<br />
1911/12”.<br />
Translation:<br />
H. Gavelle fils, Beaubois & Cie,<br />
Manufacturers.<br />
T. P. Burke Racket. Made to the<br />
recommendations of T. P. Burke,<br />
tennis teacher and champion of the<br />
professionals. – We are the best<br />
manufacturers of all kinds of sporting<br />
goods in France.<br />
Additional information to page 98:<br />
Boeklage<br />
France<br />
Rackets in collections:<br />
Auction Mullock Madeley June. 2004:<br />
Criterion Special, Art Deco style<br />
decal.<br />
c. 1950<br />
New information:<br />
Cavelle & Cie<br />
Rackets manufactured:<br />
From an ad in “Lawn-Tennis & Golf”,<br />
July 21, 1914, page 455:<br />
1914:<br />
La Holder<br />
(Dr. H. Kerling)<br />
Humberg: Lutèce, c. 1938<br />
Additional information to page 109:<br />
Clement, Victor, Frères<br />
Racket in a collection:<br />
Integral Superflex, oval, concave,<br />
laminated. Combed wooden handle. Deep<br />
groove in the centre on the top of both<br />
sides of the shaft. Slit in the shaft.<br />
c. 1934<br />
Please ask for a catalogue free of<br />
charge. Telegram address: Gavelsport<br />
Paris<br />
Remark:<br />
Only H. Gavelle & Cie (without<br />
Beaubois & Cie) is shown on rackets<br />
of the late 1920’s. Probably the<br />
company’s name changed accordingly.<br />
219
Book of Tennis Rackets French Rackets<br />
Update<br />
Additional information to page 175:<br />
Gauthier J. & Fils Cie<br />
The following racket was offered for<br />
auction at eBay in 2008:<br />
New information:<br />
Industrie du Tennis<br />
Paris<br />
The following racket was offered for<br />
auction at eBay between 2000 and 2005<br />
(Dr. H. Kerling):<br />
Industrie du Tennis, concave, scored<br />
handle, the outlines of France was used<br />
as decal.<br />
c. 1927<br />
New information:<br />
Martin-Legeay, A. R.<br />
50, rue de Ponthieu<br />
Paris (VII e )<br />
Company:<br />
The company probably produced<br />
rackets between 1925 and 1935. A<br />
wooden racket is shown on a poster of<br />
that time. The following claim is printed<br />
on that poster:<br />
“Toujour précis!<br />
Avec votre raquette.”<br />
(Always accurate with your racket)<br />
Gauthier: Model ?, c. 1992<br />
Please note the construction of the<br />
top.<br />
New information:<br />
Gilly, A.<br />
Marseille<br />
68, rue de Rome<br />
France<br />
Company:<br />
No information available.<br />
Rackets offered in eBay:<br />
Champion NM, ash frame with<br />
mahogany heart. Concave.<br />
Estimated: 1930<br />
(this information was made available<br />
by fellow collector Dr. Heiner<br />
Kerling)<br />
New information:<br />
Joutier, A.<br />
Paris<br />
The following racket was offered for<br />
auction at eBay between 2000 and 2005<br />
(Dr. H. Kerling):<br />
Roland Garros, laminated frame<br />
c. 1952<br />
Rackets in collections:<br />
From an auction catalogue, Françoise<br />
Lepeuve, April 24, 1999:<br />
A.R. Martin-Legeay,<br />
the handle can be detached from the<br />
racket’s head.<br />
Estimated: 1930<br />
<strong>22</strong>0
Book of Tennis Rackets French Rackets<br />
Additional information to page 262:<br />
Mass & Co<br />
Rackets manufactured:<br />
From a German ad in “Fichard, Lawn-<br />
Tennis Jahrbuch, 1909”:<br />
1909:<br />
Distributed and advertised by H.<br />
Münziger, München:<br />
Mass Double Strung<br />
From a sales catalogue of Büchner,<br />
Regensburg, c. 1919<br />
c. 1910:<br />
Mass Spezial<br />
Mass No. 6<br />
1910:<br />
Distributed and advertised by Küster<br />
Perry, Frankfurt:<br />
Prima<br />
From an ad in “Lawn-Tennis & Golf”,<br />
July 21, 1914, last page:<br />
1914:<br />
Mass-Sigma<br />
Rackets in a collection:<br />
Mass & Cie, with a monogram “M”<br />
(Dr. H. Kerling)<br />
c. 1910<br />
Mass, Doubles Cordes<br />
(Dr. H. Kerling)<br />
c. 1914<br />
New information:<br />
Mestre & Blatgé<br />
46 av. de la Grande-Armée<br />
Paris/France<br />
Company:<br />
No information available.<br />
Update<br />
Rackets offered in eBay in 2004:<br />
Daisy, convex, solid ash frame, combed<br />
handle, canvas wrapped shoulders.<br />
Estimated: 1925<br />
(this information was made available<br />
by fellow collector Dr. Kerling)<br />
eBay 2007:<br />
Club, c. 1908<br />
Mestre & Blatgé: Club, c. 1908<br />
Mass: Omega, c. 19<strong>22</strong><br />
The photograph of the Mass Omega,<br />
c. 19<strong>22</strong>, is missing in the Book.<br />
Mass & Cie, with a monogram “M”, c.<br />
1910<br />
Photograph Dr. H. Kerling<br />
Mass: Gem, c. 1900<br />
In 1872 both Harry Gem and Perera<br />
moved to Leamington Spa and formed<br />
a club with two doctors from a local<br />
hospital specifically to play this new<br />
game. The Leamington club thus<br />
became the world's first tennis club,<br />
playing on the lawns of the Manor<br />
House Hotel opposite Perera's new<br />
home in Avenue Road.<br />
Please note the fan-spread type of<br />
main strings incorporated in the<br />
advertised racket.<br />
<strong>22</strong>1
Book of Tennis Rackets French Rackets<br />
Additional information to page 271:<br />
Nelson Frères<br />
Update<br />
New information:<br />
Prima<br />
Paris<br />
France<br />
Company:<br />
No information available<br />
Rackets in collections:<br />
A racket of this company was offered<br />
at an auction performed by Christie’s<br />
in 2000 (Dr. H. Kerling):<br />
Prima, solid ash, walnut throat, ash<br />
handle.<br />
c. 1890<br />
Auction Mullock Madeley in 2004:<br />
Allen, reinforced shoulders, concave,<br />
regular octagonal handle.<br />
approx. 1920’s<br />
New information:<br />
Régy<br />
Paris<br />
eBay auction 2007:<br />
Antares, c. 1935<br />
New information:<br />
Rennes, E. Gerard<br />
presumably France<br />
Company:<br />
No information available.<br />
Rackets in collections:<br />
A racket of this company was offered<br />
at an auction performed by Mullock<br />
Madeley in 2004 (Dr. H. Kerling):<br />
Club, The, convex wedge.<br />
c. 1920<br />
New information:<br />
Soehnlin<br />
Paris<br />
France<br />
Company:<br />
No information available.<br />
Rackets in a collection:<br />
Victory, ash frame with mahogany<br />
heart. Concave.<br />
Estimated: 19<strong>22</strong><br />
(this information was made available<br />
by fellow collector Dr. Heiner<br />
Kerling, from an eBay auction in<br />
2002.)<br />
<strong>22</strong>2
Book of Tennis Rackets French Rackets<br />
New information:<br />
Suillobez A.<br />
Probably France<br />
Additional information to page 393:<br />
Toulet & Co.<br />
France<br />
Update<br />
Racket in a collection:<br />
(Dr. H. Kerling)<br />
Suillobez<br />
c. 1932<br />
From “the Tennis Collector”, Spring<br />
2008, page 15:<br />
Peter Maxton reports:<br />
“I recently found a catalogue and price<br />
list for Etablissements Toulet, a racket<br />
and court equipment manufacturer<br />
based in the north west suburbs of<br />
Paris in the 1920’s.”<br />
From this Catalogue:<br />
Etablissements Toulet<br />
Societé Anonyme<br />
R. C. Paris<br />
Siège social and usine (factory)<br />
35 et 37, Avenue Marceau<br />
Courbevoie (Seine)<br />
Rackets made:<br />
Auction Mullock Madeley Dec. 2000:<br />
Paramount, junior racket, convex<br />
Rugby, junior racket, convex<br />
c. 1925<br />
From the catalogue mentioned:<br />
Derwood Alpha, modèle breveté,<br />
concave, combed handle<br />
c. 1930<br />
From an ad 1925 provided by Rodney<br />
Lack:<br />
!925:<br />
Mikado<br />
Oxford<br />
Racket in the collection of Rodney<br />
Lack:<br />
Oxford, concave, solid wood,<br />
bevelled frame on the inside.<br />
c. 1929<br />
Toulet & Co.: Oxford, c. 1929<br />
Photo: courtesy Rodney Lack<br />
Suillobez: Suillobez, c. 1932<br />
Photographs Dr. H. Kerling<br />
Ad from 1925<br />
<strong>22</strong>3
Book of Tennis Rackets French Rackets<br />
Additional information to page 396:<br />
Tunmer & Co.<br />
Address in 1924:<br />
1 et 3, Place Saint Augustin, Paris<br />
France<br />
Rackets manufactured:<br />
From a catalogue, summer 1924, in the<br />
possesion of Dr. H. Kerling:<br />
1924:<br />
all rackets with concave hearts<br />
La Tunmer Special<br />
Burke, (T.P. Burke, tennis pro in<br />
Deauville, Paris and Cannes)<br />
Roméo<br />
J.V., (tennis pro J.V. Engaurran)<br />
Anzac (hexagon construction of upper<br />
cross section of frame)<br />
Smash<br />
Super Match<br />
Best Match<br />
Best Club<br />
Auteuil<br />
Aiglon<br />
Senior (racket for children)<br />
Boy (racket for children)<br />
Balls:<br />
Tunmer Ata<br />
Tunmer Club<br />
Tunmer Spécial (fabrication Anglaise)<br />
Rackets in collections:<br />
Auction Mullock Madeley Dec. 2000:<br />
Super Match<br />
c. 1925<br />
Update<br />
Additional information to page 399:<br />
Vèber<br />
Paris<br />
France<br />
Racket in a collection:<br />
Titanic, laminated frame. Rawhide or<br />
coloured wood insert. Reinforced<br />
shoulders. Three bindings at shoulder.<br />
Two wrappings at shaft. From<br />
shoulders painted downwards. Cream<br />
colour. Rounded shaft. Combed handle.<br />
Butt leather. Sold by: Dolep Sport,<br />
5, rue St Jean, Tunis. Shown on racket:<br />
Decal showing Atlas carrying the<br />
world.<br />
Estimated: 1935<br />
Tunmer: La Tunmer Spécial, 1924<br />
Vèber: Titanic, c. 1935<br />
<strong>22</strong>4
Book of Tennis Rackets French Rackets<br />
Additional information to page 415:<br />
Williams & Co.<br />
Little Frères<br />
Société à Responsabilité Limitée –<br />
Capital: 300.000 Francs<br />
1 et 3, Rue Caumartin<br />
(Angle du Boulevard de la Madeleine)<br />
Paris<br />
France<br />
Sales office:<br />
39, Rue S te – Catherine<br />
Bordeaux<br />
Factory at: Levallois-Perret, Seine<br />
(this information was made available<br />
by fellow collector Dr. Heiner<br />
Kerling).<br />
Update<br />
Company:<br />
“Articles, costumes pour Sports,<br />
Jeux.” (articles and apparel for sports<br />
and games)<br />
“Fabricante d’Articles de Sports<br />
Athléthiques.”<br />
The company claimed that Mlle<br />
Suzanne Lenglen used only Williams<br />
rackets for all the matches she played<br />
even in her youth.<br />
Rackets Manufactured:<br />
1928:<br />
Driva, No. 513, laminated in three plies<br />
From the Summer Catalogue 1928 of the Company<br />
Suzanne Lenglen, No. 521, laminated<br />
in three plies<br />
Driva (Auna), No. 514, solid frame of<br />
ash<br />
Driva (Exela), No. 516, solid frame of<br />
ash<br />
Driva, No. 517<br />
From the Summer Catalogue 1928 of the Company<br />
<strong>22</strong>5
Book of Tennis Rackets French Rackets<br />
Volla, No. 520<br />
Riviera, No. 518<br />
Frezo A, No. 536<br />
Serva, No. 519<br />
Winna, No. 524<br />
Frezo B, No. 537<br />
Sporta, No. 527<br />
London, No. 528<br />
Regulation, No. 530<br />
Practice, No. 531<br />
Raquettes pour Garconnets<br />
Raquettes pour Enfants<br />
Update<br />
Auction Mullock Madeley Dec. 2000:<br />
Frero, concave, Bakelite lining<br />
Balls:<br />
Williams, pour Championats,<br />
stichless, cémentées<br />
Paraga, pour Matches, stichless,<br />
cémentées<br />
From the Summer Catalogue 1928 of the Company<br />
Boxes:<br />
Jeux complets de Tennis pour plages<br />
(complete Tennis-sets in wooden<br />
boxes to be used on beaches, for<br />
families, hotels, clubs etc.)<br />
Note of author: Tennis sets in wooden<br />
boxes introduced already in c. 1876<br />
were still on sale in 1928!<br />
Rackets in collections:<br />
The Club, solid ash frame convex.<br />
Rounded handle.<br />
Estimated: 1895<br />
Driva N.M., solid ash frame, long<br />
stretched oval face, concave, canvas<br />
wrapped shoulders painted in white.<br />
Regular handle with deep grooves.<br />
Estimated: 1929<br />
The London, solid ash frame with<br />
mahogany heart and cedar shingles.<br />
Concave. Estimated: 1930<br />
D.Q.J., convex wedge.<br />
c. 1905<br />
This racket was offered at an auction<br />
performed by Mullock Madeley in<br />
2003 (Dr. H. Kerling).<br />
eBay auction 2006-2008:<br />
The Association No. 2, with fishtail<br />
handle<br />
c. 1905<br />
Driva Anna,<br />
c. 1935<br />
<strong>22</strong>6
Book of Tennis Rackets Italian Rackets<br />
Update<br />
Italian Rackets<br />
For the serious collector and admirer of Italian tennis rackets, their art<br />
and for a complete coverage there is no way to bypass the book of<br />
Beppe Russotto:<br />
“Racchette Italiane”<br />
edition May 2008 (E-Mail: bepperussotto@tiscali.it)<br />
dealing with the following companies:<br />
Alto, Beinasco (To)<br />
Amasi, Milan<br />
Astra, Bovisio<br />
Barusso, Torino<br />
Brigatti, Milan<br />
Castle, Castelfidardo<br />
Cober, Opera (Milan)<br />
Condor<br />
Dely, Lugagnano Val d’Arda<br />
Dora, Milan<br />
Fias - Fars, Casalecchio di Reno (Bo)<br />
Fila, Biella<br />
Florence Sport, Certaldo (Fi)<br />
Freyrie, Eupilio<br />
Futura, Trezzo sull’Adda (Milan)<br />
General Sport, Genova<br />
Gipron, Vanzago<br />
Ital-Sport, Milan<br />
Lafont, Perugia<br />
M.A.R.A.C., Brescia<br />
Maxima, Milan<br />
Miller, Torino<br />
Nava, Verderio Superlore (Co)<br />
P.Z., Milan<br />
Pecten, Alpignano<br />
Persenico (S.A.R.P), Chiavenna (So)<br />
Prielli Technort, Aviano (Pn)<br />
Regina Sport, Cinisello<br />
Rollka, Sarentino (Bz)<br />
Rush, Torino<br />
S.A.I.L., Lanzo d’Intelvi (Co)<br />
Scaglia, Milan<br />
Simonis, Milan<br />
Sirola, Bologna<br />
S.I.R.T., Bordighera (Im)<br />
Tacchini, Milan<br />
Tallero, Milan<br />
Tennisa, Torino<br />
Tepa Sport, Rossapo Veneto (Vi)<br />
Verdun, Torino<br />
WIP, Bassapo del Grappa (Vi)<br />
Zanotta, Mezzegra (Co)<br />
Not in the book „Rachette Italiane“:<br />
Gallox, Caltagirone<br />
<strong>22</strong>7
Book of Tennis Rackets Italian Rackets<br />
Additional information:<br />
Astra<br />
Azzano of Mezzegra (Co)<br />
Arcore (Mi)<br />
Bovisio Milan<br />
Via Blanca di Savoia, 9<br />
Italy<br />
Update<br />
Please consult also the chapter on<br />
Astra in the book of Beppe Russotto<br />
“Rachette Italiane”, 2008.<br />
Company:<br />
Luigi Reanda, the founder of this<br />
company, imported tennis strings to<br />
Italy since 1930. At the end of the<br />
1930's we find the first references to<br />
Reanda as a builder of rackets, probably<br />
made first in Azzano of<br />
Mezzegra (Co) and then in Arcore<br />
(Mi). Initially, his logo was "Astra"<br />
but subsequently also his name „Reanda“<br />
appeared on his rackets. After<br />
WWII (c. 1947) he manufactured not<br />
only rackets but also furniture, skis<br />
and radio casings of wood.<br />
About 150 workmen were employed.<br />
The production reached then 200 rackets<br />
a day.<br />
Rackets in the Kuebler-collection:<br />
Itala, c. 1937<br />
F. Reanda, c. 1938<br />
Monogram, c. 1939<br />
(Reanda, Astra, Campionati Nationali,<br />
Italia, Boemia, Ungheria,<br />
Romania. Astra Milano)<br />
Superastra, c. 1941<br />
(Astra Reanda. 1940 XVIII<br />
Campionato Italiano)<br />
Campionata - Superatra, c. 1950<br />
Astor, c. 1952<br />
Astra: Monogram Reanda c. 1939<br />
Astra: Campionata - Superastra<br />
c. 1950<br />
Source: “Rachette Italiane” by<br />
Beppe Russotto<br />
Asteria, c. 1938<br />
Sirius, c. 1940<br />
Monogram, c. 1943<br />
Ambassador, c. 1945<br />
Superastra, c. 1945<br />
Capitol, c. 1953<br />
<strong>22</strong>9
Book of Tennis Rackets Italian Rackets<br />
New information:<br />
Baruzzo<br />
Via Industria Nr. 16<br />
Torino<br />
Italy<br />
Please consult also the chapter on<br />
Baruzzo in the book of Beppe Russotto<br />
“Rachette Italiane”, 2008.<br />
Company:<br />
The Baruzzo rackets were made in a<br />
small workshop in Torino. It<br />
belonged to Mario Baruzzo. It can<br />
well be assumed that the company<br />
made these rackets only for a few<br />
years (in the early 1930's).<br />
It is quoted that their design was<br />
registered by a certain „Giorgi“.<br />
Rackets manufactured:<br />
Dux, c. 1930<br />
Rex, c. 1930<br />
Sabauda. c. 1930<br />
Comment by the author:<br />
Interesting to note:<br />
Rex was one of the most successful<br />
models in Germany made by<br />
Gebrüder Hammer in the 1920's.<br />
Dux, ditto, but made by Heinrich<br />
Hammer, both Germany.<br />
New information:<br />
Brigatti<br />
Corso Venezia<br />
Milan<br />
Italy<br />
Please consult also the chapter on<br />
Brigatti in the book of Beppe Russotto<br />
“Rachette Italiane”, 2008.<br />
Company:<br />
Brigatti was once a big sporting<br />
goods store in Milan. It Imported<br />
rackets from Great Britain and<br />
marketed these with its own name<br />
„Brigatti“.<br />
Rackets distributed:<br />
Oxford, c. 1915<br />
Briga Special, c. 1925<br />
New information:<br />
Castle<br />
Castelfidardo<br />
Italy<br />
Update<br />
Please consult also the chapter on<br />
Castle in the book of Beppe Russotto<br />
“Rachette Italiane”, 2008.<br />
Company:<br />
In 1968 Leonardo Ottavianelli<br />
decided to diversify his production of<br />
accordions by adding tennis rackets.<br />
Several thousand rackets were made<br />
on a yearly basis. At the end of the<br />
1980's the company ended its<br />
activities in this field.<br />
Rackets manufactured/distributed:<br />
King, c. 1968<br />
Dumply, c. 1968<br />
C01, c. 1978<br />
Competition, c. 1980<br />
Driver, c. 1980<br />
Elite, c. 1980<br />
Master Pro, c. 1980<br />
Panter, c. 1980<br />
Special, c. 1980<br />
Galaxy, c. 1983<br />
Turnoy, c 1983<br />
Vega, c. 1984<br />
Derby, c. 1985<br />
Mach 1, c. 1985<br />
Mach 2, c. 1985<br />
Castle: King, c. 1968<br />
(eBay July 2008)<br />
231
Book of Tennis Rackets Italian Rackets<br />
New information:<br />
Dely<br />
Lugagnano Val d’Arda<br />
Italy<br />
Update<br />
Company:<br />
Beppe Russotto found an article in<br />
the newspaper Liberta Piacenca, published<br />
June 14, 1958.<br />
Abstract:<br />
„The Dely Company, now ten month<br />
old, produces tennis rackets and water<br />
skis. Players around the world use<br />
Dely rackets made in Lugagnano. Dr.<br />
Antonio Corvi from Fiorendola gave<br />
up his career as a pharmacist to become<br />
a designer and entrepreneur. He<br />
founded the Dely Company in 1957.<br />
First he started to manufacture Badminton<br />
rackets.<br />
„Dely“ derives from the mother of<br />
the owner Seniora Adele.<br />
At one time it is said that the famous<br />
Italian tennis champion Pietrangeli<br />
used a Dely racket.<br />
Dely made only rackets of wood. It<br />
did not enter the market with graphite<br />
or metal rackets. It closed its<br />
operations in 1981.<br />
The logo of the company shows a raven<br />
(the Italian name of the owner<br />
Corvi means raven in English).<br />
Flowers and Florentine lilies appeared<br />
often on decals of Dely.<br />
Rackets manufactured:<br />
Source: Dr. H. Kerling<br />
Record Super, c. 1968<br />
Senior, c. 1972<br />
Source: “Rachette Italiane” by<br />
Beppe Russotto<br />
Alcyon, c. 1960<br />
Big Bag, c. 1960<br />
Capitol, c. 1960<br />
Davis Cup, c. 1960<br />
Gymnasium, c. 1960<br />
Luxor, c. 1960<br />
President, c. 1960<br />
Senior, c. 1960<br />
Augusta, c 1965 to 1970<br />
Victor Lady, c 1970<br />
Fly, 1977<br />
Cris,,1979<br />
Dely: Record Super, c. 1968<br />
Courtesy Dr. H. Kerling<br />
Dely: Senior, c. 1972<br />
Courtesy Dr. H. Kerling<br />
233
Book of Tennis Rackets Italian Rackets<br />
Additional information to page 159:<br />
Fila<br />
Italy<br />
Company:<br />
Fila was created in Biella, Piedmont,<br />
by the Fila brothers in 1911. It originally<br />
started to make clothing for<br />
the people of the Italian Alps, then<br />
manufacturing sportswear for men,<br />
women, kids and athletes.<br />
The company's primary product was<br />
originally underwear before moving<br />
into sportswear in the 1970's initially<br />
with the endorsement of tennis<br />
player Bjorn Borg.<br />
In 1977 Fila decided to produce own<br />
tennis rackets. It became the largest<br />
racket factory which ever operated<br />
in Italy. It had a manufacturing capacity<br />
of 250 000 frames per year. It<br />
had also under contract the famous<br />
Italian champions Panatta and Bertolucci.<br />
Martin Mulligan was also a<br />
member of their consultant team.<br />
Racket production was stopped at the<br />
end of the 1980's.<br />
Composite, 1980<br />
Laminated frame. 8 plies. Coloured wood<br />
insert. Reinforced shoulders. One binding at<br />
shoulder. Lower part painted in black. Leather<br />
wrapped handle. My choice, your choice.<br />
Produced by Fila in Italy.<br />
Lady, c. 1980<br />
Super, 1981<br />
WCT Trofy, 1981<br />
System, 1984<br />
Graphite braided fibres on a foam core.<br />
Integrated yoke. Individual grommets. Frame<br />
painted in black with red and golden stripes.<br />
Foamed on handle. Leather wrapped.<br />
Oversize. Made in Belgium.<br />
Remark of author: The affix „Made<br />
in Belgium“ suggests that this racket<br />
was made by Snauwaert or Donnay.<br />
Astro Series 90, 1985<br />
Astro Series 110, 1985<br />
Champion, c. 1985<br />
Columbia, c. 1985<br />
Discovery, c. 1985<br />
Enterprise, c. 1985<br />
Fila: Wud3Three, 1977<br />
Update<br />
Rackets manufactured:<br />
Wud1One, 1977<br />
Wud2Two, 1977<br />
Wud3Three, 1977<br />
Laminated frame. 8 plies. Coloured wood and<br />
Vulcan fibre inserts. Reinforced shoulders.<br />
One binding at shoulder. Beech heart.<br />
Mahogany shingles. Leather wrapped handle.<br />
Produced by Fila in Italy. Endorsed by<br />
Francois Caujolle for championship play.<br />
Wud4Four, 1977<br />
Laminated frame. 8 plies. Coloured wood and<br />
Vulcan fibre inserts. Reinforced shoulders.<br />
One binding at shoulder. Mahogany heart. Ash<br />
shingles. Leather wrapped handle. Produced<br />
by Fila in Italy, frame only.<br />
Wud5Five, 1977<br />
Wud6Six, 1977<br />
Wud7Seven, 1977<br />
One, 1978<br />
Three, 1978<br />
Four, 1978<br />
Master, c. 1978<br />
Laminated frame. 8 plies. Coloured wood and<br />
Vulcan fibre inserts. Reinforced shoulders.<br />
One binding at shoulder. Lower part painted<br />
in black and silver. Leather wrapped handle.<br />
My choice, your choice. Produced by Fila in<br />
Italy.<br />
Mirage X-L, c. 1978<br />
Drawn aluminium painted black. Screwed in<br />
heart of black Nylon. Grommet strips. Foamed<br />
on handle. Oversize. Produced by Fila in Italy.<br />
All Play, 1980<br />
Fila: Lady, c. 1980<br />
(Source: Racket 24 Internet address)<br />
235
Book of Tennis Rackets Italian Rackets<br />
New information:<br />
Gallox (Giacomo Gallo)<br />
Via Poggio S. Seconda 35<br />
I 95041 Caltagirone/Sicily<br />
Italy<br />
Update<br />
Company:<br />
Giacomo Gallo claimed to have made<br />
an invention of a double surface strung<br />
racket.<br />
However, a racket named “Twin”<br />
strung in the same manner was already<br />
made by Intertennis, Renzo Reiss in<br />
c. 1982 (please refer to page 216 in<br />
the Book).<br />
Gallox: This racket was presented to the public in the year 2000<br />
Additional information to page 176:<br />
General Sports<br />
Corso Torino 44/4<br />
Genova<br />
Italy<br />
Please consult also the chapter on this<br />
company in the book of Beppe Russotto<br />
“Rachette Italiane”, 2008.<br />
Company:<br />
The initiative of Ido Alberton,<br />
chairman of the Italian association of<br />
tennis masters (AIMAT), led to the<br />
foundation of General Sports in the<br />
year 1967. The Italian company Dely<br />
made the rackets during the first two<br />
years and then General Sports<br />
manufactured the rackets in its own<br />
factory. The company was forced out<br />
of business in 1978 owing to financial<br />
difficulties.<br />
Rackets manufactured/distributed:<br />
Coupe Kramer, c. 1967<br />
Davis Cup, c. 1967<br />
Eagle, c. 1967<br />
Pierre Barthes, c. 1967<br />
Elite, c. 1970<br />
Match Ball, c. 1970<br />
Laminated frame. Concave. Nine plies. Vulcan<br />
fibre insert. Reinforced shoulders. With<br />
ash. Standard size. Five bindings at shoulder.<br />
One wrapping at shaft. Leather wrapped handle.<br />
On racket: Exclusive model, frame only by<br />
General Sports.<br />
Vedette, c. 1970<br />
Western, c. 1970<br />
Wimbledon, c. 1970<br />
Flexible. Laminated frame.<br />
Concave. Nine plies. Vulcan<br />
fibre insert. Reinforced<br />
shoulders. With ash. Standard<br />
size. Four bindings at<br />
shoulder. One wrapping at<br />
shaft. Leather wrapped<br />
handle. On racket: Exclusive<br />
model, frame only by<br />
General Sports.<br />
Bertolucci, c. 1976<br />
Laminated frame.<br />
Concave. Nine plies.<br />
Vulcan fibre insert.<br />
Reinforced shoulders.<br />
Standard size. With beech.<br />
Beech shingles. Leather<br />
wrapped handle. Remark:<br />
Named after the known<br />
Italian Player. On racket:<br />
Frame made by General<br />
Sports, Genoa, Italy.<br />
GS 1000, c. 1976<br />
Roimata, c. 1976<br />
Davis Equipment,<br />
c. 1977<br />
System 77, c. 1977<br />
General Sports: Bertolucci, c. 1976<br />
237
Book of Tennis Rackets Italian Rackets<br />
New information:<br />
M.A.R.A.C.<br />
Manufacture Racchette Chizzolini<br />
Via G. Teosa 3<br />
Brescia<br />
Italy<br />
Not covered in this book. Please<br />
consult the book of Beppe Russotto<br />
“Rachette Italiane”, 2008.<br />
This company (manufactured?) or<br />
distributed one aluminium racket<br />
named Jet-Tati in its construction<br />
similar to the Head Master in the<br />
mid 1970's.<br />
Additional information to page 262:<br />
Maxima (Società Anonima)<br />
Via Leopardi 23 (1941)<br />
Milan<br />
Italy<br />
Company:<br />
Riccardo Pietra, a good tennis<br />
player in the 1920's, and Giorgio<br />
Stanley Prouse, from New Zealand,<br />
approached Dunlop at the end of the<br />
1920's in order to market Dunlop<br />
products in Italy. The Fascist<br />
government, however, restricted<br />
imports in the mid of the 1930's.<br />
Therefore the two men decided to<br />
form their own company to<br />
manufacture tennis rackets in Milan:<br />
„Maxima“.<br />
May be the name of the most<br />
successful racket of all times, the<br />
Dunlop Maxply, which inspired them<br />
in choosing that name.<br />
Maxima started though again to<br />
distribute Dunlop models in Italy<br />
Update<br />
after the war (when import<br />
restrictions were lifted) and also gut<br />
strings made by the well-known<br />
French company Babolat.<br />
The Maxima Tournament Model<br />
was the most successful racket of the<br />
Maxima line. At the end of 1979, at<br />
Maxima‘s peak, it is reported that it<br />
had sold 90000 rackets of this model<br />
alone in one year.<br />
Famous players of many countries<br />
used Maxima rackets in their career.<br />
In the early 1990's Maxima and<br />
Babolat, the French world leader of<br />
gut strings, approached each other. In<br />
the mid 1990's Babolat took over the<br />
Maxima brand and introduced their<br />
own line of tennis rackets, however,<br />
using the brand name Babolat.<br />
(Please consult also the chapter on<br />
„Sirt“ in the Book page 321 what Mr.<br />
Gerhard Hammig, the German<br />
representative for Maxima for many<br />
years, had to report and also the<br />
chapter on AMASI in the section of<br />
this Update.)<br />
Table of Rackets Made by Maxima<br />
Model Years made<br />
Tempest ?<br />
Maxima 1936<br />
Diana 1940 1960<br />
Excelsa 1940 1976<br />
Idomita 1940<br />
Imperia 1940<br />
Intrepida 1940<br />
Invicta 1940<br />
Juventus 1940<br />
Torneo 1940 1970<br />
Aurea 1945<br />
Alba 1950<br />
Audax 1950 1960<br />
Marina 1950 1960<br />
Puma 1950 1960<br />
Super Service 1958<br />
Aeroflex (open heart) 1961 1976<br />
Superba 1961 1976<br />
Silvergold 1970<br />
Torneo Superflex 1970 1976<br />
Torneo Pietrangeli Photodecal 1970<br />
Super Service 1975<br />
Aristocrat 1976<br />
Caravelle 1976<br />
Comet 1976 1982<br />
Gold Cup 1976<br />
Maxiglass 1976<br />
Smash 1976 1977<br />
Suprema 1976<br />
Torneo de Luxe 1976<br />
Grand Slam 1977<br />
Torneo Junior 1977 1979<br />
Fortuna 1979<br />
Maxtra 1979<br />
Smash Match 1979<br />
Torneo Graphite 1979<br />
Evolution 540G 1980 1990<br />
Evolution 570G 1980 1990<br />
Evolution Boron 1980 1990<br />
Evolution Powerflex 1980 1990<br />
Project 1 1980 1990<br />
Project 2 1980 1990<br />
Project 3 1980 1990<br />
Syncro 50 1980 1990<br />
Synt 290 1980 1990<br />
Synt 310 GV 1980 1990<br />
Team 55 1980 1990<br />
Team 60 1980 1990<br />
Team 65 1980 1990<br />
Active Profiline 1980<br />
Admiral 1980<br />
Attack 1980<br />
Barazzutti Pro 1980<br />
Barazzutti Pro 1980<br />
Conquest 1980<br />
Eclat 1980<br />
Finalist 1980<br />
Grinta 1980<br />
Griphon 1980<br />
Hurlingam 1980<br />
Master Mid 1980<br />
Midacord 1980<br />
Midacord Boron 1980<br />
Midacord Graphite 1980<br />
Torneo Barazzutti 1980<br />
Torneo Master 1980<br />
Torneo Mid 1980<br />
Vampire 1980<br />
Vulkan 1980<br />
Hurricane 1983<br />
Evolution 1985<br />
Project 1985<br />
Pulsar 1985<br />
Quasar 1985<br />
Class 1986<br />
Logic 1986<br />
Polaris 1987<br />
Tech 1987<br />
Forma 1988<br />
Genesis 1988<br />
Idea 1989<br />
Profiline 1989<br />
Set 1989<br />
Power Control 1990<br />
Team 1990<br />
239
Book of Tennis Rackets Italian Rackets<br />
New information:<br />
Miller<br />
Torino<br />
Italy<br />
Please consult also the chapter on this<br />
company in the book “Rachette<br />
Italiane”, 2008, by Beppe Russotto.<br />
Update<br />
New information:<br />
Nava<br />
Verderio Superiore,<br />
in the Province of Lecco, Lombardy.<br />
(In 2008: Navamoto<br />
Via Europa 34 E/F<br />
24030 Medalago (Bergamo)<br />
Italy)<br />
Company:<br />
Miller founded his company in 1967.<br />
He had obtained a protective right<br />
(Brevetto per Modello Industriale) in<br />
Italy in 1960. It is suggested that it<br />
referred to the „Astral“ racket, which<br />
was one of the first ones (maybe the<br />
first) the frame of which was made<br />
of drawn tubular aluminium with an<br />
open-heart area.<br />
Nicola Pietrangeli, Italian champion,<br />
used the „Astral“ for years.<br />
Many other famous tennis players<br />
followed suit using Miller rackets<br />
with the trademark of two crossed<br />
tennis rackets.<br />
The company stopped selling rackets<br />
in 2005.<br />
Rackets manufactured/distributed:<br />
Astral, c. 1965, made of aluminium<br />
Panther, c. 1965, laminated wood.<br />
Nicola Pietrangeli used this racket in<br />
his later career.<br />
Graph 100, c. 1985, graphite<br />
Supermid pro, c. 1985<br />
Ceramic, c. 1988<br />
Konica New, c. 1989<br />
Body Tech, c. 1990<br />
Binaria 105, c. 1993<br />
Energy, c. 1993<br />
Dynapower, c. 2003<br />
Titan Pro, c 2004<br />
Protech, c. 2004<br />
Two crossed Tennis Rackets, trademark<br />
of Miller<br />
Miller: Astral, c.1965<br />
Both pictures reproduced from the<br />
book of Beppe Russotto<br />
Please consult also the chapter on this<br />
company in the book “Rachette<br />
Italiane”, 2008, by Beppe Russotto.<br />
Company:<br />
Navamoto S.A., known in the field<br />
of motorcycles, tried to diversify its<br />
production and entered the tennis<br />
racket business in 1978. Its first<br />
rackets were made by Castle, later by<br />
Donnay of Belgium. After only a few<br />
years it closed its racket division in<br />
1985.<br />
Rackets distributed with the Nava<br />
label:<br />
Line One, 1980<br />
Line Two, 1980<br />
Line Three, 1980<br />
Winning, 1980<br />
Evolution, 1981<br />
Carbon Grafite, 1983<br />
Expression Mid, 1983<br />
Flash Super, 1983<br />
Gran Slam, 1983<br />
Open Mid, 1983<br />
Black Line. 1984<br />
Carbonglass, 1984<br />
Hit Mid, 1984<br />
Panther Boron, 1984<br />
Caldon, 1985<br />
Lady Blue Line, 1985<br />
241
Book of Tennis Rackets Italian Rackets<br />
Additional information to page 280:<br />
Pecten<br />
Alpignano (province of Torino)<br />
Italy<br />
Update<br />
Please consult also the chapter on this<br />
company in the book “Rachette<br />
Italiane”, 2008, by Beppe Russotto.<br />
Company:<br />
Antonio Cultraro, specialist in<br />
bicycles, founded the Pecten<br />
Company in 1980 to produce rackets<br />
made of fibres embedded in epoxyresin.<br />
Graphite, Aramid and Kevlar<br />
and other synthetic fibres were used.<br />
In his factory he could produce in the<br />
company‘s peak time up to 100<br />
rackets a day. Wooden rackets were<br />
not offered, manufactured or<br />
distributed. The range of rackets<br />
made was limited to a few.<br />
Pecten: Italia, c. 1978?<br />
Rackets manufactured:<br />
Aramid, c. 1980<br />
Boron, c. 1980<br />
Ellypse, c. 1980<br />
Gr. 90, c. 1980<br />
Over Grafite, c. 1980<br />
Glass, c.1985<br />
In the Kuebler-collection:<br />
Italia, c. 1978-1980?<br />
Glass fibres embedded in epoxy. Open heart.<br />
Yoke of Nylon screwed in. Standard size.<br />
Grommet strips. With open areas. Glossy<br />
painted. Green. Foamed on handle, leather<br />
wrapped.<br />
Remark of the author:<br />
The construction of the „Italia“<br />
resembles that of the „Powerplay“ of<br />
Montana (page 268 in the Book),<br />
which was first produced in 1976 and<br />
which sold in large quantities. May I<br />
venture a guess that the frame was<br />
made by Montana for Pecten?<br />
The special design of the grommet<br />
strip of the „Italia“ shows apertures<br />
or perforations between the holes of<br />
the strings probably in order to save<br />
weight. This was of interest to the<br />
Head Development Department in<br />
1995 since it proved to be prior art<br />
and saved Head from a patent suit by<br />
a competitor.<br />
Trademark of Pecten shown on the<br />
butt cap of the Italia<br />
Close up of the grommet strip. The<br />
apertures can be detected easily.<br />
243
Book of Tennis Rackets Italian Rackets<br />
Additional information to page 282:<br />
Pirelli Technort<br />
Aviano<br />
Italy<br />
New information:<br />
Regina Sport<br />
Cinicella (suburb of Milan)<br />
Italy<br />
Update<br />
New information:<br />
Rollka<br />
Sarentino (province of Bolzana)<br />
Italy<br />
Company:<br />
The company introduced its rackets<br />
in 1988 presenting them to the public<br />
at the ISPO - Fair (Internationale<br />
Fachmesse für Sportartikel und<br />
Sportmode) in Munich. The retail<br />
price for the racket was listed at DM<br />
2500.-, which was and still is by far<br />
the most expensive racket ever<br />
offered in Germany (status 2008).<br />
There was no market for such an<br />
expensive racket. Its construction<br />
with rubber absorbing elements in the<br />
handle was, however, a new technical<br />
feature, which inspired other<br />
manufacturers to develop rackets with<br />
absorbing elements along this line in<br />
a modified manner (among them e.g.<br />
the Head Company). A Pirelli<br />
Technort racket in a collection is a<br />
scarcity.<br />
Please consult also the chapter on this<br />
company in the book “Rachette<br />
Italiane”, 2008, by Beppe Russotto.<br />
Company:<br />
This was a dealer selling accessories<br />
for bicycles and motorcycles. In the<br />
1970's 3000 tennis rackets were<br />
ordered and made by the Italian<br />
Company Sirt for Regina Sport,<br />
model Record.<br />
New information:<br />
Rush<br />
Torino<br />
Italy<br />
Please consult also the chapter on this<br />
company in the book “Rachette<br />
Italiane”, 2008, by Beppe Russotto.<br />
Company:<br />
Claudio Sala imported rackets with<br />
his trademark Rush from Taiwan in<br />
the early 1980's.<br />
Selling of rackets was given up at the<br />
end of the 1980's.<br />
Rackets distributed:<br />
Boron 858, 1985<br />
Rush 888, 1985<br />
Rush 77 Kevlar, 1985<br />
Astral, 1987<br />
Impuls, 1987<br />
International Team, 1987<br />
Professional, 1987<br />
Mistral, 1988<br />
Tornado, 1990<br />
Please consult also the chapter on this<br />
company in the book “Rachette<br />
Italiane”, 2008, by Beppe Russotto.<br />
Company:<br />
The company distributed the<br />
American “Dyna” rackets in Italy. It<br />
started to market its own tennis rackets<br />
in the early 1980's. It used the name<br />
AIMAT, which stands for the Italian<br />
Association of Tennis Pros. Rackets<br />
were made of extruded aluminium<br />
profiles and of fibres embedded in<br />
epoxy. The company lasted only a<br />
few years.<br />
Had the company anything to do with<br />
“Rollka grasski”? Skiing on grass?<br />
Rackets made/distributed:<br />
Aimat Durbin, 1981<br />
(probably made under licence of Professor<br />
Enoch Durbin, page 150 in the<br />
Book.)<br />
Duro Breack, 1983<br />
Duro Cup, 1983<br />
Duro Light, 1983<br />
Duro Over, 1983<br />
Duro Pro, 1983<br />
Duro Super, 1983<br />
Aimat Boron, 1984<br />
Aimat Composite, 1984<br />
Aimat Grafite, 1984<br />
Aimat Breack, 1985<br />
Aimat light, 1985<br />
Aimat Mid, 1985<br />
Aimat Over, 1985<br />
245
Book of Tennis Rackets Italian Rackets<br />
Racket in the collection of Beppe<br />
Russotto:<br />
Speciale<br />
SAIL, solid ash with steel inserts, with painted<br />
shoulders and combed handle. Shown on its<br />
butt end: Racchetta Italiana, SAIL, Milano,<br />
Via Barozzi, Tenere in Pressa.<br />
Estimated: 1930<br />
Racket in the Kuebler-collection:<br />
Bridge, per gara<br />
Rounded laminated frame. Reinforced<br />
shoulders with five bindings. Sycamore heart.<br />
Cedar shingles. Scored handle. Butt leather.<br />
Brass screw at wedge. On racket: Ludwig<br />
Lorenz, Berlin W50, Alleinvertrieb in<br />
Deutschland. On butt cap: „SAIL“.<br />
Estimated: 1930<br />
Racket in the Dr. Kerling collection:<br />
Bridge, per gara<br />
(per gara - translated: for tournament<br />
play)<br />
Estimated: 1935<br />
Rackets manufactured:<br />
Junior, c. 1925, convex wedge<br />
All other rackets listed: concave<br />
wedges.<br />
Folgore, c. 1930<br />
Special, c. 1930<br />
Bridge, c. 1930/32<br />
Pinquino, c. 1931 (Lorenz advertised<br />
for this racket in “Tennis und Golf”,<br />
in 1931).<br />
Corax, c. 1932<br />
Florentia Extra, c. 1932<br />
Gloria, c. 1932<br />
L.T.C. c. 1932<br />
San Marco, c. 1932,<br />
patented frame in two plies and metal<br />
ply-strengthening shoulders (Lorenz<br />
advertised for this racket in “Tennis<br />
und Golf”, in 1931).<br />
S.R. 203, c. 1932<br />
Supersail, c. 1932<br />
Colibri, c. 1935<br />
G. Palmieri, c. 1935<br />
Torneo Sail, c. 1938<br />
Additional information to page 391:<br />
Scaglia, Martino, S.A.<br />
Milan<br />
Italy<br />
Please consult also the chapter on this<br />
company in the book “Rachette<br />
Italiane”, 2008, by Beppe Russotto.<br />
Please amend in the Book page 391:<br />
Scaglia Revival, not c. 1960 but<br />
c. 1975.<br />
Company:<br />
The company made accessories for<br />
textile machinery since the end of the<br />
19th century. The company had its<br />
factory in Brembilla (Bergamo).<br />
In the beginning of the 1970's the<br />
brothers Scaglia added a new<br />
section to their traditional business:<br />
„Tennis by Scaglia“.<br />
In 1974 they presented their first<br />
racket, the frame of which was made<br />
of drawn aluminium tubing. They<br />
manufactured this racket on their own<br />
premises. They called this model:<br />
„Go“.<br />
Most of the rackets that were made<br />
of other materials than aluminium<br />
were ordered from Castle of<br />
Castelfidardo.<br />
Scaglia also made a motor driven<br />
electronically controlled stringing<br />
machine of superb quality which sold<br />
also well in Germany. It is reported<br />
that one thousand machines were sold<br />
in Italy alone in 1983.<br />
The trademark Scaglia disappeared<br />
from the tennis market in 2001.<br />
Rackets manufactured/distributed:<br />
Go, c. 1974 - aluminium<br />
Revival, c. 1975, laminated wood<br />
Go 102, c. 1977<br />
Go 301, c. 1977<br />
Futura, c. 1978<br />
Black Magic, c. 1979<br />
Go Leader, c. 1979, wood and<br />
graphite<br />
Go 401, c. 1983<br />
Go 501, c. 1983<br />
A. Panatta CT, 1984,<br />
- signature racket - graphite<br />
Dyna Pro, c. 1985<br />
Easy Mid Size, c. 1985<br />
Fiber 50, c. 1985<br />
Graphite, c. 1986<br />
Elite Pro, c. 1988<br />
Power Pro, c. 1988<br />
Kinetic Pro, c. 1990<br />
Master 110, c. 1990<br />
Pro Star, c. 1990<br />
Pro 90, c. 1990<br />
Update<br />
Scaglia: Revival, c. 1975 - trademark<br />
-<br />
Scaglia: trademark<br />
(from the book “Rachette Italiane”,<br />
2008, by Beppe Russotto)<br />
247
Book of Tennis Rackets Italian Rackets<br />
Additional information to page 321:<br />
S.I.R.T.<br />
Italy<br />
Please consult also the chapter on<br />
Tallero in the book of Beppe Russotto<br />
“Rachette Italiane”, 2008.<br />
Company:<br />
Sirt was most likely the first Italian<br />
company to manufacture tennis<br />
rackets. The town of Bordighera was<br />
then famous for its furniture industry<br />
and also for its British Tourists<br />
spending some of the wintertime at<br />
the Italian Riviera. Owing to this<br />
influence the Bordighera Lawn Tennis<br />
Club was founded as the very first<br />
one in Italy in October 1878. The first<br />
court was made according to<br />
“Wingfield’s” recommendations.<br />
International competitions were<br />
carried out annually. The trophy<br />
“Long Cup” was won by Frederick<br />
Billour as the first Italian player in<br />
1933. He was then manager and owner<br />
of the SIRT Company, which had a<br />
racket factory in Bordighera.<br />
Nada and Billour was founded in<br />
1901. In 19<strong>22</strong> the firm was taken over<br />
by John and Frederick Billour and it<br />
was only committed to the<br />
manufacture of wooden rackets and it<br />
was then that the SIRT name appeared<br />
(Società Italiano Racchetta di<br />
Tennis).<br />
(Please amend the spelling of Billcour<br />
in the Book to Billour).<br />
In 1936 P. John Stone and G. Stanley<br />
Prouse, until then distributing Dunlop<br />
tennis balls and rackets in Italy,<br />
formed a joint venture with SIRT and<br />
created the trademark Maxima. Sirt<br />
produced all rackets for Maxima.<br />
Hundreds of thousands, all kinds of<br />
different models, were made in the<br />
coming years. At the end of the 1980's<br />
(SIRT in 1989) both brands<br />
disappeared from the market after the<br />
competition became too stiff owing<br />
to cheap imports from Taiwan and the<br />
transition from wood to metal and<br />
fibre materials.<br />
Rackets in the Kuebler-collection:<br />
Prima, cork covered handle, c. 1937<br />
Sirtflex, c. 1957<br />
Sirtmatch, c. 1960 - „An American<br />
Model“.<br />
Prima, c. 1960<br />
Gold Cup Novasirt, c. 1960<br />
Special Junior, c. 1965<br />
Gold Cup de Luxe, c. 1965<br />
Sirtmatch, c. 1965<br />
Sirtwood, c. 1965<br />
Supermatch, c. 1965<br />
Source: “Rachette Italiane” by<br />
Beppe Russotto<br />
Rondine blue?<br />
Prima, c. 1940<br />
Primasirt,c. 1945<br />
Enneby, c. 1945<br />
Candida, c. 1945<br />
Champion, c. 1945<br />
Invicta, c. 1945<br />
Sirtex, c. 1945<br />
Superb, c. 1945<br />
Victor, c. 1945<br />
Sirtlamina, c. 1945-1964<br />
Sintonia, c. 1945-1973<br />
Flying Deer, c. 1953<br />
Novasirt, c. 1953-1975<br />
Sirtflex, c. 1953-1975<br />
Sirt Special, c. 1955-1975<br />
Biancasirt, c. 1956<br />
Professional, c. 1961<br />
Splendor, c. 1961<br />
Revence, c. 1962<br />
Professional Extra, c. 1963<br />
Super Prix,c. 1964<br />
Spesila Sirt, c. 1964<br />
Sirtmatch, c. 1964-1973<br />
Sirt Royal, c. 1964-1973<br />
Black and White, c. 1965<br />
Sirtwood, c. 1967-1973<br />
Blue Sirt, c. 1973-1975<br />
Victory, c. 1973-1978<br />
New Sirt, c. 1975<br />
Sirtflex, c. 1975<br />
Sirt Glass, c. 1975<br />
Sirt Line, c. 1975<br />
Super Match, c. 1975-1978<br />
Europe, c. 1978<br />
Carbon Line, c. 1979<br />
Evolution, c. 1979<br />
Futura 80 and 90, c. 1979<br />
Ace of Diamonds, c. 1987<br />
Ceramic, c. 1987<br />
S Graph, c. 1987<br />
Advantage, c. 1988<br />
Avenger, c. 1988<br />
Flex, c. 1988<br />
Super Control, c. 1989<br />
Ace 9000, c. 1990<br />
Ace 3300, c. 1991<br />
Ace 7000, c. 1991<br />
Ace 7700, c. 1991<br />
Update<br />
249
Book of Tennis Rackets Italian Rackets<br />
New information:<br />
Tallero<br />
Via Giambellino (1948)<br />
Milan<br />
Italy<br />
Company:<br />
Officine Elettroferroviarie Tallero,<br />
abbreviated O.E.F. as shown on two<br />
advertisements of Tallero for its tennis<br />
rackets in 1948 and 49 (please consult<br />
the chapter on Tallero in the book of<br />
Beppe Russotto “Rachette Italiane”,<br />
2008), was a company that produced<br />
streetcars. It became well known in<br />
1928 when it made twenty-eight<br />
“Peter Witt” American designed<br />
streetcars for the city of Milan.<br />
B. Russotto writes:<br />
„We believe that the distribution of<br />
sports equipment for tennis, skiing<br />
and other disciplines has been a diversification<br />
of production shortly<br />
before WW II. The company did not<br />
manufacture rackets itself. They all<br />
were made by SIRT of Bordighera.“<br />
The brand name Tallero (for sports)<br />
could not be traced any more after<br />
1960.<br />
Update<br />
Rackets distributed with the brand<br />
name Tallero:<br />
Selene, c. 1940<br />
Arciera, c. 1940<br />
Nastro Azzuro, c. 1950<br />
Nike, c. 1950<br />
Supernike, c 1950<br />
Reproduced from the book of Beppe<br />
Russotto “Rachette Italiane”, 2008,<br />
page 89.<br />
Advertisement for Tallero rackets in<br />
1949.<br />
O.E.F. is shown on the left side for<br />
Officine Elettroferroviarie<br />
Debenture bond of Officine Elettroferroviarie Tallero, Milano,<br />
1952. Offered for collectors at eBay, June 2008.<br />
Advertisement 1949<br />
Poster for the Tallero racket Nike<br />
1950<br />
Streetcar in Milan<br />
(still in use today - 2008?)<br />
251
Book of Tennis Rackets Italian Rackets<br />
New information:<br />
Tepa Sport<br />
Rossano Veneto (Vi)<br />
Italy<br />
New information:<br />
Verdun<br />
Torino<br />
Italy<br />
New information:<br />
Zanotta<br />
Mezzegra (Co)<br />
Italy<br />
Update<br />
Please consult also the chapter on this<br />
company in the book of Beppe Russotto<br />
“Rachette Italiane”, 2008.<br />
Company:<br />
The company was specialized in<br />
footwear especially for soccer. It<br />
introduced some rackets with the trade<br />
name Tepa, which were made by<br />
Castle of Castelfida.<br />
Rackets distributed:<br />
Record, c. 1975<br />
Long Line, c. 1975<br />
Please consult also the chapter on this<br />
company in the book of Beppe Russotto<br />
“Rachette Italiane”, 2008.<br />
Company:<br />
Not much is known about this<br />
company. On labels on a few rackets<br />
in a collection is printed:<br />
Specializzata Fabbrica Articoli<br />
Sportivi, VERDUN, M. Patore -<br />
Torino.<br />
Rackets distributed:<br />
Capricciosa, c. 1940<br />
Graziosa, c. 1940<br />
Please consult also the chapter on this<br />
company in the book of Beppe Russotto<br />
“Rachette Italiane”, 2008.<br />
Company:<br />
The factory was formerly engaged in<br />
making equipment for the silk industry<br />
and also motorboats. The owner was<br />
Zanotta and later his son.<br />
Around 1940 they discovered a market<br />
for tennis rackets. They produced<br />
rackets for other companies as well,<br />
for WIP and Maxima to mention the<br />
most important ones.<br />
Racket manufactured.<br />
Lario, c. 1948<br />
Challenge, c. 1970<br />
Kadett, c. 1980<br />
Verdun: Graziosa, c. 1940,<br />
courtesy: Beppe Russotto<br />
253
Book of Tennis Rackets Rackets of other countries<br />
Update<br />
Contents:<br />
Austrian Rackets<br />
Head Sportgeräte<br />
Mühlhauser’s Josef, Nachfolger<br />
Stramitzer<br />
Thonet Gebr.<br />
Trebitsch, Brüder<br />
Wunderlich, Carl<br />
Belgian Rackets<br />
Donnay Sporting Goods<br />
Snauwaert<br />
Canadian Rackets<br />
Diadal<br />
Kingfox<br />
Wilson (The Harold A.) Company<br />
Czechoslovakian Rackets<br />
Neubauer, Josef<br />
Artis<br />
South American Rackets<br />
Procópio<br />
Swedish Rackets<br />
Svenska Racketfabriken<br />
Swiss Rackets<br />
Fritsch & Cie<br />
Staub, Richard<br />
Stella<br />
Taiwanese Rackets<br />
RoxPro International Corp.<br />
Mitsushiba<br />
Hungarian Rackets<br />
ASBÓTH JÓZSEF<br />
Indian Rackets<br />
Harma’s<br />
Japanese Rackets<br />
Mizuno<br />
Mimatsu & Co.<br />
Korean Rackets<br />
Esquire<br />
Netherlands Rackets<br />
Tennisay or Tennisa<br />
Wifra<br />
Pinguin<br />
No Name Rackets<br />
Pakistani Rackets<br />
Bhalla & Co.<br />
Mahboob<br />
J. S. Uberoi & Sons<br />
Russian Rackets<br />
Vostok<br />
255
Book of Tennis Rackets Austrian Rackets<br />
Additional information to page 201:<br />
Head Sportgeräte GmbH<br />
Amendment:<br />
The description of patent No.<br />
3.702.701 including the inventor’s<br />
name was given unfortunately for<br />
patent No. 3.702.189. For the stated<br />
patent, however, it should read:<br />
3 702 701<br />
Application filed Aug. 28, 1969<br />
Patented Nov. 14, 1972<br />
16 claims<br />
Metal Tennis Racket With Plastic<br />
Throat Piece and Molded Plastic Handle<br />
Abstract: ...the metal strip forming the<br />
racket has a first channel in its outer and<br />
a second in its inner periphery. A plastic<br />
throat piece is provided to fit the<br />
Update<br />
configuration of the inner channel. The<br />
racket has further a solid plastic handle<br />
of a foamed material...<br />
Inventors: George A. Vaughn and<br />
Richard D. Hargrave, Princeton N.J.,<br />
U.S.A.<br />
Assignors to Maark Corporation<br />
(This mistake was discovered by Rich<br />
McCormack in 2002)<br />
Head applied Electronics to<br />
Tennis Rackets for the first time<br />
Excerpt from:<br />
The first tennis racket with an active<br />
dampening system: the i.S18 Chipsystem<br />
from Head<br />
by Herfried Lammer,<br />
Chief of the HEAD Technology Centre<br />
in Kennelbach, Austria<br />
Head introduced the first electronic<br />
dampened tennis racket, the i.S18<br />
(Fig. 1), in 2001. It was designed<br />
employing the properties of smart<br />
such as piezoelectric materials, which<br />
can influence the dynamics of the<br />
frame.<br />
How does it work? What are the<br />
physical basics? What are the benefits<br />
for the player?<br />
Tennis players of today with a short,<br />
compact swing expect a lot of power<br />
from the racket. This means, although<br />
the speed of their racket is low at<br />
Fig. 1 – Head: i.S18 Chipsystem<br />
impact, that they want to drive the ball<br />
far into the other side of the court. On<br />
the other hand the racket should also<br />
compensate for the player’s typical<br />
miss hits. These produce strong<br />
vibrations in the frame, which are<br />
transferred to the player’s hand.<br />
Mechanical dampening systems may<br />
help but usually at the expense of the<br />
‘feel’ (backfeed) for the player.<br />
It is well known that the vibrations at<br />
impact are so called ‘free-free’<br />
vibrations. The influence of the hand<br />
independent of how tightly you try to<br />
grip the handle is negligible. The most<br />
important mode is the bending mode<br />
of the first order in the neighbourhood<br />
of 200 Hz for the i.S18. An analysis<br />
done with the help of a Finite Element<br />
Analysis program shows this mode as<br />
well as the areas inside the racket<br />
together with the maximum<br />
deformation energy associated with<br />
them. (Fig.2)<br />
Fig. 2 – Vibration Analysis<br />
Fig. 3 – Voltage generated by the AFC<br />
In these areas the piezoelectric<br />
materials, we use piezoceramic fibres,<br />
should be positioned for optimum<br />
results.<br />
The bending of the racket at impact<br />
deforms these piezoceramic fibres. On<br />
the upper side they get longer, on the<br />
lower side they get shorter and viceversa<br />
until the imposed vibration<br />
stops. Mechanical energy is being<br />
transformed into electrical energy.<br />
The fibres can generate peaks of about<br />
600V for each average stroke of a ball<br />
with the racket (Fig. 3).<br />
What are Active Fibre Composites<br />
(AFC)?<br />
Head uses piezoceramic fibres with a<br />
diameter of 250µm, which are laminated<br />
between polyamide films. They are<br />
printed with interdigitated electrodes.<br />
This technology was developed by<br />
the Massachusetts Institute of<br />
Technology in Cambridge, Mass., and<br />
Head produces these AFC with a<br />
license of the patents US 5,869,189<br />
and US 6,048,6<strong>22</strong>.<br />
Reasons for using piezoceramic fibres<br />
instead of conventional ceramic<br />
wafers:<br />
The AFC are flexible and can be<br />
bent to suit any curved surface like<br />
the one of a racket.<br />
The AFC can take a lot of wear. The<br />
system still works if some of the<br />
fibre should break.<br />
The AFC are of a directional design<br />
and can be placed accordingly for<br />
maximum efficiency (Fig. 4).<br />
How does the chip work?<br />
The incoming positive voltage from<br />
the AFC is accumulated in the chip.<br />
The electric current will be returned to<br />
the AFC with a negative voltage after<br />
a preset (very short) time interval.<br />
The current shortens the fibres now,<br />
which have been elongated owing to<br />
the mechanical vibrations.<br />
256
Book of Tennis Rackets Austrian Rackets<br />
Update<br />
The contraction of the fibres helps<br />
the frame of the racket to attain again<br />
its original straight position.<br />
We call this process:<br />
active dampening.<br />
The electrical energy supplied by the<br />
AFC is the only power source for the<br />
chip (electronic circuit). No batteries<br />
are required hence.<br />
Does this technology conform to the<br />
rule 4 of the ITF (International Tennis<br />
Federation)?<br />
With the introduction of the i.S18<br />
Chipsystem the ITF proposed a change<br />
to rule 4 of the Rules of Tennis.<br />
“No energy source that in any way<br />
changes or affects the playing<br />
characteristics of a racket may be built<br />
into or attached to a racket”.<br />
To clarify this sentence Case 5 was<br />
added.<br />
“Case 5: Can a battery that affects<br />
playing characteristics be<br />
incorporated into a racket?<br />
Decision: No. A battery is prohibited<br />
because it is an energy source, as are<br />
solar cells and other similar devices”.<br />
The ITF clearly states that rackets like<br />
the HEAD i.S18 are within the rules,<br />
as the self-powered ‘Intellifibres’<br />
transform the mechanical energy from<br />
the impact into electrical energy and<br />
use this electrical energy again; there<br />
is no external energy source.<br />
How does ‘active dampening’ affect<br />
a tennis elbow?<br />
This technology alone would not<br />
justify a relatively high price tag for<br />
such a racket. The most important<br />
argument comes from a study, which<br />
was started independently by Dr. Werner<br />
Zirngibl regarding the<br />
Epicondylitis Radialis commonly<br />
known as tennis elbow. He was a<br />
successful German tennis player, 14<br />
times German Champion, and is now a<br />
specialist for orthopaedic treatment<br />
in Munich. He has handed out rackets<br />
to players who had problems with<br />
tennis elbow. There were two groups<br />
of people, one group with pain in the<br />
elbow for more than six weeks but had<br />
not tried other medical treatments and<br />
a chronic group, where people have<br />
been suffering from tennis elbow for<br />
more than three months and have tried<br />
many different medical treatments. The<br />
study specified that each player had<br />
Fig. 4 – Positioning of the AFC in the<br />
Head i.S18 racket<br />
Fig. 6 – Incoming voltage and the<br />
response<br />
to play at least twice a week. After six<br />
weeks the results concluded that for<br />
the chronic group there was either a<br />
small improvement or none at all.<br />
However, for the acute group every<br />
person had an improvement, with a<br />
very high percentage even claiming a<br />
complete recovery from pain.<br />
Literature<br />
Bent A.A., Hagood N.W., Piezoelectric<br />
fibre composites with interdigitated<br />
electrodes, Journal of Intelligent Material<br />
Systems and Structures, 1997,<br />
903-919<br />
Kotze J., Lammer H., Cottey R.,<br />
Zirngibl W., The effects of active<br />
piezofibre rackets on tennis elbow,<br />
Tennis Science & Technology 2, ITF<br />
2003<br />
Fig. 5 Electronic circuit placed in the<br />
handle of the Head i.S18<br />
Fig. 7 – Vibrations of a conventional<br />
racket (red) vs. the Head i.S18 (blue)<br />
Rackets manufactured with this<br />
feature:<br />
2001:<br />
i.S18 Chipsystem<br />
2002:<br />
I.x16 Chipsystem<br />
2004:<br />
Protector MP<br />
Protector OS<br />
257
Book of Tennis Rackets Austrian Rackets<br />
Update<br />
Additional information to page 623:<br />
Mühlhauser’s, Josef,<br />
Nachfolger<br />
Hans Steinbach & Gustav Resch,<br />
Hoflieferanten<br />
founded 1859<br />
Address until 1902:<br />
Rauhensteinstr. No. 8<br />
Wien, I.<br />
They moved to<br />
Kärnthnerstrasse Nr. 28, late 1902<br />
Austria<br />
(from a catalogue “Sommerspiele und<br />
Sports”, Frühjahrs Saison 1902, from<br />
the company in possession of Dr.<br />
Heiner Kerling)<br />
Company:<br />
A larger store in Vienna with a separate<br />
sporting goods department.<br />
Rackets distributed:<br />
From a catalogue of the firm,<br />
new in 1902:<br />
Burcke, made in Nice to the<br />
recommendations of the renowned<br />
professional Thomas Burcke.<br />
Mühlhauser’s: Catalogue 1902<br />
New information:<br />
Stramitzer, Rudolf<br />
Börsendorferstr. 1<br />
Wien I<br />
Rackets distributed with own name:<br />
Stramitzer, laminated racket,<br />
concave, reinforced shoulders.<br />
Estimated: 1935<br />
258
Book of Tennis Rackets Austrian Rackets<br />
Additional information to page 387:<br />
Thonet Gebr.<br />
Update<br />
Company:<br />
Please consult www.thonet.de English<br />
version.<br />
Racket in the collection of Heiner<br />
Kerling:<br />
Giant, Controlmarke VIII), solid frame,<br />
combed handle, mahogany heart,<br />
cedar shingles. The handle shows 4<br />
unusual 1 cm long recessions on each<br />
side of the handle.<br />
Estimated: 1900<br />
Comment of Peter Ellenberg, author<br />
of the ‘Thonet-Book’, in a letter to<br />
Heiner Kerling:<br />
The Giant was probably first made<br />
and sold using the name ‘Achilles’.<br />
This is assumed from the<br />
‘Controlmarke VIII’ impressed on the<br />
racket. This model was first made in<br />
1896. Only 52 were manufactured in<br />
this year. The production was slightly<br />
increased reaching 88 in 1905. The<br />
production of rackets was drastically<br />
reduced thereafter owing to a big<br />
blaze in the manufacturing plant in<br />
‘Koritschan’ and this particular<br />
model was discontinued.<br />
Comment of Peter Ellenberg to<br />
Siegfried Kuebler in 2002:<br />
The ‘Controlmarke’ XXVb of the<br />
Agalia suggests that this racket was<br />
made from about 1907 to 1921. The<br />
affix a), b) or c) refer to the strings.<br />
a) best quality<br />
b) good quality<br />
c) quality for beginners.<br />
The models were marked with<br />
continuous numbers. VIII, which is 8,<br />
was much earlier made than the XXV,<br />
which is 25. The XXV was made in the<br />
following quantities:<br />
1910: with strings:<br />
a) 24 b) 43 c) 106<br />
1913: a) 25 b) <strong>22</strong> c) 76<br />
1914: a) 55 b) 30 c) 99<br />
1918: a) 48 b) 1 c) 56<br />
1921: a) 7 b) 9 c) 5<br />
These low manufacturing quantities<br />
are the reason for the rarity of all<br />
Thonet rackets.<br />
Excerpt from a Thonet Catalogue<br />
Thonet: Aglaia, Controlmarke XXVb,<br />
c. 1908<br />
(Please change year from 1898 to 1908<br />
in the book page 391)<br />
259<br />
Thonet: Giant, Controlmarke VIII,<br />
c. 1900<br />
“Lawn-Tennis”, 1901:<br />
“Sales offices in the whole world e.g.<br />
Berlin, Moscow, New York, Vienna,<br />
Paris, London, Milan, Madrid.” –<br />
“Some English companies buy our<br />
rackets and sell them with their own<br />
name.”<br />
Rackets manufactured:<br />
1897/98:<br />
Ia<br />
Twelve models from I to XI and<br />
additionally the T.B.<br />
1898/99:<br />
New: XII to XVI<br />
1900/1901:<br />
Complete list of manufactured rackets:<br />
Gnom children’s racket, price RM 6.-<br />
Ia RM 14.-<br />
Ib RM 12.-<br />
Ic RM 10.-<br />
IVa Aglaia RM 12.-<br />
IVa Aphrodite RM 13.-<br />
IVb Phönix RM 10.-<br />
IVc Telemach RM 8.-<br />
V RM 7.-<br />
VIa Ajax RM 14.-<br />
VIa Hektor RM 12.-<br />
VIb Diomedes RM 10.-<br />
VIc RM 8.-<br />
VII Excelsior RM <strong>22</strong>.-
Book of Tennis Rackets Austrian Rackets<br />
Update<br />
VIII Achilles RM 16.-<br />
IXa The T.B. RM 24.-<br />
IXb The T.B. RM <strong>22</strong>.-<br />
Xa Themis RM 26.-<br />
Xb Themis RM 24.-<br />
XI Zeus RM 30.-<br />
XII Castor RM 26.-<br />
XIV Pollux RM 20.-<br />
XV Helena RM 24.-<br />
XVI R.v. Fichard RM 26.-<br />
XVII T.C.S. – RM 28.-<br />
Tennis Club Sarajevo,<br />
(new this year)<br />
Lawn-Tennis Boxes:<br />
Box Nr. 1 (most expensive box)<br />
complete with posts, net, two rackets<br />
Nr. IVa with aluminium bumper guards<br />
and two rackets Nr. IVa, two doz. tennis<br />
balls, etc.<br />
Box Nr. 2 (medium price)<br />
complete with posts, net, two rackets<br />
Nr. IVb and two rackets Nr. VIb, one<br />
doz. tennis balls, etc.<br />
Box Nr. 3 (low price)<br />
complete with posts, net, four rackets<br />
Nr. V, one doz. tennis balls, etc.<br />
All rackets can be supplied with<br />
additional features described below:<br />
Bumper guard Bosna. New, in 1901. It<br />
extends over the sides of the profile.<br />
Bumper guard of Aluminium, ditto.<br />
Wrapping around shoulders, to<br />
prevent breakage of the frame.<br />
Fishtail handle<br />
Silver plate with Monogram attached<br />
to the throat piece.<br />
Silver plate with Monogram attached<br />
to the butt end.<br />
Handle rubber tube, smooth or<br />
corrugated.<br />
Caoutchouc, India rubber band, to<br />
wrap the handle, new this year.<br />
Gnom<br />
Children’s racket<br />
No Controlmarke<br />
Racket Nr. IV<br />
Controlmarke: *IV*<br />
Aglaia *IVa*<br />
Phönix *IVb*<br />
Telemach *IVc*<br />
Racket Nr. V<br />
with hammer handle<br />
Controlmarke: *V*<br />
Racket Nr. VI<br />
Controlmarke:<br />
*VI*<br />
Ajax *VIa*<br />
Hektor *VIa*<br />
Diomedes *VIb*<br />
only *VIc*<br />
Racket Nr. I<br />
Controlmarke: *I*<br />
only *Ia*<br />
only *Ib*<br />
only *Ic*<br />
Racket Nr. IV<br />
Controlmarke:<br />
*IVa*<br />
Aphrodite *IVa*<br />
shown with fishtail<br />
handle<br />
260
Book of Tennis Rackets Austrian Rackets<br />
Update<br />
Racket Nr. XVI<br />
R. v. Fichard<br />
Controlmarke *XVI*<br />
New 1898<br />
Racket Nr. VIII<br />
Controlmarke:<br />
*VIII*<br />
Achilles *VIII*<br />
Racket Nr. VII<br />
Controlmarke:<br />
*VII*<br />
Excelsior *VII*<br />
Racket Nr. XVII<br />
T.C.S<br />
(Tennis Club<br />
Sarajevo)<br />
Controlmarke<br />
*XVII*<br />
New 1901<br />
handle Waistline Butterfly<br />
Racket Nr. IX<br />
The T. B.<br />
first “Prima”quality with<br />
Controlmarke: *IXa*<br />
The T. B.<br />
second “Secunda” quality<br />
with Controlmarke *IXb*<br />
Fantail handle<br />
Racket Nr. X<br />
Themis<br />
first quality with<br />
Controlmarke: *Xa*<br />
Themis<br />
second quality with<br />
Controlmarke *Xb*<br />
handle Bulbous<br />
Racket Nr. XI<br />
Controlmarke:<br />
*XI*<br />
Zeus *XI*<br />
cork handle<br />
Racket Nr. XII<br />
Controlmarke:<br />
*XII*<br />
Castor *XIIa*<br />
261
Book of Tennis Rackets Austrian Rackets<br />
Update<br />
Rackets manufactured:<br />
Please amend on page 390:<br />
1905:<br />
Standard No. 20, control mark XXb<br />
instead of XXIb<br />
Printing error: The Standard No. 20<br />
was listed twice.<br />
Taken from the “Thonet’schen<br />
Zentralanzeiger”, No. <strong>22</strong>”, Vienna,<br />
May 25, 1907.<br />
c. 1900<br />
Star Hard Stroke, solid ash, concave,<br />
cedar shingles on handle.<br />
c. 1924<br />
Sidar<br />
c. 1928<br />
Photographs courtesy Dr. H. Kerling.<br />
There was a fire destroying most of<br />
the factory in Koritschan in 1906 (or<br />
early 1907). Therefore the production<br />
of rackets was limited to only a few<br />
unfinished frames, which were spared<br />
from the flames.<br />
They were:<br />
1907:<br />
Paragon, Nr. 19, Kontrollmarke XVIV<br />
Mentor, Nr. 20, Kontrollmarke XX<br />
Princess, Nr. 21, Kontrollmarke XXI<br />
Witch, Nr. <strong>22</strong>, Kontrollmarke XXII<br />
Possibly also the models:<br />
Standard, Nr. 20b and Lady, Nr. <strong>22</strong>b<br />
1928:<br />
From a catalogue of Thonet,<br />
c. 1928:<br />
“Distribution of weight”.<br />
In order to comply with the demands<br />
for various weights of head and<br />
handle, we have introduced a system<br />
of lettering by which a racket of the<br />
desired weight and balance can be<br />
ordered.<br />
B – normal handle weight<br />
C – balanced<br />
D – head weight<br />
The letter is stamped next to the weight<br />
in ounces<br />
c. 1928:<br />
Davis Cup, concave, chequered<br />
mahogany shingles for the handle<br />
Special, ditto<br />
Elastic, ditto<br />
Hard Stroke, ditto<br />
Wimbledon<br />
Standard, ditto<br />
Champion, lower price racket<br />
Junior<br />
Racket in the collection of Dr. H.<br />
Kerling:<br />
Giant, with Controlmarke VIII<br />
Thonet: Giant c. 1900<br />
Please note the unusually shaped<br />
concave flanks of the handle<br />
Rackets in the collection of Dr. H.<br />
Kerling:<br />
*Ib*, just this ‘Controlmarke’ is shown<br />
on the racket. Flattop. convex.<br />
Estimated: 1899<br />
Union, ‘Controlmarke’ *IVa*, convex,<br />
slightly flat-topped, rounded handle.<br />
Estimated: 1901<br />
Mentor ‘Controlmarke’ *XX*, convex.<br />
Estimated: 1902<br />
Thonet *XVIII*, not mentioned in any<br />
Thonet Catalogue available, convex,<br />
slightly flat-topped.<br />
Estimated: 1903<br />
Thonet: Star Hard Stroke, c. 1924<br />
Thonet *XVIII* c. 1903<br />
262
Book of Tennis Rackets Austrian Rackets<br />
Update<br />
Thonet: Mentor‘ Controlmarke’ *XX*, c. 1902<br />
Photograph Dr. H. Kerling<br />
spacing between strings 6 to 7 mm<br />
throat-piece: small and concave<br />
chamfered on the inside<br />
Drawn from “Fichard, Deutsches<br />
Lawn-Tennis-Jahrbuch 1902”,<br />
page 95.<br />
Thonet Model “Fichard” 1902<br />
Ad in “Deutsches-Lawn-Tennis-Jahrbuch” 1909<br />
263
Book of Tennis Rackets Austrian Rackets<br />
Update<br />
Thonet: Pollux, frame and the convex<br />
wedge are bevelled to the inside.<br />
Dr. Kerling estimates that this<br />
particular beautiful racket in his<br />
possession was made about 1900.<br />
Thonet-Mundus: Left Thonet circle-logo, right FRT-logo.<br />
These are the logos used for the<br />
second period of racket-manufacture<br />
(c. 1923-1940). FRT = my guess the<br />
abbreviation of Fratres Thonet<br />
(Latin), in English Thonet Bros. The<br />
slogan “In corpore sano, mens sana”<br />
is also in Latin. (It is to be prayed that<br />
the mind be sound in a sound body.)<br />
Reproduction from a German ad in<br />
“Deutscher Lawn-Tennis-Verband in<br />
der Tschechoslowakischen Republik,<br />
Lawn-Tennis-Handbuch, Offizielles<br />
Jahrbuch, Ausgabe 1928<br />
The company reorganised itself and<br />
changed its name from Thonet to<br />
Thonet-Mundus. Dr. H. Kerling, fellow<br />
collector, guesses that this occurred<br />
in 1923. He is of the opinion that the<br />
“Star” racket shown on the ad of 1928,<br />
but presumably already made since<br />
1923, was the beginning of its new<br />
“Star” series e.g. “Star Hard Stroke”<br />
and “Star Super Speed”.<br />
Ad in Lawn-Tennis-Handbuch,<br />
Offizielles Jahrbuch, Ausgabe<br />
1928<br />
264
Book of Tennis Rackets Austrian Rackets<br />
Update<br />
Thonet: Hetman c. 1930<br />
Thonet: Hektor c. 1901,<br />
Controlmarke * VI a *<br />
Both rackets in the collection of Dr. Kerling<br />
265
Book of Tennis Rackets Austrian Rackets<br />
Update<br />
266
Book of Tennis Rackets Austrian Rackets<br />
Update<br />
1901<br />
No. 4830<br />
Austrian patent<br />
Application filed April 13, 1900<br />
Issued April 1, 1901<br />
Schutzvorrichtung an Tennis-<br />
Schlagnetzen (bumper strips to<br />
protect wooden frame).<br />
Abbreviated claim: ...bumper strips on<br />
both sides of a racket of a resilient<br />
material, such as leather, extending<br />
over the top rim in such a way as to<br />
protect the wooden frame when hitting<br />
a ball and thereby accidentally<br />
touching the floor of the court ...<br />
Applicant: Gebrüder Thonet, Vienna<br />
1901<br />
GB190008360<br />
Great Britain<br />
Issued March 30, 1901<br />
Racquet presses<br />
Abstract: Presses for tennis racquets are formed of two corresponding metal<br />
crosses, the arms of which are strengthened by ribs. The two crosses are<br />
pressed together by clamps so as to hold the frame of the racquet between<br />
them. The clamps work in inclined slots in the ribs of the frame, and engage<br />
the ribs of the frame. To separate the crosses, the clamps are moved<br />
outwards and then swung upwards. The crosses may be combined with<br />
cases for holding the racquets.<br />
Inventors: Huber Victor Carl, Thonet August, Thonet Jacob, Thonet Carl,<br />
Thonet Julius, Thonet Theodor, Thonet Alfred.<br />
Identical with German patent 1<strong>22</strong> 784 described on page 497 in the<br />
“Book” and Austrian Patent No. 5907 issued Nov. 25, 1901<br />
267
Book of Tennis Rackets Austrian Rackets<br />
New information:<br />
Trebitsch, Brüder<br />
Gummiwarenfabrik<br />
Himbergerstr. 92<br />
Wien X<br />
Update<br />
Company:<br />
Makers of many different products<br />
made of rubber.<br />
Lawn tennis balls<br />
In an advertisement from c. 1910 the<br />
company offers its tennis balls, which<br />
were covered in grey or natural red.<br />
They were red or white and black<br />
‘enamelled’.<br />
(Ad in German: Lawn Tennis-Bälle,<br />
grau, naturroth, überzogen. Roth-,<br />
weiß- und schwarz emailliert).<br />
New information:<br />
Wunderlich, Carl<br />
Racket-Fabrik<br />
Wien III/2<br />
Austria<br />
(contributed by Dr. Heiner<br />
Kerling)<br />
Company:<br />
No information available.<br />
Patent:<br />
English Patent No. 21533. Year of<br />
patent issue not available.<br />
Translation of the ad, which appeared<br />
in “Jahrbuch des Deutschen Lawn<br />
Tennisbundes<br />
1911/12”:<br />
The Conqueror Antiwet-Mixed.<br />
New in 1911<br />
“Goldband”. Tightest<br />
and long-lasting<br />
tension. Resistant to<br />
dampness. Available in<br />
all fine sporting goods<br />
stores at home and<br />
abroad.<br />
Racket manufactured:<br />
1911:<br />
The Conqueror Antiwet-Mixed<br />
Goldband<br />
268
Book of Tennis Rackets Belgian Rackets<br />
Additional information to page 125:<br />
Donnay Sporting Goods<br />
Fellow collector Michel Guilluy, from<br />
Arlon in Belgium, an expert on the<br />
history of the Donnay company and<br />
an enthusiast in collecting its tennis<br />
Table of logos used by DONNAY<br />
rackets, drew up a table giving details<br />
on logos, which were used on its<br />
rackets and which allow estimates of<br />
the date of any Donnay racket in a<br />
Logo on Donnay wood rackets<br />
Update<br />
collection. He also provided the<br />
photos on the next pages to show<br />
most of the logos described.<br />
1933 <br />
1950<br />
1950-<br />
1956<br />
1956-<br />
1963<br />
1963-<br />
1968<br />
1968-<br />
1973<br />
1973-<br />
1976<br />
1977-<br />
1985<br />
First generation logo (1933 to 1960)<br />
1 Signature E. Donnay<br />
2 Signature A.J. Donnay<br />
3 A Donnay Production<br />
4 Controlled frame guaranteed /<br />
golden D in a ring with player<br />
5 Golden D in oval ring between<br />
crown and laurels<br />
6 Donnay Special Resin bonded<br />
Second generation logo (1960 to 1970)<br />
7 Donnay on wedge<br />
8 For Championship Play<br />
9 Square D (handle and/or butt<br />
cap)<br />
10 D on a triangle<br />
11 Radio Frequency Resin<br />
Bonded<br />
12 Perfect Balance<br />
13 Speed Flex Fibre Face<br />
Third generation logo (1970 to 1977)<br />
14 Donnay in neurochrome font<br />
15 Donnay (not followed by R)<br />
16 69cm length<br />
17 Square D or old elliptic D<br />
18 Speed Face Fibre Face<br />
Fourth generation logo (1977 to 1985)<br />
19 Donnay R on handle<br />
20 New elliptic D<br />
21 My Serve / Your serve<br />
<strong>22</strong> Made in Belgium by the<br />
<br />
23 <br />
Notes and references to racket models<br />
2 Superflex (1950), Club (1956), Gold (1956)<br />
3 Alpha Omega, Combat, Embassy (Donnay), Gold, Sunshine, Super Sterling, Superbell Tournament,<br />
Triumph<br />
4 Finalist (1955), Gold (1958), Imperial (1958), Rapid (1956), Sunshine (1952), Super Stroke (1954),<br />
Super Champion (1955), Superflex (1960), Stylist<br />
5 Kings Cup (1962), Court King (62-64), Super Ace-black model-(62-65)<br />
8 Super Ace, Challenge Professional, Kings Cup<br />
10 College (1962), Flight (62-65), Speed Flex Fibre Face (1960), Challenge (62-64), Trophy<br />
12 Imperial (1960), Club Tournament model, Speed Flex, Jacky Brichant, Club Tournament, Star<br />
14 Shot, Flash, Flight, Rod Laver Swinger, Niki Pilic Swinger<br />
16 Jacky Brichant Autograph, Rod Laver Pro, Country, Elite<br />
17 Old elliptic D : Karat, Swinger Rod Laver, SET, Speed King<br />
23 GLM 640, GLM 25, GLM 24, GLM 27<br />
269
Book of Tennis Rackets Belgian Rackets<br />
Update<br />
First generation logo with the signature of Emile Donnay -<br />
“ E. Donnay” - 1933-1950. This photo was taken from a racket<br />
made in 1939.<br />
First generation 1950-1956. “A.J. Donnay. A<br />
Donnay Production.” “Gold” model of 1956.<br />
First generation logo - “A Donnay Production” 1933-1963.<br />
The logo shown was used for the “Alpha Omega” model made<br />
in 1954.<br />
First generation logo 1950-1963, golden D in a ring with a<br />
“smashing player” supplemented with “Fabrication Controlled<br />
Frame Guaranteed” on a “Club” model of 1956.<br />
First generation logo 1950-1956. Photo taken from the<br />
model “Superflex” of 1950. A.J. stands for André and Jean,<br />
the two sons of Emile Donnay<br />
First generation logo 1950-1963 - Golden D in oval ring<br />
between crown and lawrels. Shown with a blue oval: “Court<br />
KIng” model made in 1962 and below with a red oval “King’s<br />
Cup” model made in 1960.<br />
270
Book of Tennis Rackets Belgian Rackets<br />
Update<br />
Second generation logo 1956-1968, “Donnay Special -<br />
Exclusively Radio-Frequency Resin Bonded” e.g. as used on the<br />
“Cliff Drysdale Autograph” model.<br />
Second generation logo 1956-1973, “Perfect Balance”. “Jacky<br />
Brichant Autograph” model of 1962. The eagle head logo refers<br />
to the logo he used for his tennis-wear collection<br />
Second generation logos 1956-1973, “Perfect Balance” and<br />
1956-1968 “For Championship Play” as used on the “Super<br />
Ace” model of 1960.<br />
Third generation logo 1973-1976 “Donnay” in “neurochrome<br />
font” with a design made of Greek lines on a “Set” model of 1973.<br />
Second generation logo 1956-1968. D logo on a triangle on the<br />
“Challenge” model of 1966.<br />
Third generation logo 1968-1976, “Radio Frequency Resin<br />
Bonded” logo on the “Speed King” model of 1972.<br />
271
Book of Tennis Rackets Belgian Rackets<br />
Update<br />
Third generation logos 1968-1985. Evolution of the “D” logo<br />
on the swinger model. From top to bottom: square D until 1970,<br />
old elliptic D from 1970 to 1974, two colour elliptic D from 1973<br />
to 1975, one colour elliptic D from 1974 onwards. These<br />
Donnay logos apply the “neurochreome” lettering.<br />
Fourth generation 1977-1985. Logo used for rackets made in<br />
Taiwan: “Made for the world’s largest manufacturer of tennis<br />
rackets”. Displayed on the left shoulder.<br />
Model “Team GT” of 1983 (black painted racket) and model<br />
“Georges Goven” of 1978 (white painted).<br />
Third generation logo with no ® 1973-1976 on the “Country”<br />
model of 1974 and fourth generation logo with an ® 1977-<br />
1985 on the “Ladyflex” model of 1977.<br />
Fourth generation 1977-1985. Logo for rackets made in<br />
Belgium. “Made in Belgium by the world’s largest manufacturer<br />
of tennis rackets” often supplemented by “handcrafted in<br />
Belgium. Displayed on the right shoulder. Top model “Soccer”<br />
of 1977/79 and lower model “Ladyflex” of 1977/79.<br />
Fourth generation logo 1977-1985. Donnay with an ®.<br />
“Thierry Tulasne” bi-hander model of 1984.<br />
272
Book of Tennis Rackets Belgian Rackets<br />
Update<br />
Donnay-Rackets in the collection of Michel Guilluy<br />
Model Description Year<br />
Ace<br />
4th gen. DONNAY R , laminated, reinforced with vulcanised fiber for 1977<br />
durability. My choice-Your choice. .<br />
A Donnay DONNAY Autograph between 2 lines on handle. 12 ½, M4. 1936<br />
Alpha Omega (W should read 1st gen. logo. L<br />
1954<br />
Omega)<br />
Gift from Stany Demecheler. Racket bought in the region of Antwerp.<br />
Allwood 3d gen. DONNAY logo. ed Grip N°4, Bjorn Borg Autograph. 1975-1976<br />
Allwood Bi-hander 3d gen. DONNAY logo, 69cm. Bjorn Borg Autograph is masked by the extended two hand grip. 1975-1976<br />
Allwood 4th gen. DONNAY R logo. DONNAY °4, Bjorn Borg Autograph. 1977<br />
Allwood Bjorn Borg 4th gen. DONNAY R logo. Grip N°4 1978<br />
Allwood Borg Superlight<br />
4th gen. DONNAY R logo. Bjorn Borg Autograph. weight frame that is precise, strong and 1980<br />
responsive. <br />
Allwood Borg Junior 4th gen. DONNAY R logo. 1978<br />
Allwood JR 4th gen. DONNAY R logo. d by DONNAY . Bjorn Borg Autograph. 1978<br />
Allwood Superlight<br />
4th gen. DONNAY R logo. , strong and responsive. Bjorn Borg 1980<br />
Autographift from Victor Adam. Bought at Wagner Sport Arlon. Grip N°4.<br />
Ambassador 3d gen. DONNAY log. . 1976<br />
Autographe 1947<br />
Bjorn Borg Fiber Bjorn Borg Autograph on handle edge. « » 1983<br />
Blue Bird 2d gen. DONNAY logo. 1964<br />
Borg Ace<br />
4th gen. DONNAY R logo. Elliptic D on handle. Borg signature on handle edge. Similar design as the 1977<br />
Competition Borg.<br />
Borg Club<br />
4th gen. DONNAY R logo. . Same serie or design as 1980<br />
Racing Club and Lady ClubPhotodecal Picture Racket.<br />
Borg N°1 4th gen. DONNAY R logo. Bjorn Borg Autograph 2. 1983<br />
Borg JR N°1 4th gen. DONNAY R logo. Bjorn Borg Autograph. 1980<br />
Borg wedge. Photodecal Picture Racket. 1980<br />
Borg Pro (two hand grip)<br />
4th gen. DONNAY R logo. Bi-hander model (Borg Pro in orange on the shoulder). Grip 1980<br />
N°5.<br />
Borg Pro (one hand grip)<br />
4th gen. DONNAY R logo. Designed by Tomassetti Made in Belgium red 1980<br />
and orange logo. Shown just below the shoulder. This racket has been launched in July<br />
1980 on the US market.<br />
Borg Pro Junior 4th gen. DONNAY R logo. 65 cm. 1981<br />
Borg Pro Midsize 4th gen. DONNAY R logo. 1984<br />
Borg Sport 2000 1977<br />
Borg Team 4th gen. DONNAY R logoame series as Team GT and Team N°1. 1980<br />
Borg Team GT<br />
his logo suggests that this racket was made in Taiwan. Oversized racket. Just the 1983<br />
same design as Borg Team.<br />
Bjorn Borg Picture Decal 1981<br />
Carbonglass 1978<br />
Carbonwood 4th gen. DONNAY R logo. Fantail, carbon fibres overlay. 1977<br />
Challenge Professional<br />
2d gen. DONNAY logo. DONNAY special Resin Bonded. For Championship Play. Speed Flex Fibre. 1966<br />
<br />
Challenge (Gold lettering) 2d gen. DONNAY logo. DONNAY special Resin bonded. Med 4 5/8. Sport Muller, Ulm/Donaustr. 2. 1962-1964<br />
Challenge (Red lettering)<br />
2d gen. DONNAY logo. «Challenge» displayed vertically along the handle. 1966<br />
Displayed below is Stramitzer, Wien, Bosendorferstr.<br />
Champion 2d gen. DONNAY logo. Gift made to Michel Tits, Brussels, for his Christian celebration in 1970. 1967-1968<br />
Champion 2d gen. DONNAY logo. Square D on handle face. 1966<br />
Champion 4th gen. DONNAY R logo. 1978<br />
Champion<br />
4th gen. DONNAY R logo. Bjorn Borg Autograph with «Conseille Technique de Donnay» on handle 1978<br />
edge. Distributed in Canada.<br />
Classic 2d gen. DONNAY logo. 1962-1964<br />
Classic Pro 3d gen. DONNAY logo. » 1976<br />
Classic Pro 4th gen. DONNAY R logo. 1981<br />
Cliff Drysdale Autograph<br />
2d gen. DONNAY logo. , selected ash, selected by top players. 1965<br />
Exclusive radio frequency DONNAY special resin bonde rels under the autograph. Just the<br />
same design as Super Ace. Variation on butt cap: Old elliptic D (plastic) - Square D (linen).<br />
Club<br />
1st gen. logo. (A.J. DONNAY, golden D in a ring with smashing player) . Fabrication 1956<br />
controlled guaranteed frame. Gift from Christophe Wintgens.<br />
Club 2d gen. DONNAY logo. Medium 7, 4 7/8. Rectangular handle. Gift from José Benjamin Longré. 1964<br />
Club (Gold lettering) 2d gen. DONNAY logo. Numbered 0018, 68,5 cm. Gift from Christine Schoder. 1962<br />
Club Tournament Model<br />
2d gen. DONNAY logo. . Exclusive radio frequency DONNAY 1968<br />
.<br />
Club 2002 4th gen. DONNAY R logo. slit in the handle. 1977<br />
Coca Cola Trademark R<br />
3th gen. DONNAY logo. ttering on white frame and shoulder with red 1976<br />
bow.<br />
College<br />
2d gen. DONNAY logo. D on a triangle logo. On handle (same as the Challenge model), number 1966<br />
33591. Shield with 3 red lions similar to the Imperial and Finalist models.<br />
Combat 1st gen. logo. DONNAY Production . Gift from Daniel Grego. 1937<br />
Comet Sr 3d gen. DONNAY logo. . 832 DONNAY. Canada. 1975<br />
Competition Donnay Borg<br />
3d gen. DONNAY logo. «DONNAY Borg» on one shoulder, rectangular 1975<br />
handle.<br />
Competition 4th gen. DONNAY R logo. «Competition» on shoulder. 1978<br />
Concorde 4th gen. DONNAY R logo. 1979<br />
Continental One 4th gen. DONNAY R logo. . 1978<br />
273
Book of Tennis Rackets Belgian Rackets<br />
Update<br />
Continued: Donnay-Rackets in the collection of Michel Guilluy<br />
Continental Two 4th gen. DONNAY R Handcrafted by DONNAY . 1978<br />
Country 3d gen. DONNAY logo. Red and blue elliptic D. 1976<br />
Court JR<br />
4th gen. DONNAY R logo. Just the same design as . DONNAY on one shoulder + elliptic D 1977<br />
on handle.<br />
Court King 1950<br />
Court King<br />
2d gen. DONNAY logo. (D in a blue oval with golden crown and laurels). Golden crown between 1962-1964<br />
on top of the bow (seems to differ from the shaft supplied to Wilson by<br />
DONNAY). Gift from Jean-Marc Lefebvre.<br />
Court King<br />
2d gen. DONNAY logo. Court King displayed vertically on handle 2 variations: one 1965<br />
with square D on handle - one without.<br />
Court Nr 1 4th gen. DONNAY R logo. 1978<br />
Court Senior 4th gen. DONNAY R logo. Same decoration as the Court Three, rectangular handle. 1977<br />
Court Two<br />
4th DONNAY R logo. Light Med 5. Just the same design as Court Junior, rounded handle edges, 1979<br />
Made in Belgium<br />
Court One<br />
4th gen. DONNAY R logo. Same decoration as the Court Three but green, blue and purple stripes, 1979<br />
rounded handle edges.<br />
Court Two<br />
4th gen. DONNAY R logo. Rounded handle edges, same decoration as the but 1979<br />
yellow/green stripes). <br />
Court Three<br />
4th gen. DONNAY R logo. Same decoration as the Court Senior (diagonal orange, purple and red 1979<br />
stripes on one shoulder and heart).<br />
Crown<br />
2d gen. DONNAY led Frame Guaranteed Golden D in a ring held by a 1960<br />
player. Gift from William Legendre.<br />
Diamant 3d gen. DONNAY logo. With no R (69 cm). My serve/your serve. Stripes crossing the handle. 1974-1976<br />
Diplomat 3d gen. DONNAY logo. 1970<br />
Donnay 1st gen. logo. Wagner Sports Arlon. 13/ ¾, number 44773. c. 1935<br />
Donnay Ace<br />
3d gen. DONNAY. Your choice my choice. Bjorn Borg Autograph on 1976<br />
.<br />
Donnay for Championship Play 2d gen. DONNAY logo. Decal shield on the wedge. 1960<br />
Donnay Club 2d gen. DONNAY logo. Tournament model. 1962<br />
Donnay 15 3d gen. DONNAY logo. Vulcan fibres on shoulders. Promotional line. 1976<br />
Donnay 30 Promotional line. Vulcan fibres on shoulder and heart. 1976<br />
Donnay 40 Promotional line. 1976<br />
Donnay 45 Promotional line. 1976<br />
Donnay 150 4th gen. DONNAY R logo. Medium 6, rectangular handle edges, red elliptic D on butt cap. 1977<br />
Donnay/300 4th gen. DONNAY R logo. Rectangular handle. 1977<br />
Donnay/400 4th gen. DONNAY R logo. Rectangular handle edges. 1977<br />
Donnay/600 4th gen. DONNAY R logo. Medium 6. 1977<br />
Donnay R 90<br />
USA coverings with blue and red stripes<br />
Donnay Super Ace<br />
4th gen. DONNAY R logo. <br />
Donnay Super 2000 3d gen. DONNAY logo. 1976<br />
Donnay 3 Set 4th gen. DONNAY R logo. llglass. 1984<br />
Donnay Junior 3d gen. DONNAY logo. 1974<br />
Donnay Partners International 4th gen. DONNAY R. DONNAY contract players listed on throat starting with Borg. 1978<br />
Tennis Team<br />
Driver<br />
3d gen. DONNAY logo. With no R (69 cm) DONNAY . Variations: square D 1969-1972<br />
and black painted bow - .<br />
Elite<br />
3d gen. DONNAY logo. Bjorn Borg signature on handle eDONNAY 1976<br />
DONNAY.<br />
Embassy (Gold lettering) 1st gen. logo. Grooved bow. 1954-1958<br />
Explorer 3d gen. DONNAY logo. 1976<br />
Explorer 4th gen. DONNAY R logo. xplorerlayed on the shoulder decorated with green and blue stripes. 1979<br />
Fiber Pro 4th gen. DONNAY R logo. Just the same design as Borg Pro but in green. 1981<br />
Fiberwood<br />
3d gen. DONNAY logo with different colour stripes (purple, 1976<br />
Bordeaux, orange).<br />
Finale 4th gen. DONNAY R logo. 1977<br />
Finalist 1st gen. logo. Resin bonded. Just the same design as the Super Champion model (elliptic handle). 1955<br />
Finalist<br />
2d gen. DONNAY logo. Shield with 3 red lions (similar to the College and Imperial 1960<br />
Junior model , 66 cm.<br />
Flash<br />
3d gen. neurochrome logo. Square D on handle and plastic butt cap. Just the same design as the 1974<br />
.<br />
Flex Pro<br />
4th gen. DONNAY R logo. Glass/wood composite Tomassetti design from 1981<br />
dark blue to light blue, slit in handle.<br />
Flight 4th gen. DONNAY R logo. Bevelled handle. 1977-1979<br />
Flight<br />
2d gen. DONNAY logo. lightlogo. Circled by a superjet D logo on a triangle as the College 1962-1965<br />
model.<br />
Flight 3d gen. DONNAY neurochrome logo. 1974<br />
For Championship Play<br />
2d DONNAY gen. logo. Blue leather butt cap. D in a blue box on handle face. Similar to the Match 1964<br />
Erbacher model with a smaller coat of arms.<br />
Françoise Durr 3d gen. DONNAY logo. With no R (69 cm). Endorsed by Françoise Durr. 1972<br />
Françoise Durr 3d gen. DONNAY logo, 69 cm. 1974<br />
Georges Goven<br />
4th gen. DONNAY R logo. Just the same design as the GLM Your choice-My choice/ made 1978<br />
in Tai.<br />
GLM 1 Pro (Graduated Length 4th gen. DONNAY R logo. Junior Model, Borg Pro design. 1983<br />
Method)<br />
GLM 2 1983<br />
GLM 3 1983<br />
GLM 4 PRO 4th gen. DONNAY R logo. 1982<br />
GLM 4 Made in Belgium by t. 1983<br />
GLM 24 Just the same design as GLM 25, 27, 640 1979<br />
GLM 25 4th gen. DONNAY R logo. Made for... (Taiwan) My choice / Your choice, Graduated Length Method. 1979<br />
274
Book of Tennis Rackets Belgian Rackets<br />
Continued: Donnay-Rackets in the collection of Michel Guilluy<br />
Update<br />
GLM 27 Made for... Same design and colours as GLM 24. 1979<br />
GLM 54 4th gen. DONNAY R logo. Junior racket 54 cm. 1978<br />
GLM 68 1980<br />
GLM 640 Your choice-My choice. Made in Taiwan. 1979<br />
GLM GT 4th gen. DONNAY R logo. Junior racket with oversized head. Made in Taiwan. 1984<br />
Gold 1st gen. logo. A.J. DONNAY (in gold) signature. DONNAY Production. 1956<br />
Gold<br />
1st gen. logo. A.J. DONNAY in gold signature. Smashing player logo. (Fabrication controlled frame 1960<br />
guaranteed). Klein Sport, 36 rue du Biou, Tel. 13005, Verviers.<br />
Gold Tournament<br />
2d gen. DONNAY logo. mpionship Play, Perfect Balance. DeWallens Sports, Bruxelles Le 1966<br />
<br />
Grand Prix<br />
4th gen. DONNAY R logo. Bjorn Borg Autograph. Light/Med4/ Number 124.07. Just the same design as 1978<br />
l Tennis Team with contract players.<br />
Graphite Pro 1<br />
4th gen. DONNAY R logo. Bi-hander model (68,5 cm). Graphite/wood 1983-1984<br />
composite.<br />
Graphite Pro 4th gen. DONNAY R logo. Smaller grip (68 cm). Graphite/wood composite. 1983-1984<br />
Graphite/Wood<br />
4th gen. DONNAY R logo. Graphite fibers combined with fiberglass, vulcanised 1983<br />
fiber and wood for speed and strength. My choice/Your choice.<br />
G.T. 18<br />
Fibre wood composite racket recommended for control by Bjorn Borg (signature). Midsize made in 1983<br />
Belgium 362 05, Grooved head to protect strings.<br />
Heinz Heinlinson<br />
Photodecal picture racket.<br />
Hit Nr 1 4th gen. DONNAY R logo. Light 2/ Made in Belgium... 1980<br />
Hit GT Nr 1 Light 3/ Made in Belgium... 25% larger hitting area. 1980<br />
Hugo de Senarclens 1961<br />
Impact 3d gen. DONNAY logo, (69 cm) 1970-1974<br />
IMPERIAL<br />
2d gen. DONNAY logo. Red D logo on white background with black player playing a backhand, Shield 1960<br />
with 3 red lions similar to the College and Finalist models.<br />
International Tennis Team Bjorn 4th gen. DONNAY R logo. Light/Med 4/ Made in Belgium by the... 1983<br />
Borg autograph<br />
International Tennis Team <br />
Contract players :<br />
4th gen. DONNAY R logo<br />
Bjorn Borg, V Amritraj, U Pinner, D Joubert, W Zirngibl, K Johansson, W Prinsloo, E Montano O<br />
Bengston, F Maynetto, P Dominguez, J Feaver, G Goven, J Bailey, R Reininger, H Fritz, N Pilic, T<br />
Stevaux, C Lando, M Rivaroli, J Yuill, F Hemmes, H Gildemeister, K Eberhard, S Cruz, F Grau, S Urroz,<br />
A Wijono, M Mortensen, M Timonen.<br />
Bjorn Autograph. /med 3. Made in Belgium by theJust the same design as <br />
Team Mariana.<br />
International Tennis Team<br />
1979<br />
Bjorn<br />
International Tennis Team Elle Light 2 and Light/med 3. Slit in handle. 1983<br />
International Tennis Team<br />
3d gen. DONNAY R logo. Marianna Autograph. Slit in the handle. 1980<br />
Mariana<br />
International Tennis Team<br />
1980<br />
Partners<br />
4th gen. DONNAY R logo. . Bjorn Borg, Mariana<br />
Borg, V Amritraj, U Pinner, K Eberhard, C Casa, M Martinez, P Bertolucci, J Kodes, J Yuill, E Montano,<br />
T Tulasne, E Wilborts, J Feaver, H Fritz, R Vizcaino, M Mortensen, M Timonen, R Cano, T Garcia, R<br />
Reininger, C Gattiker, H Guildemeister, N Kelaidis, E Uchiyama.<br />
Intersport 4th gen. DONNAY R logo. Club Intersport. 1978<br />
ITT / 18 4th gen. DONNAY R logo. Midsize made in Belgium. 1984/1985<br />
Jacky Brichant 2d gen. DONNAY logo. DONNAY special resin bonded . Higher class model. 1962<br />
Jacky Brichant 2d gen. DONNAY logo. Average class model. 1962<br />
Jacky Brichant 2d gen. DONNAY logo. Lower class model. 1962<br />
Jan-Erik Lundqvist<br />
Photodecal Picture racket<br />
Jet 2d gen. DONNAY logo. DONNAY Special Resin Bonded. 1968<br />
JR 15 , Junior model. 1976<br />
Junior 30 1976<br />
Karat<br />
2d gen. DONNAY logo. Variations: One with old elliptic D on handle and square D on plastic butt cap, 1972-1974<br />
one with square D on handle and linen butt cap. .<br />
Karat<br />
3d gen. DONNAY logo. With no R (69 cm). Walnut on shoulder- arat in small capital letters with 1976<br />
crown. .<br />
Kent<br />
Metal frame of chrome plated steel.<br />
4th gen. DONNAY R logo. . 1982<br />
2d gen. logo, golden cup and 3 stars on black frame. 1964<br />
CUP<br />
1st gen. logo. (D in oval ring between. Laurels and crown). Shoulder with walnut decoration. For 1960<br />
championship play / Speed Flex Fiber Face, 13/1/2 - 4/3/4.<br />
Lady International Tennis Team 4th gen. DONNAY R logo. 1977-1978<br />
Lady Flex<br />
4th gen. DONNAY R. DONNAY 1978<br />
. Slit in handle.<br />
Lady GT 3-set 4th gen. DONNAY R logo. Composite wood. 1982<br />
Lady N° 1 Made in Belgium by...Sup./Light 1, Slit in the handle. 1978<br />
Lady Star 4th gen. DONNAY R logo. Allwood design. 1979<br />
Lady Star Superlight Design similar to Racing Club and Borg Club 1977<br />
Ladywood<br />
4d gen. DONNAY R logo. 1979<br />
.<br />
<br />
Super Service, specifically made by DONNAY for Zentrasport International. Slit in the handle. Similar to 1972<br />
the model.<br />
Le Sabre 2d gen. DONNAY logo. Speed Flex Fibre face. Championship Play. 1966<br />
Marty Mulligan 2d gen. DONNAY logo. Photodecal picture racket. 1962<br />
Match<br />
1st gen. Logo. For Championship Play, **Super Service**. Similar to the rackets produced by Heinrich 1958<br />
Hammer (under the Erbacher brand).<br />
Match Junior 1976<br />
Match Mini 1976<br />
Match 4th gen. DONNAY R logo. 1978<br />
Match Point Match point logo in a red/white circle. DONNAY on handle face. 1970<br />
Mercure Frame filled with mercury, during the serve, the mercury rises to the tip of the head adding power. 1976<br />
Mercury 1962-1964<br />
275<br />
1977<br />
1978
Book of Tennis Rackets Belgian Rackets<br />
Continued: Donnay-Rackets in the collection of Michel Guilluy<br />
Update<br />
Mid 15 . Open throat composite racket with a flat wedge. 1983<br />
Mid 25 Midsize wood graphite composite. Open throat racket with a flat wedge. Light 2. 1983<br />
Mid 45 S Composite wood graphite. 1983<br />
Midwood 18 Graphite wood composite. . Open throat midsize. 1983<br />
Midwood 25 Open throat midsize racket. 1983<br />
Monte Carlo 4th gen. DONNAY logo. Bjorn Borg Autograph. Medium. 1975-1976<br />
Donnay / Monte Carlo Bjorn Borg Autograph. Grip 3, light med. 1975<br />
Net Star 1973<br />
99 4th gen. DONNAY R logo. Distributed in France. 1979<br />
Performer 4th gen. DONNAY R on rounded handle face. DONNAY Slit in the handle. 1978<br />
Polycarbon 1978<br />
Pro 1 1981<br />
Pro Autograph<br />
3th gen. DONNAY logo. Red and blue Elliptic D. . Handcrafted by 1972<br />
DONNAY Belgium. Just the same design as . Slit in handle.<br />
Pro PRO in white on shoulder. Just the same design as the Borg Pro. 1984<br />
Queen 2d gen. DONNAY logo. Hand made frame/ Especially made for Bon Marché. 1960<br />
Racing<br />
2d gen. DONNAY logo. . .<br />
Racing 1976<br />
Racing Club 4th gen. DONNAY R logo. Just the same design as the Borg Club. 1977<br />
Rapid<br />
2d gen. DONNAY Frame . Number 15298. Golden D logo in 1956<br />
a circle held by a player.<br />
Rapid Junior 1962-1965<br />
Ready 3d gen. neurochrome DONNAY logo. 1973<br />
Reine des Courts 1947<br />
Regular 33 4th gen. DONNAY R logo. Light med 4. 1977<br />
Rod Laver Pro 3d gen. neurochrome DONNAY logo. With no R (69 cm). Slit in the handle. 1975-1976<br />
Rod Laver Pro 3d gen. neurochrome DONNAY logo. With no R (69 cm). Slit in the handle. 1975-1976<br />
Rod Laver Number One<br />
3d gen. DONNAY logo. With no R displayed from wedge to grip. Square D on handle, 69 cm. 1968-1972<br />
<br />
Glasswood on wedge. Fiberglass wood laminated frame. Exclusive model. Med 7 4 7/8.<br />
Rod Laver Number One<br />
Glasswood on wedge / Exclusive model, 69 cm. Variations: Old elliptic D on handle - new red and 1970-1974<br />
blue elliptic D on handle. . Pat. Nr. <br />
racket .<br />
Rod Laver Younger Wooden bow. 64,5 cm. 1970-1974<br />
Rod Laver Swinger (older branding) 3d gen. neurochrome DONNAY logo. Square D logo on handle and butt cap, 69 cm. 1970<br />
Rod Laver Swinger 3d gen. neurochrome DONNAY logo. 1976<br />
Satellite<br />
Black anodised aluminium with heart of Nylon.<br />
School 2d gen. logo. Just the same design as the . 1970<br />
Scorer 4th gen. DONNAY R logo. 1978<br />
Selection 2d gen. DONNAY logo. Stylised player playing a backhand on a red D. . 1960<br />
Server Model<br />
2d gen. DONNAY logo, 68,5 cm. DONNAY special rtip of the head. Server displayed 1968<br />
horizontally, Model vertically.<br />
Set 4th gen. DONNAY R logo. 1978<br />
Set<br />
3d gen. neurochrome DONNAY logo, similar design to the Swinger. Green line crossing a brown line 1972-1973<br />
(i.e. . Variations on handle: Two with old elliptic D, one with square D.<br />
Shot 3d gen. neurochrome DONNAY logo, 69 cm. 1973<br />
Single Speed flex Fiber face. 1966<br />
Single 2d gen. DONNAY logo. 1968<br />
Single Junior Speed flex Fiber face. 1968<br />
Single Model 2d gen. DONNAY logo. Square D on handle and butt cap. 1968<br />
600 Especially made for Intersport by DONNAY. 1976<br />
Smasher Cup<br />
Made in Belgium by... (0,7 mm elliptic D). Rectangular handle (where the 3 following models are 1977<br />
rounded).<br />
Smasher Lady the handle. 1978<br />
Smasher Pro Made in Belgium... 1978<br />
Smasher Super Made in Belgium... 1978<br />
Special<br />
2d gen. DONNAY logo. Sporthaus Gies, Bielefeld. Speed Flex Fibre Face. DONNAY special resin 1964<br />
bonded.<br />
Speed Flex<br />
1st gen. logo. 1958<br />
.<br />
Speed Flex Fibre Face 2d gen. DONNAY logo. 4 quarters red and black shield as for the Challenge model. 1960<br />
Speeder 2d gen. DONNAY logo. Speed Flex Fibre Face. Rectangular handle. 1972<br />
Speed King<br />
3d gen. DONNAY logo on the handle. . Rectangular handle with 1972<br />
.<br />
SP 4th gen. DONNAY R logo on handle. Bjorn Borg the heart. Photodecal. 1982<br />
Star pro Model<br />
2d gen. DONNAY logo. Between 5 golden stars on black shoulders and wedge. . 1962-1965<br />
Selected by top players. Perfect balance. DONNAY .<br />
Stylist 2d gen. DONNAY logo. D logo in a ring held by a player. 1958-1960<br />
Sunshine<br />
1st generation logo. 3 colou 1952<br />
½ OZS. Golden D in a ring held by a smashing player with skin colour.<br />
Super Ace (red )<br />
S above laurels. Just the same design as the . 3 variations: Black square D on plastic 1960-1965<br />
butt cap. Red square D on plastic butt cap. Square D on linen butt cap.<br />
Super Ace (black)<br />
1st gen. logo. (D in oval ring between laurels and ring)All selected ash / Selected by top players. 1956-1960<br />
Maurice Sports Tennis du Zoute Tennis Club de Belgique Courts couverts rue du Beau. Site<br />
26&28 Bruxelles.<br />
Superbell Tournament<br />
1st gen. logo A. DONNAY signature. 2 slits in the handle face. A DONNAY Production. 1948-1949<br />
.<br />
Super Champion<br />
1st gen. logo, D logo in a circle held by a smashing player. Fabriqué par DONNAY en Belgique 1955<br />
Selectionabrication controlled frame . Lead inserted in butt cap of one the two rackets.<br />
Superflex A.J. Donnay 1st gen. logo, Pro band (on head) laminated construction, handmade. 1950-1956<br />
Superflex<br />
1st gen. DONNAY logo on leather butt cap and handle edge (half covered by grip). Golden D in a ring<br />
with smashing player. Resin bonded/ Speed Flex Fiber face. Professional balance.<br />
1956-<br />
1960<br />
276
Book of Tennis Rackets Belgian Rackets<br />
Update<br />
Continued: Donnay-Rackets in the collection of Michel Guilluy<br />
Super Flex Racket used by Jacky Brichant. 1956<br />
Super Flex Tournament 2d gen. DONNAY logo. Lead weight inserted in butt end. Speed Flex, Fiber insert. For 1960<br />
Championship Play /Resin bonded/ Selected by top players / All selected ash...<br />
Super Service 2d gen. DONNAY logo. Tournament model, Hand made frame, Rounded handle. 1962<br />
Super Service 2d gen. DONNAY logo. Tournament model. DONNAY Special Resin Bonded. Handmade frame. 1966<br />
Super Service 3d gen. DONNAY logo. Zentrasport ZS logo on handle with elliptic D. 1976<br />
SUPER Sterling 1st gen. logo. A DONNAY PRODUCTION. Tournament model, handPatented on top of 1954<br />
the bow, .<br />
Super Stroke<br />
1st gen. logo, Number 813755. D logo in a circle held with a smashing player. Resin bonded/ For 1958<br />
championship play. Melens Sports.<br />
Supervolley Elliptic D in 2 colours on handle. Unusual DONNAY logo on shoulder with red and blue lettering. 1970<br />
Super 2000 4th gen. DONNAY R logo. Design similar to Allwood (dark blue to green), 69 cm. 1977<br />
Supral G.T. Oversized racket. 1980<br />
Swinger Niki Pilic Just the same design as the Rod Laver Swinger. 1975<br />
Team G.T<br />
. Taiwan discretely shown on the wedge. Oversized 1983<br />
racket.<br />
Team Lady 1983<br />
Team N°1<br />
4th gen. DONNAY R logo. Light 2/ Made in Belgium... Just the same design as the Borg Team and 1981<br />
Team GT.<br />
Technic 1946<br />
Technic Tournament Handmade frame. 1949<br />
Thierry Tulasne Sunny design. -hander grip. 1984<br />
300 Junior racket. 1978<br />
3- Set A Glassfibre, twinshaft. 1976<br />
3- Set B Glassfibre epoxy frame, hollow core construction. 1976<br />
3- Set R<br />
4th DONNAY R logo. Graphite G.T.Tomassetti inspired design. Made in Belgium by... Set in 1983<br />
Graphite GT<br />
neurochrome font.<br />
3- Set 4th DONNAY R logo. Glass +, Set in neurochrome font. 1984<br />
Three Stars 2d gen. DONNAY logo. Speed Flex Fibre Face. 1968<br />
Tiffany 3d gen. DONNAY logo Endorsed by Françoise Durr. Your serve/My serve. 1976<br />
Top Executive 4th gen. DONNAY R logo. Similar to a Wilson model for ladies. 1978<br />
Top Glass GT Open throat, black frame, with blue bubbles on shoulder. Fibreglass and graphite composite. 1983<br />
Topspin Fiberglass 3d gen. DONNAY logo. Wood, glassfiber, 69 cm. Slit in the handle. 1975-1976<br />
Tournament Superbell 1st gen. . 2 slits on the face of the handle. A DONNAY Autograph between 2 1948-1949<br />
lines.<br />
Triumph<br />
2d gen. DONNAY logo. Tennis ball with golden wings on 1962-1965<br />
displayed.<br />
Triumph<br />
1st gen. DONNAY Production. Same model as the previous model but which a golden D in a 1958<br />
ring with a player. Triumph vertically displayed in a red banner with wings.<br />
Triumph 3d gen. As the Swinger model but letter filled in gold. Old elliptic D 1972<br />
Trophy 1st gen. DONNAY logo. DONNAY on handle face, D on a red triangle. Cordée par Robert Flysens 23 1958<br />
31 57, Au Sportsman, Liège, 57 rue de la Cathédrale.<br />
Trophy 3d gen. DONNAY logo. With no R. Light 3, 4-moiseau Les Golettes, 5200 Huy 1974-1976<br />
TS 2 4th gen. DONNAY R logo. 1977<br />
Universal 1st gen. DONNAY logo. 4 interlinked rings on the wedge. 1960<br />
Victory<br />
2d gen. DONNAY logo. . Exclusive Radio Frequency Resin 1964<br />
.<br />
Victory 3d gen. DONNAY logo. With no R (69 cm). 1974-1976<br />
Wimbledon Spécial 1st gen. logo. DONNAY in small capital letters. Head is grooved for protecting the strings. 1960<br />
.<br />
Wimbledon Wooden frame, shaft with an overlay of glassfibres. 1976<br />
Wimbledon Mid 1979<br />
Wimbledon Stylist 1962<br />
Wood Plus 18 Midsize monoshaft frame (+18%) reinforced with full vulcanised fiber faces, larger sweet spot. 1983<br />
Zentrasport 2d gen. logo. . 1966<br />
277
Book of Tennis Rackets Belgian Rackets<br />
Extract from<br />
“The 100 year History of Donnay”<br />
by Michel Guilluy<br />
The origins: 1910 to 1945<br />
In 1910, Emile Donnay and six<br />
woodworkers took a lease on an old<br />
watermill called “Moulin du Liénaux”<br />
in the Belgian city of Couvin and<br />
founded a cooperative company with<br />
the name “Les Usines du Liénaux”. In<br />
1923, it changed to a société anonyme<br />
(SA). In 1927, the production was<br />
moved nearby to cope with the<br />
expanding activities. To the initial<br />
production of broomsticks soon were<br />
added coopers‘ware and tennis<br />
rackets a little later, in 1933. In the<br />
years that followed 60% of the<br />
production was exported, mainly to<br />
France and England. WWII disrupted<br />
this development. After the war many<br />
European countries, however,<br />
imposed restrictions on imports, a<br />
difficult situation for Donnay relying<br />
on exports, but it found a way out by<br />
discovering a new huge market for its<br />
tennis rackets in the USA.<br />
The first tennis boom 1945 to 1969<br />
Donnay and the Wilson Sporting<br />
Goods Company (please refer to the<br />
Book page 419), already then one of<br />
the biggest sporting goods companies<br />
in the world, signed a „landmark“<br />
contract in 1947. Donnay was to<br />
manufacture and deliver tennis and<br />
badminton rackets to Wilson with the<br />
Wilson brand name on them.<br />
Consequently 67% of Donnay‘s<br />
yearly production of 180.000 rackets<br />
was sold to Wilson in 1959 and 60%<br />
out of a total of 300.000 in 1963.<br />
In the meantime Donnay had invested<br />
heavily in streamlining its production.<br />
Along this line it introduced a new<br />
bonding method: application of high<br />
frequency electric current to cure the<br />
glue faster and more control between<br />
the ply-laminations in the racketmanufacturing<br />
process. This method<br />
is referred to by two logos shown on<br />
the top-rim of such rackets: Donnay<br />
Special - Exclusively Radio-<br />
Frequency Resin Bonded crossed by<br />
a red lightning sign to imply that high<br />
voltage electricity was used. The logo<br />
applied later changed to: Radio<br />
Frequency Resin Bonded, and the<br />
lightning sign disappeared.<br />
Until then Donnay was competitive<br />
with its rackets. But everything would<br />
change when Wilson opted for the<br />
Japanese badminton rackets in the<br />
early 1960‘s. It got better conditions<br />
in Japan. Donnay‘s management acted<br />
promptly. It paid even more attention<br />
to research and development in order<br />
to continuously monitor automation<br />
in the complicated manufacturing<br />
process of wooden tennis rackets and<br />
succeeded.<br />
Germany and France came now into<br />
focus as the main markets for Donnayrackets.<br />
Donnay had set up a sales<br />
branch in France already in 1952 and<br />
a subsidiary as an incorporated joint<br />
venture with Kurt Klemmer in Hassloch<br />
in 1957 (page 94 in the Book) in<br />
Germany. Donnay, however, soon<br />
gave up this partnership in Germany<br />
and moved its operations to Cologne<br />
in 1963.<br />
Tennis between 1968 and 1975<br />
The International Tennis Federation<br />
abolished the amateur status in 1968<br />
which meant that any tennis player<br />
could accept or earn money in that<br />
sport. Tennis marketing strategy<br />
changed accordingly. Donnay had its<br />
best rackets endorsed by top players,<br />
such as Cliff Drysdale, Rod Laver in<br />
1969 (for Continental Europe only),<br />
Niki Pilic and Françoise Durr.<br />
The golden Borg era for Donnay 1975<br />
to 1983<br />
Borg‘s name has been a marketing<br />
phenomenon for many years even after<br />
he announced his retirement in 1983.<br />
Endorsement of Donnay’s rackets as<br />
well as many other Donnay-products<br />
did account for some $ 30 millions in<br />
revenues over his entire career, which<br />
was a stunning amount by that time’s<br />
standards. Borg’s image was closely<br />
associated with Donnay rackets,<br />
especially the Allwood model (1976-<br />
1980) and the Borg Pro model (1980-<br />
1983). But more than 30 other models<br />
also bore his name. It was a good<br />
business for Borg. He obtained<br />
royalties of 5% on all sales of<br />
autographed or endorsed products.<br />
Thanks to Borg, Donnay became the<br />
„the world’s largest manufacturer of<br />
tennis rackets“ as proudly displayed<br />
Update<br />
on the shoulder of its frames. In 1980,<br />
the annual racket production reached<br />
1.750.000. This was the production<br />
record of any company in this field<br />
not to be matched any more. The international<br />
reputation of Donnay had<br />
grown substantially. The top quality<br />
of its rackets was widely recognized<br />
and explains why players like Kodes<br />
and Orantes were using Donnay’s<br />
rackets even without any contract at<br />
the end of their careers.<br />
Donnay had its name protected as a<br />
registered trademark already in 1977.<br />
Donnay followed by an ® displayed<br />
on the racket indicates that the racket<br />
was made not before 1977, valuable<br />
information for racket collectors.<br />
Bankruptcy in 1988<br />
The wooden laminated racket era came<br />
abruptly to an end. Player turned to<br />
graphite rackets and composites,<br />
which usually were made of a<br />
combination of graphite- and<br />
glassfibres embedded in an epoxy<br />
resin, beginning in the early 1980s.<br />
The manufacturing process of such<br />
rackets is completely different from<br />
the one used for wooden rackets as<br />
well as the whole new technology.<br />
Donnay could not manage this<br />
complicated transition process<br />
successfully. Besides, the competition<br />
for such rackets became very stiff,<br />
since the Far East made cheaper<br />
rackets (low labour costs) swamped<br />
the markets. Donnay had still 350<br />
employees. In August 1988,<br />
management was forced to file for<br />
bankruptcy after desperate<br />
negotiations for a strong partner or<br />
more money from banks had failed.<br />
Donnay‘s new rise with Bernard Tapie<br />
In 1988, Bernard Tapie, a successful<br />
French entrepreneur and venture<br />
money investor, brought Donnay back<br />
to life. He succeeded to win Andre<br />
Agassi, then a promising charismatic<br />
young tennis player, for Donnay.<br />
Donnay had to pay him and his agent<br />
Bill Shelton 6 Million dollars over a<br />
period of five years under the<br />
condition that Agassi was ranked in<br />
the top 15 players. Agassi played the<br />
Donnay Pro One from 1989 till 1992.<br />
Tapie, however, had to sell Donnay in<br />
1991 in order to finance some other of<br />
278
Book of Tennis Rackets Belgian Rackets<br />
his investments that were at stake.<br />
Manufacturing activities and<br />
infrastructure, including the Agassi<br />
contract, were allocated to Donnay<br />
International S.A. and transferred to<br />
Carbon Valley, owned by the family<br />
group Pastorelli.<br />
In January 1993, this new enterprise<br />
went into receivership. This led to the<br />
termination of all manufacturing<br />
activities and employment contracts<br />
in Belgium.<br />
Note of the author:<br />
The scope of the Book ends (with a<br />
few exceptions) about 1990. Anyone<br />
interested in the further development<br />
of the Donnay history, is advised to<br />
contact:<br />
Michel Guilluy<br />
24 Lingenthal Street<br />
B 6700 Arlon, Belgium<br />
E-Mail address: fa333161@skynet.be<br />
Update<br />
Jacky Brichant (left) holding his famous<br />
Donnay “Black Super Ace” and Michel<br />
Guilluy holding the Donnay “Jacky Brichant<br />
Autograph”.<br />
Donnay Tournament<br />
ca. 1955<br />
Rodney Lack presented to the<br />
Facebook Antique and Vintage Tennis<br />
Forum an unusual Donnay tennis<br />
racket named “Tournament” with a<br />
contoured shaft in Sept. 2020.<br />
Probably made mid 1950. The design<br />
was probably influenced by a much<br />
earlier patent from 1924. US<br />
1539019, Inventor John P. Nikonow.<br />
Description page 530 in the Book of<br />
Tennis Rackets.<br />
The claims were then way ahead of<br />
its time and therfore this patent was<br />
often referred to in patent suits.<br />
Nikonow Racket rebuilt for<br />
demonstrational purposes<br />
Additional information to page 351:<br />
Snauwaert<br />
Please add to the table.<br />
Forward c. 1950<br />
279
Book of Tennis Rackets Canadian Rackets<br />
New information:<br />
Diadal<br />
Toronto/Ontario<br />
Canada<br />
The following memorandum (extract)<br />
was provided by Glenn A. Björkman.<br />
Company:<br />
Memorandum, July 16, 1974:<br />
John Hetherington, Diadal, phoned<br />
Victor to ask if he could buy gut and<br />
nylon for factory stringing.<br />
They make wooden rackets; their top<br />
number is the open-throat model called<br />
the President. They also make two<br />
private brand rackets for companies<br />
in Canada, one of which is marketed<br />
by Canadian Tire, which is similar to<br />
our Western Tire and Auto Stores in<br />
the U.S.A.<br />
They claim they originated the modern,<br />
open-throat, wood rackets. They<br />
made some for Spalding and then<br />
Spalding ‘stole’ the design and when<br />
they tied up together with Snauwaert,<br />
they began making them in Belgium<br />
and called it the ‘Speed Shaft’ model.<br />
Rackets manufactured:<br />
1974:<br />
President, open-throat wooden racket<br />
New information:<br />
Kingfox<br />
Superlight Industrial Co. Ltd.<br />
6530 Randolph Ave.<br />
Burnaby, B.C.<br />
Canada<br />
Company:<br />
It is quite conceivable that the main<br />
office of the company was located in<br />
the Far East. The Canadian address<br />
was presumably only the distributor<br />
for the North American market.<br />
In their advertising they promoted the<br />
“Dual Taper Beam”, which was a<br />
trademark of Wilson Sporting Goods<br />
and a patented design.<br />
They claimed to manufacture not only<br />
tennis rackets but also badminton,<br />
racket-ball and pelota rackets.<br />
Rackets manufactured:<br />
c. 1989:<br />
TC 380A<br />
TC 380B<br />
TC 400A<br />
TC 400B<br />
TC 600<br />
TC 601<br />
TC 555A<br />
TC 555B<br />
MB 3.8<br />
MB 6.8<br />
MB 750<br />
MB 900<br />
TC 999<br />
TC 6.5<br />
BG 7000<br />
BG 8000<br />
Most of these rackets are replicas of<br />
brand rackets of leading tennis<br />
companies such as the Wilson<br />
Sporting Goods and the Prince<br />
Company.<br />
Update<br />
New information:<br />
Wilson<br />
(The Harold A.) Company<br />
Toronto, Canada<br />
Company:<br />
More information is needed on this<br />
company.<br />
Selected rackets in collections:<br />
Wilson, solid frame. Bevelled on the<br />
inside. Concave. Shoulders canvas<br />
wrapped. Mahogany heart. Cedar shingles.<br />
Combed handle. Brass screw.<br />
Butt leather. On Racket: The Harold<br />
A. Wilson Co., Trade Mark, Toronto.<br />
Estimated: 1920<br />
Harold A. Wilson: Wilson, c. 1920<br />
280
Book of Tennis Rackets Rackets from Czechoslovakia<br />
Update<br />
New information:<br />
Neubauer, Josef<br />
Troppau<br />
Czechoslovakia<br />
Company:<br />
A sporting goods shop in Troppau,<br />
Czechoslovakia. Large selection of<br />
rackets of different brands.<br />
“My rackets offered match as far as<br />
their shape and quality is concerned<br />
the most expensive foreign makes but<br />
they are approx. Kc. 200.- cheaper.”<br />
Distributed rackets with the<br />
Neubauer imprint:<br />
1928:<br />
The Admirable<br />
The Governor<br />
Matchless<br />
Rival<br />
Sirius<br />
From: Lawn- Tennis-Handbuch. Offizielles Jahrbuch des<br />
Deutschen Lawn-Tennis-Verbands in der Tschechoslowakischen<br />
Republik, Edition 1928<br />
Courtesy Dr. H. Kerling<br />
Additional information to page 66:<br />
Artis<br />
Racket in the collection of Dr.<br />
Kerling:<br />
Elastic<br />
c. 1939<br />
Photos: courtesy Dr. Kerling<br />
The following racket was offered for<br />
auction at eBay between 2000 and 2005<br />
(Dr. H. Kerling):<br />
Neptun, completely painted in white<br />
c. 1960<br />
Capital “A” on butt end<br />
Artis: Elastic, c. 1939<br />
281
Book of Tennis Rackets Rackets from Hungary<br />
New information:<br />
Asbóth, József<br />
Hungary<br />
Company:<br />
József Asbóth (September 18, 1917,<br />
Szombathely - September <strong>22</strong>, 1986) was<br />
a Hungarian male tennis player, best<br />
remembered for being the first<br />
Hungarian tennis player to win a Grand<br />
Slam singles title, at the 1947 Roland<br />
Garros French Open. He reached the<br />
third place in Wimbledon in 1948. In<br />
1941 he was the member of the<br />
Hungarian team winning the Central<br />
European Cup. After his professional<br />
career he became responsible for the<br />
new generation at the Belgian Tennis<br />
Federation. Finally he was a trainer in<br />
Munich.<br />
(Wikipedia 2008)<br />
from an eBay auction 2008:<br />
József Asbóth, c. 1950<br />
Photodecal Picture Racket<br />
Update<br />
282
Book of Tennis Rackets Rackets from India<br />
New information:<br />
Harma’s<br />
Hans Raj Mahajan & Sons<br />
Makers<br />
India<br />
Harma:<br />
Matchpoint c. 1975<br />
Photographs courtesy<br />
Dr. H. Kerling<br />
Update<br />
Company:<br />
No information available.<br />
283
Book of Tennis Rackets Japanese Rackets<br />
Update<br />
New information:<br />
Mizuno<br />
Nanko-kita, Suminoe-ku<br />
Osaka<br />
Japan<br />
Company:<br />
Rihachi Mizuno and his younger<br />
brother Rizo established the Mizuno<br />
Store in Osaka, Japan, in 1906. They<br />
opened a branch in Tokyo six years<br />
later. They became a representative<br />
agent for Sandstramski (Sweden), in<br />
1920. Golf club production started in<br />
1921, followed by skis in 1923.<br />
Mizuno Sporting Goods Company Ltd.<br />
was formed. Branches were set up in<br />
Shanghai, Beijing, Tianjin, Qingdao<br />
and Dalien in 1938. They established<br />
the Shanghai Mizuno Sporting Goods<br />
Company, Ltd., in 1939. In 1940, the<br />
Manchuria Mizuno Industrial Company,<br />
Ltd. was formed.<br />
Seiichi Yoshikawa achieved a new<br />
record for both height and duration of<br />
flight using a Mizuno-made glider 301-<br />
type Soarer.<br />
In 1965, Mizuno opened the world’s<br />
largest golf factory in Yoro. A year<br />
later, they entered into a technical<br />
agreement with Australia’s Speedo<br />
Company for competitive swimwear.<br />
The late Rihachi Mizuno was inducted<br />
into the Baseball Hall of Fame, in<br />
1971.<br />
In 1972, Mizuno served as the Official<br />
Supplier for Sapporo Olympic Games.<br />
Mizuno golf clubs were inducted into<br />
the US Golf Hall of Fame.<br />
Mizuno U.S.A., Inc. was established<br />
in Dallas, in 1979.<br />
Mizuno is now a major general manufacturer<br />
of sport equipment and its<br />
activities are global. Its slogan:<br />
“To contribute to society through the<br />
advancement of sports and quality<br />
sporting goods.”<br />
It is not known when the production<br />
Mizuno: Green Cup, c. 1960<br />
of tennis rackets started and which<br />
models were made.<br />
Rackets in collections:<br />
Green Cup, laminated frame of 4 plies of<br />
beech. Marked on racket: R.K. Mizuno.<br />
Estimated: 1960<br />
New information:<br />
Mimatsu & Co.<br />
Toyo<br />
Japan<br />
Rackets in collections:<br />
A racket of this company was offered<br />
at an auction performed by Mullock<br />
Madeley in 2001 (Dr. H. Kerling).<br />
Butterfly, laminated wedge, Gold<br />
Medal wooden racket with regular<br />
handle, leather butt cap and collar.<br />
Approx. 1920’s<br />
284
Book of Tennis Rackets Korean Rackets<br />
New information:<br />
Esquire<br />
Racket Industrial Co., Ltd.<br />
Sangwoo Building<br />
18-172, 6A Eulji-Ro, Chung-Ku<br />
Seoul<br />
Korea<br />
Update<br />
Company:<br />
It is claimed that this company was<br />
established in1945. It is not known<br />
when this company started to make or<br />
distribute tennis rackets.<br />
Rackets manufactured/distributed:<br />
1990:<br />
Widebody Series:<br />
NT 1, 100% Graphite/Semiover size<br />
Special feature: The strings extend<br />
almost down to the handle.<br />
Throatless design.<br />
NT 2, 100% Graphite/Semiover size<br />
or 50% Graphite, 50% Glassfibre<br />
or 35% Graphite, 65% Glassfibre<br />
Perimeter weighing system, similar<br />
to the ‘Wilson Pro Staff’ design.<br />
ER905, 100% Graphite/Oversize<br />
ER906, 100% Graphite/Semiover<br />
size<br />
ER903, 100% Graphite/Semiover<br />
size<br />
or 50% Graphite, 50% Glassfibre<br />
or 35% Graphite, 65% Glassfibre<br />
ER902, 100% Graphite/Oversize<br />
ER901, 100% Graphite/Semiover<br />
size<br />
or 50% Graphite, 50% Glassfibre<br />
ER884, 100% Graphite/Semiover<br />
size<br />
or 50% Graphite, 50% Glassfibre<br />
or 35% Graphite, 65% Glassfibre<br />
ER891, 100% Graphite/Semiover<br />
size<br />
or 50% Graphite, 50% Glassfibre<br />
or 35% Graphite, 65% Glassfibre<br />
ER907, 100% Graphite/Semiover size<br />
Standard Series:<br />
ER882, 100% Graphite/<br />
Semiover size<br />
ER872, 100% Graphite/<br />
Semiover size<br />
ER626, 50% Graphite,<br />
50% Glassfibre/Semiover size<br />
ER871, 50% Graphite,<br />
50% Glassfibre/Semiover size<br />
ER727, 50%<br />
Graphite,<br />
50% Glassfibre/Semiover size<br />
CR777, 50% Graphite,<br />
50% Glassfibre/Semiover size<br />
Esquire: NT 1, throatless design, 1990<br />
ER861, 50% Graphite,<br />
50% Glassfibre/Semiover size<br />
ER908, 35% Graphite,<br />
65% Glassfibre/Semiover size<br />
ER717, 15% Graphite,<br />
85% Glassfibre/Midsize<br />
ER881, 15% Graphite,<br />
85% Glassfibre/Semiover size<br />
ER606, 15% Graphite,<br />
85% Glassfibre/Midsize<br />
ER616, 15% Graphite,<br />
85% Glassfibre/Midsize<br />
285
Book of Tennis Rackets Netherlands Rackets<br />
Additional information to page 386:<br />
Tennisay<br />
or Tennisa<br />
both denominations appear on the<br />
racket “The Flag” in the Kueblercollection.<br />
Nowhere is printed Tennis S.A.<br />
The logo shows two flags of the<br />
Netherlands. It is one of the oldest<br />
flags known. It probably is no<br />
coincidence that it appears on all<br />
Tennisay-rackets. Therefore it may<br />
well be assumed that the company<br />
was located somewhere in the<br />
Netherlands.<br />
Rackets in the Kuebler-collection:<br />
The Flag, laminated frame. Seven plies.<br />
Reinforced shoulders. Shoulders<br />
painted white. On Racket: Tennisa and<br />
Tennisay.<br />
c. 1935<br />
Update<br />
Majesty, laminated frame. Rawhide or coloured wood insert. Reinforced<br />
shoulders. Shoulders painted white. On Racket: Tennisay. Maestro. First<br />
Quality. Made in Czechoslovakia.<br />
c. 1939<br />
Majesty, ditto<br />
A capital “A” is printed on the butt end of the Majesty racket. Artis, the<br />
Czechoslovakian company (page 65 in the Book), printed such an “A” on its<br />
rackets. Maybe Artis made these rackets for Tennisay.<br />
Rackets in Dr. Kerling’s collection:<br />
University, laminated frame, Tennisay<br />
c. 1938<br />
City, with the logo Tennisay and<br />
Tennisa.<br />
c. 1938<br />
P.S.: There is most likely no<br />
connection to the Italian company<br />
Tennisa or Tennis S. A., which was<br />
located in Torino.<br />
Photos of these rackets on the<br />
following page courtesy Dr. Kerling.<br />
286
Book of Tennis Rackets Netherlands Rackets<br />
Update<br />
Tennisay: University c. 1938 Tennisay: City c. 1938<br />
287
Book of Tennis Rackets Netherlands Rackets<br />
Additional information to page 414:<br />
Wifra<br />
Racket in the collection of Dr. H.<br />
Kerling:<br />
Wifra: Match c. 1935<br />
Additional information to page 282:<br />
Pinguin<br />
Charlois/Rotterdam (1936 –1977)<br />
Zoeterwoude (1977 – 1987)<br />
Netherlands<br />
Company:<br />
Excerpt from a chapter on Pinguin<br />
rackets in the book Gravel & Gras<br />
(2003) in Dutch by Theo Bollerman<br />
(by permission)<br />
The only real Dutch tennis racket was<br />
produced by van de Hagenaar Jan<br />
Vermeulen (born 1910). There were<br />
also other rackets, which seemed to<br />
be of Dutch make such as the “Eilers”<br />
and the “Wifra” rackets. Eilers was,<br />
however, a dealer in Amsterdam trading<br />
in sporting goods and Wifra was the<br />
company name of Mr. Wilson and Mr.<br />
Fraayenberg who had a sporting<br />
goods shop in Rotterdam. The Wifra<br />
rackets came from abroad. Pinguin<br />
rackets were on the other hand purely<br />
Dutch made from the very beginning<br />
to the end. Any beginner in tennis in<br />
Holland born before 1970 certainly has<br />
held a Pinguin racket in his hands in<br />
his tennis career at one or the other<br />
time.<br />
Jan Vermeulen was a sportsman<br />
through and through. Running,<br />
soccer and tennis were his favourite<br />
hobbies. From his father’s home he<br />
started to sell Australian made rackets<br />
and strings, which he named after his<br />
mother’s maiden name: “Efring”. But<br />
what he wanted most was to produce<br />
his own tennis line.<br />
In 1936, he got the chance of buying<br />
a factory in Charlois a district of<br />
Rotterdam.<br />
The factory was converted to adapt<br />
the production of wooden laminated<br />
tennis rackets.<br />
Now a suitable name for his products<br />
has to be found. Pinguin seemed to<br />
be a perfect choice since it is a<br />
graceful animal and suited well for a<br />
simple logo which people could easily<br />
remember when they saw it once.<br />
It is... a Pinguin!<br />
In the course of his lifetime<br />
Vermeulen was not so sure to have<br />
chosen the best name. Some of his<br />
friends kidded him by saying “Again<br />
such a Pinguin” referring to other<br />
brand names using the same name.<br />
Update<br />
Some people spelt the name even<br />
incorrectly “Pinquin” with a q instead<br />
of a g and pronounced it accordingly.<br />
For the production of his Pinguin<br />
rackets Vermeulen asked his<br />
suppliers for the best woods<br />
available. He imported ash from<br />
Slovenia, France and white ash from<br />
Canada. The wood was cut into<br />
sheets, bent into shape of a racket<br />
using steam, staked, pressed and<br />
glued together. Then the unfinished<br />
racket was sanded and polished, the<br />
logo transfer applied and varnished.<br />
Fifteen girls were employed to string<br />
the rackets. Each girl could string<br />
about 20 to 25 frames in a working day.<br />
Daily production was accordingly<br />
about 300 rackets.<br />
The weight of each racket varied<br />
between 360 and 410 grams. The<br />
majority of grip sizes were 6 and 7 (4<br />
3/4” an 4 7/8”) contrary to the common<br />
sizes 3 and 4 (4 3/8” and 4 1/2”)<br />
nowadays. Jan Vermeulen used an<br />
even thicker grip on the racket he<br />
used, size 8, which was especially<br />
manufactured for him.<br />
Soon everyone in Holland engaged in<br />
tennis knew the trademark “Pinguin”.<br />
The yearly production amounted at<br />
its peak to approximately 65,000<br />
rackets. Half of them were exported<br />
particularly to the U.S.A. and Canada,<br />
but also to France. Certainly 50% of all<br />
tennis pros in Holland used Pinguin<br />
rackets amongst them Rinus<br />
Buytelaar and Theo Dekkers.<br />
The rackets were of a fantastic quality<br />
but never reached the image of a<br />
Dunlop or a Slazenger.<br />
If a Pinguin racket was returned<br />
broken it had still a useful purpose. It<br />
was burned in the open fireplace in<br />
Vermeulen’s home under the motto ‘it<br />
came back to keep our house warm’.<br />
In 1970 Vermeulen obtained the sole<br />
distribution-rights for Slazenger<br />
rackets in the Netherlands including<br />
a licensing arrangement to produce<br />
these rackets in his own factory for<br />
the Dutch market.<br />
Consequently people using Pinguin<br />
rackets did not know that they had a<br />
Slazenger design in their hands.<br />
The wooden laminated rackets sold<br />
well into the 80’s when the wooden<br />
era of rackets came suddenly to an<br />
288
Book of Tennis Rackets Netherlands Rackets<br />
Update<br />
Pinguin: International and Leader<br />
c. 1982<br />
courtesy Theo Bollerman<br />
Pinguin: Finalist c. 1980<br />
courtesy Theo Bollerman<br />
Pinguin: Kingswell c. 1980<br />
courtesy Theo Bollerman<br />
end. In all these years an amazing 3<br />
million Pinguin rackets have been<br />
made and sold.<br />
Jan Vermeulen‘s sons Jim and Huub<br />
had also joined the company. In 1977<br />
the factory in Rotterdam was sold and<br />
modern facilities were rented in<br />
Zoeterwoude.<br />
Vermeulen tried to develop rackets<br />
made of fibres embedded in epoxy<br />
resin in 1985 when such rackets<br />
appeared in the shelves of the<br />
sporting goods shops. The results<br />
were, however, not satisfactory.<br />
Sadly Vermeulen decided to stop the<br />
production of Pinguin rackets<br />
completely in 1987.<br />
Rackets manufactured:<br />
c. 1980:<br />
Bellwood, nine plies<br />
Finalist<br />
Finley, seven plies<br />
High Speed, seven plies<br />
Model de Luxe<br />
Kingswell<br />
Leader, seven plies<br />
Rival, seven plies<br />
Swingcraft, nine plies<br />
Tournament Model<br />
c. 1982:<br />
International<br />
Leader<br />
289
Book of Tennis Rackets Noname Rackets<br />
Update<br />
Additional information to<br />
No Name Rackets<br />
Racket with extraordinary stringing:<br />
The Alliance, Solid frame. Mahogany<br />
heart. Cedar shingles. Combed handle.<br />
Butt leather.<br />
It is strung with 32 mains and 33<br />
crosses. The strings lead twice<br />
through each hole. The strings form<br />
small squares from about 6 x 6 mm.<br />
No Name: The Alliance, c. 1898<br />
290
Book of Tennis Rackets Rackets from Pakistan<br />
New information:<br />
Bhalla & Co.<br />
Sialkot (Punjab), now Pakistan<br />
Update<br />
Company:<br />
No information available.<br />
Rackets in collections:<br />
A racket by this company was offered at an auction performed<br />
by Mullock Madeley in 2003 (Dr. H. Kerling).<br />
Perfection, convex, red inlaid hardened rubber support to the<br />
shoulders, regular handle with four grooves on each side.<br />
c. 19<strong>22</strong><br />
Additional information to page 398:<br />
Around 1890:<br />
J. S. Uberoi & Sons<br />
Later around 19<strong>22</strong>:<br />
Uberoi Ltd.<br />
Sialkot/Pakistan<br />
Company:<br />
From an ad in “The Times of India Annual 19<strong>22</strong>” we learn that<br />
the company had factories in Sialkot an industrial city in<br />
Pakistan. Rackets were mainly produced from imported English<br />
ash. The rackets were exported to many countries around the<br />
world but also sold in sales outlets in Sialkot, Calcutta,<br />
Madras, Lucknow, Delhi and Rangoon. It is quite feasible that<br />
the company sold also English brand rackets under its own<br />
name in its stores in these cities. (English military or other<br />
administrative personnel were regular customers).<br />
Patents:<br />
Patent No. 4969 was referred to in the ad. This was probably<br />
an English patent.<br />
Racket in the collection of Rolf Jaeger (2003)<br />
Uberoi, lopsided racket, extremely tilted to one side<br />
Estimated: 1880?<br />
Uberoi: Ad in “The Times of India Annual 19<strong>22</strong>”<br />
Racket: “The Entirent”, 19<strong>22</strong><br />
Courtesy: Dr. H. Kerling<br />
291
Book of Tennis Rackets Rackets from Pakistan<br />
New information:<br />
Mahboob<br />
Sialkot (Punjab), since 1947 Pakistan,<br />
India<br />
Update<br />
Company:<br />
A retailer or store selling English<br />
rackets with its own name to English<br />
military or other administrative<br />
personnel.<br />
However one story tells differently:<br />
“Sports goods manufacturing<br />
industry in India started in Sialkot,<br />
Punjab, because an Englishman broke<br />
his tennis racket and could not get a<br />
replacement. He had it repaired by a<br />
local man who did such a good job<br />
that an industry was born. Recorded<br />
history of this industry goes back to<br />
1895 when the city started becoming<br />
famous for its tennis racquets. The<br />
racket described below, however,<br />
predates the known history of racket<br />
manufacture in India by 9 years.<br />
Rackets in collections:<br />
From an auction catalogue, Sotheby’s,<br />
July 11, 2002<br />
The Triple Handled, flat top, convex<br />
wedge with retailer’s (Mahboob,<br />
Sialkot) stamp and date, red morocco<br />
bands at top and bottom of the triple<br />
handled racket.<br />
Dated 1886.<br />
PS: “The Triple-Handled” racket by<br />
Ayres is shown on page 72 of the<br />
Book.<br />
Excerpt from “The Tennis Collector”,<br />
Number 60, Summer 2007:<br />
...This design was protected by<br />
English Patent Number 662 of 16<br />
February 1881, and produced by our<br />
old friend Frederick Henry Ayres ...<br />
... the “undulating grip” was supposed<br />
to facilitate: the service (using the full<br />
length of the racket); the volley (with<br />
the middle grip); the “twist” (with the<br />
grip nearest the head), but one can<br />
question whether this was practical or<br />
effective, and it is easy to see why<br />
there are so few around today...<br />
Ayres: Triple handled racket, 1886<br />
Retailer: Mahboob, Sialkot.<br />
Note: This racket should have been listed under<br />
Ayres, in the English section of the Book.<br />
There is no doubt that the shown<br />
racket is an original Ayres racket.<br />
Mr. G.N. Gurney writes in a letter to<br />
the author, April 2009:<br />
“Only two of these rackets are known:<br />
One was sold at Sotheby’s, July 11,<br />
2002 (under an erroneous description)<br />
for the astonishing price of € 11400<br />
plus charges. And there is one in the<br />
Gurney collection.<br />
Please consult also the English Patent<br />
section of this Update.<br />
292
Book of Tennis Rackets Russian Rackets<br />
Additional information to page 410:<br />
Vostok<br />
Raznoexport<br />
15, Verhnyaya Krasnosselskaya Ul.,<br />
Moscow 107140 USSR<br />
Rackets manufactured:<br />
A catalogue of this company<br />
describing its rackets was provided<br />
by Glenn A. Bjorkman in 2005.<br />
c. 1978:<br />
Bus<br />
“Ideal for Professional and amateur<br />
tennis players. Made of high-grade<br />
hard-wood timber (birch, beech,<br />
walnut, ash and mahogany) and fibre<br />
overlays, the laminations of which are<br />
cemented together using waterresistant<br />
synthetic glue and finished<br />
with water-resistant enamels and<br />
lacquers. Also available without<br />
strings.”<br />
Soyuz, ditto<br />
Kort<br />
“Made of extruded aluminium sections<br />
with a plastic handle attached which<br />
is covered by genuine leather or a<br />
synthetic grip band.<br />
Note by author:<br />
It is questionable if the rackets had<br />
their given names Bus, Soyuz or Kort<br />
printed on them<br />
Update<br />
Vostok: Bus and Soyuz, c. 1978<br />
293
Book of Tennis Rackets South American Rackets<br />
New information:<br />
Procópio<br />
Sao Paulo<br />
Brazil<br />
Company:<br />
Thiago Medeiros wrote an e-mail to<br />
fellow collector Clark Benson August<br />
2005 describing a ‘Procópio Driver’<br />
made in Brazil.<br />
“Mr. Procópio founded the first tennis<br />
club in Brazil, the Paysandu Tennis<br />
Club in Sao Paulo. He created the<br />
Banana Bowl and was founder of<br />
probably the only racket manufacturer<br />
in the whole of South America. The<br />
rackets offered were extremely well<br />
made using high quality Brazilian<br />
woods such as rosewood, Jatoba etc.<br />
and were used by many South<br />
American tennis players. In 1970 he<br />
made a deal with Donnay to produce<br />
their rackets in Brazil but these models<br />
never had the success Procópio<br />
rackets did. I am enclosing some<br />
pictures of the racket in my<br />
possession.”<br />
(the Banana Bowl (since c. 1970) may<br />
be considered today as a ‘Grand-Slam-<br />
Tournament’ for junior tennis players<br />
taking place in Sao Paulo)<br />
Update<br />
Procópio Driver c. 1953<br />
Book of Tennis Rackets Swedish Rackets<br />
Update<br />
New information:<br />
Svenska Racketfabriken<br />
Uppsala<br />
Sweden<br />
Company:<br />
No Information available.<br />
eBay auction 2008:<br />
Svenska<br />
c. 1928<br />
294
Book of Tennis Rackets Swiss Rackets<br />
Update<br />
New information:<br />
Fritsch & Cie<br />
Racket in the collection of Dr. H.<br />
Kerling:<br />
Special, solid frame, wedge of<br />
rosewood, convex.<br />
Estimated 1914<br />
Additional information to page 375:<br />
Staub, Richard<br />
From a catalogue of “Spezial-<br />
Versandhaus für Rasen-Sportartikel”,<br />
Hans Rückeshaeuser jr., Mainz, 1909:<br />
1909:<br />
Stella<br />
Club<br />
Champion<br />
Smash<br />
Suisse Champion<br />
Staubs Best<br />
From a prospectus of a sporting goods<br />
house, Mitteldeutsches Sporthaus<br />
GmbH, (MSH) Erfurt, Schluesserstr.<br />
19, Germany.<br />
Rackets manufactured:<br />
1926:<br />
Weltmeister<br />
Imperator<br />
From “Fichard, Deutsches Lawn-<br />
Tennis Jahrbuch, 1909”: Details of the<br />
construction of the throat which is<br />
laminated with five plies (Staub’s<br />
Best).<br />
Left:<br />
From “Tennis & Golf”, 1925,<br />
Heft 10 (Dr. H. Kerling)<br />
Fritsch: Special c. 1914<br />
New information:<br />
Stella<br />
Switzerland<br />
Company:<br />
No information available.<br />
GmbH, (MSH) Erfurt, Schluesserstr.<br />
19, Germany.<br />
Rackets manufactured:<br />
c. 1929:<br />
Stella (Schweitzer Fabrikat – Swiss<br />
made)<br />
From a prospectus of a sporting goods<br />
house, Mitteldeutsches Sporthaus<br />
295
Book of Tennis Rackets Rackets from Taiwan<br />
Additional information to page 315:<br />
RoxPro International Corp.<br />
342 Keelung Road, Sec. 1<br />
Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C.<br />
Parent Company:<br />
Sursun Enterprise Co., Ltd.<br />
Catalogues of this company describing<br />
its rackets were provided by Glenn A.<br />
Björkman in 2005.<br />
Company:<br />
Sursun Enterprise made rackets for<br />
major brands since 1973. The Roxpro<br />
brand name was born in 1981, the Rox<br />
brand name without the suffix Pro<br />
probably in 1990.<br />
‘The logo of Rox:<br />
The circle symbolizes the sun. The<br />
oblique lines symbolize green leaves.<br />
The meaning is to encourage the spirit<br />
of enterprise like the everlasting sun<br />
and the daily growth of green leaves.<br />
Rox is composed of the initials for<br />
Rackets of Xcellance/Excellance.’<br />
Kuni Tseng is responsible for the<br />
development of rackets for the<br />
company since 1972.<br />
handle for more power enlarging the<br />
sweet spot at the same time. The Space<br />
T1 has 15% more power and 30% less<br />
twist than conventional frames.’<br />
Space T2, composite, oversize<br />
Vectra 112, composite, oversize<br />
Vectra 95, composite, midsize<br />
Sigma 112, composite, oversize<br />
Sigma 6, composite, midsize<br />
Futura 2<br />
Update<br />
Futura 1<br />
Emulation 95, graphite, midsize<br />
1989:<br />
Sigma 5 – composite<br />
Hipro 5 – composite<br />
Profeel 10 – composite<br />
Profeel 700 – composite<br />
Pro 1 – composite<br />
Pro 2 – composite<br />
Dyna Diamond 88 – composite<br />
New Star 23 – composite<br />
Mixpower 11 – composite<br />
Ceramax 12 – composite<br />
Profeel A97 – aluminium<br />
Profeel X97 – aluminium<br />
Hipro 88 – aluminium<br />
RoxPro 7518 – aluminium<br />
RoxPro 7576 – aluminium<br />
RoxPro 8267 – aluminium<br />
Patents:<br />
Please add to the patents already<br />
listed:<br />
Canada 421786, Denmark 692183<br />
U.S.A. 4333650, 4437662, UK 2056288,<br />
Taiwan 18429<br />
1985:<br />
Rox 8561 Mid-Size, composite<br />
SP.IN-Pro, the mains extend through<br />
the throat piece to a connecting<br />
member above the handle. US Patent<br />
No. 4333650 and 4437662, composite,<br />
midsize<br />
Dyna Diamond 85, plus 25%, midsize,<br />
composite<br />
Dyna Ace 21, plus 20%, midsize,<br />
composite<br />
Dyna Plus, aluminium oversize racket<br />
strung with Nylon Hi Sheep string.<br />
c. 1989:<br />
Space T1, graphite, midsize<br />
Description of the Space T1 racket by<br />
RoxPro:<br />
‘The SPACE FUNCTIONERS are<br />
positioned in the frame to dampen the<br />
vibrations before they are transmitted<br />
to the handle. They allow the main<br />
strings to be extended down to the<br />
296
Book of Tennis Rackets Rackets from Taiwan<br />
Additional information to page 266:<br />
Mitsushiba<br />
Professional Sporting Goods<br />
13F 102 Tun Hwa North Road<br />
Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C.<br />
Parent Company:<br />
Tai San Industrial Co., Ltd.<br />
Maibor (M.I.B.) Corporation<br />
Update<br />
Flyers of this company describing its<br />
rackets were provided by Glenn A.<br />
Bjorkman in 2005.<br />
Company:<br />
These companies belong to the San<br />
Ho Enterprises in Taiwan,<br />
manufacturers of many different<br />
sporting goods and one of the biggest<br />
luggage and suitcase makers of that<br />
country in the 1980’s with approx. 1200<br />
employees. The company was founded<br />
in 1947.<br />
Rackets manufactured:<br />
1985:<br />
All graphite and composites<br />
TG 767 Polaris, oversize<br />
TG 727 Hawk, midsize<br />
TG 747 Trily Graphite, oversize<br />
297
Book of Tennis Rackets Stringing Patterns and Systems<br />
Stringing Patterns and Systems<br />
All kinds of stringing patterns have been used in the past.<br />
It is impossible to give a complete survey of all patterns<br />
and systems. It is not far from the truth that each master<br />
stringer has or had his own philosophy about how to<br />
string rackets. A mass of information about stringing can<br />
be drawn from the past issues and newsletters of the American<br />
Association of Professional Stringers, which was<br />
founded by the late Rick Pray in the 1970s. Some patterns<br />
of particular interest are shown and discussed in<br />
the following chapters.<br />
Prior to the year 1978 there have been no restrictions<br />
whatsoever for the design of rackets and for the way they<br />
were strung. This was changed 1978 when the International<br />
Tennis Federation (ITF) issued rules for stringing in<br />
view of Werner Fischer‘s invention (double stringing<br />
system - also called Visbiburger Stringing or Spaghetti<br />
Stringing) which imparted an incalculable spin on the ball,<br />
changing the game completely. Please refer to page 237 in<br />
the main book and in the corresponding chapter on Fischer<br />
Besaitungstechnik GmbH in the Update).<br />
1978 - ITF - Wording of the Rule<br />
The racket shall consist of a frame and a stringing.<br />
The Frame. The frame may be of any material, weight, size<br />
or shape.<br />
The Stringing. The strings must be alternately interlaced<br />
or bonded where they cross and each string must be<br />
connected to the frame. If there are attachments, they must<br />
be used only to prevent wear and tear and must not alter<br />
the flight of the ball. The density in the centre must be at<br />
least equal to the average density of the stringing.<br />
The latest rules (Jan. 2008) read after many alterations<br />
have been made in the meantime:<br />
2006 - ITF Wording of the Rule - all new text<br />
APPENDIX II - THE RACKET<br />
a. The hitting surface, defined as the main area of the<br />
stringing pattern bordered by the points of entry of the<br />
strings into the frame or points of contact of the strings<br />
with the frame, whichever is the smaller, shall be flat and<br />
consist of a pattern of crossed strings connected to a<br />
frame and alternately interlaced or bonded where they<br />
cross. The stringing pattern must be generally uniform<br />
and, in particular, not less dense in the centre than in any<br />
other area. The racket shall be designed and strung such<br />
that the playing characteristics are identical on both faces.<br />
The racket shall be free of attached objects, protrusions<br />
and devices other than those utilised solely and specifically<br />
to limit or prevent wear and tear or vibration or, for the<br />
frame only, to distribute weight. These objects, protrusions<br />
and devices must be reasonable in size and placement for<br />
such purposes.<br />
b. The frame of the racket shall not exceed 29.0 inches<br />
(73.7 cm) in overall length, including the handle. The frame<br />
of the racket shall not exceed 12.5 inches (31.7 cm) in<br />
overall width. The hitting surface shall not exceed 15.5<br />
Update<br />
inches (39.4 cm) in overall length, and 11.5 inches (29.2 cm)<br />
in overall width.<br />
c. The frame, including the handle, and the strings, shall<br />
be free of any device which makes it possible to change<br />
materially the shape of the racket, or to change the weight<br />
distribution in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the<br />
racket which would alter the swing moment of inertia, or to<br />
change deliberately any physical property which may<br />
affect the performance of the racket during the playing of<br />
a point. No energy source that in any way changes or<br />
affects the playing characteristics of a racket may be built<br />
into or attached to a racket.<br />
Many of the stringing patterns shown on the following<br />
pages do not comply with these rules. But please keep in<br />
mind that the rules did not exist before the year 1978.<br />
298
Book of Tennis Rackets Stringing Patterns and Systems<br />
Chapter 1<br />
... Centre reinforced by longitudinal strands parallel to<br />
the main strands ... claim 1 of U.S. Patent 644.877, 1900,<br />
inventor F.L. Slazenger and English Patent No. 13.799,<br />
1898, inventors A.E.L. Slazenger and J.H. Hitchcock. A<br />
patent usually runs for 18 years. A prolongation is not<br />
possible. After that time it can be applied by anyone without<br />
infringing it. The purpose of this invention was to<br />
reinforce the stringing-web, to strengthen the racket and<br />
the union of the centrepiece (wedge) with the frame. The<br />
cited patents are more closely discussed in the patent<br />
Update<br />
section of the book, page 493 and 514. This stringing<br />
method in all its variations was widely used from 1900 at<br />
least until the early 1930s.<br />
Apparently this patent did not prevent competitors from<br />
copying this invention neither in England nor in the U.S.A.<br />
(in these countries where they were granted) although<br />
some English-made Slazenger Rackets show an imprint:<br />
Slazenger‘s Patent Stringing (photo below).<br />
Claim 1 of the U.S. Patent covers all variations shown or<br />
discussed in this chapter.<br />
Example 1, stringing method 1<br />
Two additional mains in the centre. Method 1 needs a<br />
transversal hole through the wedge or neck of the racket.<br />
No additional grooves are required on the top-rim of the<br />
frame.<br />
start here<br />
two loops<br />
top-rim<br />
two loops on top of<br />
each other<br />
hole<br />
through<br />
the wedge<br />
No additional grooves are required<br />
at the top-rim of the frame.<br />
Racket ‘Doherty’, c. 1909: ‘Slazenger’s Patent<br />
Stringing’ referring to patent GB 13799, from 1898.<br />
Many Slazenger’s models have this imprint.<br />
One transversal hole must be provided<br />
leading through the wedge, but no<br />
additional grooves are required.<br />
Conclusion: Rackets with a transversal<br />
hole through the wedge or neck are most<br />
likely made after 1898.<br />
299
Book of Tennis Rackets Stringing Patterns and Systems<br />
Example 1, stringing method 2<br />
This stringing method as well as the patent drawing of the cited U.S.<br />
Patent follow the description of patent-claim 2. The last longitudinal<br />
string on each side is led through the hole in the centrepiece and led<br />
upwards parallel to the string which already occupies this hole. Then<br />
it is secured with a knot as shown on the drawing.<br />
For this purpose two additional grooves are required on the top-rim of<br />
the frame.<br />
Update<br />
two loops on top of each other start here<br />
knot<br />
Patent drawing<br />
twice<br />
through the<br />
same hole<br />
last<br />
longitudinal<br />
string<br />
Conclusion: Rackets with additional grooves on the top-rim of the frame are most likely made after 1898.<br />
Example 2, stringing method 1<br />
Two additional mains each of them one string off centre. This stringing method requires a transversal hole through<br />
the wedge of the racket and additional grooves on the top-rim of the frame. Conclusion: Rackets with additional<br />
grooves on the top-rim and a hole through the wedge are most likely made after 1898.<br />
a transversal hole is required and<br />
additional grooves on the top-rim<br />
(shown) of the frame<br />
twice<br />
through the<br />
same hole<br />
start<br />
hole through<br />
the wedge<br />
Example 2, stringing method 1<br />
300
Example 2, stringing method 2<br />
This stringing method follows the description of patent-claim 2 of the<br />
U.S. Patent. The last longitudinal string on each side is led on the<br />
outer side of the frame to and through the hole in the centrepiece and<br />
upwards parallel to the string that already occupies this hole. Then<br />
it is secured with a knot as shown on the drawing.<br />
Advantage: A traditional frame can be used without any alterations<br />
e.g. additional grooves or holes.<br />
Conclusion: Rackets strung this way can originate before 1898,<br />
strung of course at a later date. There is neither a hole through the<br />
wedge nor additional grooves at the top-rim of the frame.<br />
Vice-versa: Rackets with a hole through the wedge or additional<br />
grooves on the top-rim are made most likely after 1898.<br />
knot<br />
two loops on top of eachother<br />
traditional frame without<br />
any alterations<br />
top-rim<br />
twice<br />
through the<br />
same hole<br />
last<br />
longitudinal<br />
string<br />
This is the only stringing method where no alterations of the frame were required for the additional two mains.<br />
Example 3<br />
Two additional mains at the third string hole off centre.<br />
Not very often applied. Additional grooves are required<br />
at the top-rim of the frame.<br />
knot<br />
twice<br />
through the<br />
same hole<br />
301
Book of Tennis Rackets Stringing Patterns and Systems<br />
additional grooves required<br />
Update<br />
Example 4<br />
Four additional mains in the centre. Not very often utilised. Additional<br />
grooves are required at the top-rim of the frame.<br />
twice<br />
through the<br />
same hole<br />
last<br />
longitudinal<br />
string<br />
six additional<br />
crosses<br />
start here with the mains<br />
start here with<br />
the cross string<br />
Derivations from the original patent<br />
Example 5<br />
Four additional mains in the centre combined with<br />
six additional crosses. Many combinations are<br />
possible e.g. six additional mains, seven crosses etc.<br />
the result being always a very close stringing pattern<br />
in the centre of the racket. These stringing patterns<br />
have not been used often. They were more or less<br />
experimental.<br />
Thinner gut is often used, sometimes only for the<br />
crosses.<br />
The way to string such rackets can be easily seen on<br />
the drawing by following the arrows.<br />
four additional<br />
mains<br />
302
Book of Tennis Rackets Stringing Patterns and Systems<br />
Update<br />
start here with the mains<br />
start here with<br />
the cross string<br />
two additional<br />
mains<br />
Derivations from the original patent<br />
Example 6<br />
Two additional mains in the centre. Fan-type stringing<br />
pattern. The stringing spacing becomes closer towards<br />
the heart of the racket and wider towards the top. In this<br />
way it is believed that the sweetspot is moved upwards<br />
towards the geometrical centre of the racket.<br />
Some rackets of the 1990s and later follow that idea and<br />
have additional holes instead of leading the string twice<br />
through one hole.<br />
303
Book of Tennis Rackets Stringing Patterns and Systems<br />
Chapter 2<br />
Diagonal stringing system<br />
One of the very first etchings of a racket shows a diagonally<br />
strung one (Antonio Scaino: Trattato del Givoco della<br />
Palla, published 1555 - please refer to page 13 in the main<br />
book). Many manufacturers have claimed since to have<br />
invented the diagonal stringing system, which is of course<br />
a farce in view of Scaino.<br />
Stringing a racket diagonally requires nevertheless some<br />
knowledge about the interaction of the strings with the<br />
frame. The angle of the strings to the longitudinal centre<br />
line cannot be chosen arbitrarily. The frame may distort<br />
considerably. An angle too flat makes it rounder; an angle<br />
too steep stretches it. Under such conditions the frame<br />
may even break. Which is the correct angle? The following<br />
method can be used as a rule of thumb:<br />
Update<br />
Example 7<br />
Diagonally strung racket. It is claimed that there is no<br />
difference in the length of the strings, thus giving a more<br />
uniform response at impact of the ball.<br />
As long as rackets were made, some manufacturers offered<br />
rackets diagonally strung, sometimes also called ‘diamond’<br />
strung.<br />
start<br />
start<br />
angle<br />
angle<br />
centre line<br />
Karton 54<br />
Ergo:<br />
If a racket has a long stretched oval face:<br />
A steeper angle is required.<br />
Wider oval faces:<br />
A shallower angle is required.<br />
Circular face: 45 °<br />
Angles chosen too steep will produce a wider oval and<br />
vice versa, since the frame cannot withstand the huge<br />
forces the multiple strings exert on it.<br />
General advice:<br />
Most players prefer a racket that has elongated during<br />
stringing by about 1mm. If an angle of 35° has been<br />
determined by this simple method, it is therefore<br />
recommended to choose an angle of 38°, thus elongating<br />
the frame slightly.<br />
Jefferies: Diamond Strung, c. 1892<br />
304
Book of Tennis Rackets Stringing Patterns and Systems<br />
Chapter 3<br />
Standard stringing system<br />
From the past until today an oval racket face (or frame) is<br />
(or has been) preferred to other geometrical shapes. A<br />
circular geometry of the frame is (or has been) rarely used<br />
and almost never a rectangular one. Sometimes an eggshaped<br />
or pear-shaped geometry has appeared. Also the<br />
shape of a long stretched water-droplet was applied.<br />
The following considerations imply an oval shaped racket<br />
face. The length of the longest cross string will be<br />
designated with “A” and the longest main string with “B”.<br />
The ratio A : B lies most likely between 0,68 to 0,85 for all<br />
these rackets the average being probably ca. 0,75.<br />
A number indicating the sqin or the cm 2 defines the strung<br />
face area.<br />
ca. sqin ca. cm 2 ca. kg<br />
Standard size: 70 450 ca. <strong>22</strong><br />
Midsize: 90 580 ca. 24<br />
Midsize Plus: 100 645 ca. 26<br />
Oversize: 110 710 ca. 28<br />
Bigsize: 125 800 ca. 30<br />
Update<br />
The manufacturers recommend stringing tensions (in the<br />
following referred to as reference tension) for the main and<br />
cross strings to be set at the stringing machine, usually for<br />
both the same tension, sometimes, however, 1 or 2 kg lower<br />
for the cross strings.<br />
General rule: For larger head-sizes higher tensions, for<br />
smaller lower tensions. Professionals and experienced<br />
players have often their own ideas for the best tension<br />
they prefer for their rackets. The strings produce a certain<br />
tune when struck, the pitch of which is a good indication<br />
for the right tension for many professionals on the court.<br />
But is this reference tension set at the machine also the<br />
actual tension of the strings in the racket frame? No, it is<br />
not. It is significantly lower! The reasons are:<br />
1. The moment the string is released it begins to slacken.<br />
2. Mechanical tolerances in the fixtures holding the racket<br />
in place lead to a lower tension as well as<br />
3. Mechanical tolerances of the string pliers holding the<br />
string in place.<br />
4. Interlacing the crosses with the mains.<br />
5.Yielding of the frame material such as grommet strips.<br />
6. Turns and the looping at the holes.<br />
7. Gliding resistance and friction at the holes.<br />
8. Knots to tie off the strings.<br />
The actual tension is therefore only about 65% of the<br />
reference tension. If it only was that simple, but it is not.<br />
The oval frame distorts under the load of the strings. The<br />
crosses compress the frame, being weaker in this direction.<br />
If there were no mains (and of course no supporting<br />
fixtures or bolts for the frame held down to the stringing<br />
machine) in the racket counteracting this force of maybe<br />
520 kg (20 crosses with each lets assume 26 kg), the racket<br />
would collapse. If you string a racket using the<br />
recommended values for the reference tension, you will<br />
observe that the racket, when removed from the machine,<br />
305
has lengthened by approx. 1 to 2 mm. How much depends<br />
on the ratio of A to B. A circular face has naturally a ratio<br />
of one. There will be no distortion of the frame, the forces<br />
being the same, equalizing each other in all directions. If<br />
the ratio is 0,5 the elongation is considerable and can<br />
reach easily 5 mm.<br />
The crosses have lost some of their actual tension whereas<br />
the actual tension of the mains has increased.<br />
The result is one of the phenomena least understood by<br />
players but also by many stringers.<br />
The actual tension of the mains is now ca. 30 % lower than<br />
the reference tension first set at the machine and that of<br />
the crosses ca. 45 % lower. Even modern frames made of<br />
the stiffest materials are not strong enough to change this<br />
fact. One example:<br />
A midsize plus racket is strung at 26 kg. The longest main<br />
is B = 29 cm, the longest cross string A = <strong>22</strong>,5 cm. Ratio A<br />
to B = 0,78. The actual tension of the mains: 26 less 30%:<br />
18,2 kg. Of the crosses: 26 less 45%: 14,3 kg. In most cases<br />
these tensions follow very closely the ratio of the longest<br />
cross string to the longest main string. Rule of thumb: A<br />
: B = actual tension of the crosses : actual tension of the<br />
mains.<br />
These considerations are important to be able to evaluate<br />
stringing methods with variable tensions such as:<br />
The reference tension is set individually for each string<br />
e.g. proportional to its length, having in mind a more<br />
uniform response of the hitting area. Many such patents<br />
have been applied for and some were even granted.<br />
However, the result is negligible and scarcely measurable.<br />
When the actual tension is determined in the racket frame<br />
(very simple with a string meter or more elaborate in a lab),<br />
we will find that the ratio of the tensions will be nevertheless<br />
approx. that one of A : B.<br />
This particular stringing method is referred to as „Harmonic<br />
Stringing“ and was first described in the German booklet<br />
„Bespannungsvorschläge“ (proposals for stringing),<br />
published in 1980 by Kuebler + Co., Singen. Ulrich Kühnel<br />
who refined the system took up that idea. In Boris Becker‘s<br />
playing career all his rackets have been strung accordingly<br />
(Kühnel-System).<br />
Preferred string tensions of the 1997/98 top players.<br />
Examples for reference tensions.<br />
Siegfried Schwank, professional stringer and Steffi Graf’s favourite stringer<br />
during her prime time compiled these data in 1998.<br />
Player Company Racket Model Size Tension in kg String Model Syn./Gut<br />
cm 2 mains crosses<br />
Agassi, Andre Head Radical Tour 690 28 28 KevlarNS Megalife 140 synthetic<br />
Becker, Boris Puma/Head Champion 95 600 30 28 VS Natur 127 gut<br />
Berasatgui Head Prestige Tour 600 25 23 Polystar 1,30 synthetic<br />
Bruguera, Sergi Yonex RD 7 613 24 <strong>22</strong> Tecnifibre 625 TGV synthetic<br />
Chang, Michael Prince M. Chang 700 29 29 VS Control 135 gut<br />
Courier, Jim Wilson Pro Staff (neu) 600 28 28 OG Sheep Micro Gosen synthetic<br />
Edberg, Stefan Wilson Pro Staff (alt) 600 26 25 VS Power 125 gut<br />
Enqvist, Thomas Prince Precision Graphite 640 28 28 VS Power 130 gut<br />
Ferreira, Wayne Dunlop Revelation Pro 90 610 23 23 OG Sheep Micro Gosen synthetic<br />
Ivanisevic, Goran Head Prestige Classic 600 24 23 VS Power 130 gut<br />
Kafelnikov, Yevg_ Fischer Vacuum Pro 98 630 26 26 ZF - Powergy 130 synthetic<br />
Krajicek, Richard Yonex RD Tour 90 580 26 26 VS Power 125 gut<br />
Martin, Todd Wilson Hammer 6.2 645 30 28 VS Control 135 gut<br />
Medvedev, Andre Prince Precision Graphite 640 27 27 Tecnifibre 625 TGV synthetic<br />
Muster, Thomas Kneissl Tom’s Machine 635 34 33 VS Power 125 gut<br />
Philipoussis, Mark Dunlop Revelation Tour Pro 613 33 32 VS Power 130 gut<br />
Rios, Marcelo Yonex Super RD Tour 95 613 28 28 VS Control 135 gut<br />
Rosset, Marc Head Prestige Classic 600 26 25 VS Power 130 gut<br />
Sampras, Pete Wilson Pro Staff (alt) 600 33 33 VS Power 125 gut<br />
Stich, Michael Fischer Vacuum Pro Mid 630 27 26 VS Power 125 gut<br />
306
Book of Tennis Rackets Stringing Patterns and Systems<br />
Chapter 4<br />
Unusual stringing<br />
Example 1 - Wide spacing of the mains<br />
Wide spacing of the centre mains getting narrower to the<br />
outer mains.<br />
Purpose: improved grip on the ball? Greater flexibility of<br />
the web?<br />
Update<br />
Example 2 - Narrow spacing of the mains and crosses,<br />
using eyelids of brass.<br />
The Isis of Slazenger, 1906, narrowly spaced main and<br />
cross strings, leading through eyelids of brass and turned<br />
around a string running along the outside of the frame.<br />
Example 4 - Crosses looped around the mains by 360°<br />
at each intersection<br />
This stringing system was common for the “Jeu de<br />
Paume” in the 18th century until 1880. It produces a<br />
rough side for cutting balls and a smooth side for hitting<br />
them at a faster pace. Thinner gut was used for the<br />
crosses probably for the ease of stringing (by hand),<br />
sometimes half the thickness of the mains (please refer<br />
to the main book page 20).<br />
307
Book of Tennis Rackets Stringing Patterns and Systems<br />
Example 3 - Piano wire (steel) stringing<br />
In the 1920s a few manufacturers started to make rackets<br />
of metal using steel tubing (e.g. Dayton Racquet Co. Inc.,<br />
page 121 in the main book) or even solid aluminium bars<br />
(e.g. Birmingham Aluminium Casting Ltd., page 97 in the<br />
main book). These rackets were strung with thin twisted<br />
piano wire. Dayton claimed that their rackets could<br />
withstand even severe abuse, the frame being of steel<br />
tubing and the strings of steel wire that would not slacken<br />
during their lifetime. So their rackets found their way<br />
easily to schools and were preferred to wooden frames<br />
strung with gut.<br />
Update<br />
Chapter 5<br />
Different materials and diameters for the strings<br />
Example 1<br />
Hybrid stringing<br />
Gut string for the mains, synthetic string for the crosses.<br />
Many players (especially at the top) still prefer gut to<br />
synthetic strings. They claim that gut is livelier, generates<br />
more power and has more feel. Disadvantages are a higher<br />
price, a lower life, and losing fast its tension in humidity,<br />
especially in rain. Remember Pete Sampras. After only half<br />
an hour’s match play, his only 8,5 gauge gut strings were<br />
broken. A synthetic string would have lasted at least three<br />
to five times as long.<br />
The hybrid method increases the life of the strings approx.<br />
twofold owing to the lower friction between gut and<br />
synthetic vs. gut - gut. Many players report that there is<br />
almost no difference in the performance compared to that<br />
of all gut.<br />
Example 2<br />
Different diameters<br />
Occasionally different diameters were employed for the<br />
mains and the crosses. Thicker strings for the mains and<br />
thinner ones for the crosses.<br />
Example 3<br />
Micro stringing<br />
The diameter of normal strings varies between 1,15 to 1,45<br />
mm. In the 1980s Kennex (also Pro Kennex) introduced the<br />
Micro Stringing System that was soon copied by other<br />
leading companies. It provided much closer spacing of the<br />
strings with a thin diameter of only 0,9 to 1mm. After a few<br />
years the run was over. There was no significant advantage<br />
over normal stringing (book page <strong>22</strong>7. Kennex Micro Ace<br />
1985).<br />
308
Book of Tennis Rackets Stringing Patterns and Systems<br />
Example 4<br />
Varying diameter of the string itself<br />
e. g. the Wilson Sweetspot String<br />
The ends of the string are thinner than the centre of the<br />
string. It is claimed that the sweet spot increases when a<br />
racket is strung in such a way. Wilson introduced this<br />
string in 1994. US Patent issued: 5,346,212 granted to<br />
Siegfried Kuebler. The manufacturing process proved to<br />
be very difficult. The strings with varying diameter had<br />
poor mechanical stability and broke easily. Therefore they<br />
were taken off the market after only one year.<br />
This stringing system provides a larger sweet spot since<br />
the thinner strings are also the shorter ones, yielding more<br />
on impact of the ball. The longer strings are thicker in their<br />
diameter, yielding less. Therefore all strings (taking into<br />
account their individual length from hole to hole) yield<br />
about the same in absolute numbers e.g. in millimetres.<br />
start here with the main string<br />
Update<br />
start here with the cross string<br />
Wilson: Stringing<br />
instructions<br />
sweetspot increases (pink)<br />
Wilson: “Varied Gauge Sweet Spot String”<br />
String shown not to scale: It is 5,5 m long starting and ending with a diameter of 1,15 mm increasing to 1,45<br />
mm from both sides towards its middle.<br />
309
Book of Tennis Rackets Racket Presses<br />
Racket Presses<br />
Racket presses were used regularly<br />
on wooden rackets from at least the<br />
late 1880s until the 1980s when the<br />
wooden rackets gradually disappeared<br />
from the courts. On the butt end of<br />
many rackets appeared the advice:<br />
“When not in use please keep in a<br />
press.” Wooden rackets, being made<br />
of a natural product, tended to warp,<br />
especially when they were exposed to<br />
dampness such as rain during a game<br />
or kept in a moist environment e.g. a<br />
garage or a cellar. But also extreme<br />
heat, like exposing it to direct<br />
sunlight, keeping it under a roof in<br />
the attic, or placing it on the back<br />
shelf of a car could result in warping<br />
of the frame. The tightness of the<br />
strings is the main cause. We can<br />
observe that most old rackets of solid<br />
wood, which were strung at a later<br />
time with synthetic gut like Perlon or<br />
Nylon are warped to some extent. The<br />
synthetic gut must have a special effect<br />
on warping (it does not lose its tension<br />
as fast as natural gut) and this happens<br />
even if the racket was kept in a press.<br />
In the early days presses were in<br />
vogue that could contain 10 or more<br />
rackets. They were constructed as a<br />
piece of furniture or a rack with legs<br />
and long spindles to press all rackets<br />
together as a single unit in one motion.<br />
Such ‚racket racks‘ are nowadays<br />
rarely found and much sought for by<br />
collectors.<br />
For an amateur and someone who<br />
is not familiar with racket collecting,<br />
the wooden presses are a fascinating<br />
item that goes with the racket. They<br />
often exclaim: „I have an old racket<br />
in my possession with a funny, odd<br />
looking wooden frame“.<br />
One could guess that the warping<br />
of the rackets did not occur any more<br />
when laminated frames were<br />
Update<br />
introduced and celebrated as the last<br />
hit in the beginning of the 1930s.<br />
“Laminated frames do not warp as<br />
much”. This was the tenor but far<br />
from true. It soon showed that the<br />
warping problem was not solved and<br />
presses were still necessary.<br />
Many patents for presses of all<br />
kinds have been applied for and<br />
granted. Some of them have been<br />
realized and put into production,<br />
usually at a modest scale. But one<br />
British patent No. 474646 applied for<br />
in 1936 became a worldwide success.<br />
It was assigned to the Dunlop Rubber<br />
Company. Such a press is shown on<br />
one of the following pages. A wild<br />
guess is that at least one million were<br />
made until the end of the wooden<br />
racket era.<br />
Slazenger & Sons, London:<br />
Trapezoid-shaped racket press made<br />
of dark or stained wood.<br />
Circa 1900.<br />
vvvvvvvvvvvvvv<br />
Feltham: Pear-shaped press for up to<br />
four rackets. Logo: Feltham’s Manufacturers,<br />
Barbican, London. Top and<br />
bottom plates made of cherry wood.<br />
Brass screws with trapezoid-shaped<br />
thread. Heavy brass handle.<br />
Circa 1900.<br />
310
Book of Tennis Rackets Racket Presses<br />
Update<br />
Which woods were used?<br />
The most common trapezoid- or<br />
rectangular- shaped presses were<br />
made of mahogany (in the early days),<br />
pine, ash or beech. Beech was the<br />
most favourite one, because it had all<br />
the properties needed for a press. It is<br />
cheap, hard, easy to work with, strong,<br />
and it has a bright light reddish colour.<br />
Presumably Feltham: Racket press for up to six rackets. Top and bottom plates made of cherry wood.<br />
Brass screws with rounded thread. Heavy brass handle. Circa 1900.<br />
Geo G. Bussey & Co. (GGB):<br />
Racket press for up to four rackets. Probably made of ash<br />
wood. Screws with coarse, rounded thread. Solid brass.<br />
Circa1905.<br />
311
Book of Tennis Rackets Racket Presses<br />
Update<br />
Thonet Spezialkatalog c. 1901<br />
Left: Please note the<br />
arrangement of the wooden<br />
press. The wider part is located<br />
at the top of the racket.<br />
The Austrian company Gebrüder<br />
Thonet had a patented racket press<br />
made of cast steel supposedly rigid<br />
and light (!) in weight described in<br />
their catalogue of 1901. It was called<br />
the “Patent Huber Press”. Huber could<br />
have been the name of the inventor.<br />
The German patent, applicant<br />
Gebrüder Thonet, is described and<br />
listed on page 497 in the Book. Huber,<br />
however, was not mentioned in the<br />
patent specifications.<br />
The press consisted of two x-shaped<br />
members the four ends of which were<br />
joined with spring activated clamps<br />
probably integrated at the end in these<br />
members. The detailed construction<br />
is not known. May be one collector is<br />
as fortunate as to find and acquire<br />
such a rare press at one time and is<br />
able to lift this secret.<br />
German patent<br />
No. 1<strong>22</strong> 784<br />
Application filed and patented April<br />
18, 1900<br />
Issued Aug. 5, 1901<br />
Tennisschlägerpresse (press for<br />
rackets)<br />
Abbreviated claim: ...the ends of two<br />
metal crosses can be connected with<br />
resilient clamps...<br />
Applicant: Gebrüder Thonet, Vienna<br />
312
Book of Tennis Rackets Racket Presses<br />
Update<br />
Ayres: Rectangular<br />
racket press ‘The<br />
Maltese’,<br />
F.H. Ayres Ltd.,<br />
London. One hinged<br />
screw. Pat. No. 6292?<br />
Circa 1905.<br />
Slazengers Ltd.: “Demon” rectangular racket press.<br />
Circa 1905.<br />
Circa 1910.<br />
Benetfink: Rectangular racket press with one hinged<br />
brass screw. Made to G.J. Webbers GB Patent No.<br />
6281?<br />
313
Book of Tennis Rackets Racket Presses<br />
Update<br />
Slazengers: Pear-shaped heavy press for up to four rackets. Top and bottom plates made of<br />
cherry or mahogany wood. Brass screws with trapezoid thread. Press is flattened at its top i.e.<br />
freestanding. It can stand upright containing the rackets saving storing space. Circa 1910.<br />
Geo G. Bussey & Co. (GGB):<br />
Rectangular shaped racket press with flip-out screw.<br />
Circa 1910.<br />
A. Steidel, Berlin: Trapezoid-shaped racket<br />
press with brass screws. Circa 1910.<br />
314
Book of Tennis Rackets Racket Presses<br />
Update<br />
Unknown manufacturer:<br />
Rectangular racket press with flip-out screw and<br />
unusual left and right bar extensions. Circa 1920.<br />
Spalding & Bros.: Trapezoid-shaped racket press made<br />
of dark wood. Circa 1925.<br />
Dunlop Sports Co. Ltd.:<br />
“The Compactum” racket press for four rackets.<br />
Rectangular shaped with rounded edges. The top and<br />
bottom plates of the press are probably made of blackish<br />
stained mahogany. The wooden separation sheets are<br />
shaped wedge-like in order to provide for the different<br />
thickness of the racket at its head and at its shoulders.<br />
Screws with a rounded, coarse thread and all the other<br />
fixtures are made of solid brass.<br />
Sold by Sport B.Cerny, Pardubice,<br />
(town in the Czech Republic).<br />
Circa 1925.<br />
315
Book of Tennis Rackets Racket Presses<br />
Update<br />
Unknown manufacturer:<br />
On most wooden racket presses the manufacturer’s<br />
name is not indicated. This particular trapezoid-shaped<br />
press is for two rackets. The way the screws, wing nuts<br />
and washers are made suggests that the press was<br />
made circa 1925.<br />
Wisden: Wisden’s Tenax Press. Made in England. D.R.G.M. 977255(Deutsches Reichsgebrauchsmuster-<br />
German Utility Model).<br />
Imprinted on press: John Wisden & Co. Ltd., London S.W.<br />
Pat. No. 255730 (please amend number on page 469 of the book).<br />
Two bars move parallel towards a rectangular frame by means of a single screw.<br />
GB Patent 255730: “Improvements<br />
in or relating to presses for rackets,<br />
garments and other articles.”<br />
Patented: Jan. 11, 1926<br />
Applicant: Guy Langston Cazalet<br />
Circa 1926<br />
316
Book of Tennis Rackets Racket Presses<br />
Update<br />
Unknown manufacturer:<br />
Trapezoid shaped racket press with<br />
screws of brass. Rounded thread.<br />
Used from circa 1920 to 1930.<br />
Unknown manufacturer:<br />
Foldable X-shaped press with brass screws.<br />
Circa 1930.<br />
Sold by: Sport-Jähnert,<br />
Zeitz, Hospitalstr. 35<br />
(Zeitz is an old town in the south of Saxony-<br />
Anhalt, Germany)<br />
Unknown manufacturer:<br />
Trapezoid-shaped racket<br />
press with steel screws<br />
and wing nuts.<br />
Circa 1930.<br />
317
Book of Tennis Rackets Racket Presses<br />
Update<br />
Unknown<br />
manufacturer:<br />
Wooden cross-shaped<br />
racket press.<br />
Only one tightening<br />
screw of solid brass in<br />
the centre of the press.<br />
Circa 1930.<br />
Unknown manufacturer: Trapezoid-shaped racket<br />
press with two hinged screws at one end.<br />
‘Gesetzlich-Geschützt’ which is incised on the top<br />
member of the press means that there was<br />
granted some kind of patent protection.<br />
Circa 1930.<br />
Unknown manufacturer:<br />
Trapezoid-shaped wooden racket press. All<br />
edges rounded. Circa 1935.<br />
318
Book of Tennis Rackets Racket Presses<br />
Update<br />
Unknown manufacturer: Square-shaped racket press with a hinged steel screw to be<br />
flipped out to open the press. Circa 1935.<br />
Unknown manufacturer: Trapezoid-shaped<br />
racket press with brass screws and grooves as<br />
decoration. Circa. 1935.<br />
Unknown manufacturer: Triangularshaped<br />
press, screws of solid brass.<br />
Circa 1935.<br />
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Book of Tennis Rackets Racket Presses<br />
Update<br />
Unknown manufacturer: Trapezoid-shaped racket press with steel screws. Circa 1935.<br />
GB Patent 642059 “Racket Presses”<br />
Priority date: July 1, 1948<br />
Applicant: Ess & Kay Ltd., A. A. Allen<br />
A. C. Spalding & Bros.: “The National Press”.<br />
Trapezoid-shaped press shown in an open position.<br />
By pushing down the joined levers the press will be<br />
closed.<br />
GB Patent 687912 “Racket Presses”<br />
Priority date: July 1, 1948<br />
Applicant: Ess & Kay Ltd., A. A. Allen<br />
Press shown in a closed position. Circa 1950.<br />
320
Book of Tennis Rackets Racket Presses<br />
Update<br />
Unknown manufacturer:<br />
Sold by Loden Frey, München: Trapezoid-shaped press for one racket. Circa 1955.<br />
Unknown manufacturer:<br />
X-shaped Badminton press. Circa 1950.<br />
Unknown manufacturer: X-shaped racket press with steel screws and wing nuts. Circa 1950.<br />
321
Book of Tennis Rackets Racket Presses<br />
Update<br />
GB Patent 474646 Racket Presses<br />
Application: July 29, 1936<br />
Inventor: Dunlop Rubber Co., Ltd. and G. Vaughan<br />
Dunlop: Trapezoid-shaped Patent press. Just one<br />
lever is pushed down to close the press.<br />
Circa 1960.<br />
Fionia: Dunlop trapezoidshaped<br />
Patent press made<br />
in Denmark.<br />
Circa 1960.<br />
Erbacher, formerly Heinrich Hammer: Trapezoidshaped<br />
press for one racket. Circa 1965.<br />
3<strong>22</strong>
Book of Tennis Rackets Racket Presses<br />
Update<br />
Olympic:<br />
Cross-shaped racket press of cast aluminium. ‘Trade<br />
Olympic Mark’. Circa 1975.<br />
Secura:<br />
Cross-shaped racket press of cast aluminium.<br />
Circa 1975.<br />
These chill-cast, easy to handle aluminium presses<br />
became very popular, when introduced in the 1970s,<br />
widely replacing wooden presses.<br />
Zephyr: Cross-shaped racket press of cast aluminium.<br />
Breveté S.G.D.G., marque deposeé, made in France.<br />
Circa 1975.<br />
323
Book of Tennis Rackets Racket Presses<br />
Update<br />
Slazengers: Trapezoid-shaped press made of a cast magnesium alloy.<br />
“Patents and registered designs granted & pending in Great Britain and other<br />
countries. Made in England”. Four ‘easy snap levers’ to fasten racket.<br />
Circa 1970.<br />
Circa 1970.<br />
This racket press is formed of two identical moulded<br />
plastic halves. It is a combination of a press and a<br />
racket cover.<br />
For many inventors it was an intriguing idea to<br />
combine a press with the cover and/or fixtures or<br />
bags to hold or receive tennis balls.<br />
This example shows one of the many patents,<br />
which have been granted for presses in the course<br />
of time.<br />
Unknown manufacturer: T-shaped racket press of<br />
cast aluminium. Circa 1970.<br />
324
The wild story behind the two Bentley Fortissimos<br />
Sometimes collecting tennis rackets is full of surprises and can even be compared with a criminal story full of<br />
suspense, and this brings us to the story of the „Fortissimos“:<br />
Kurt Klemmer, the sole representative of Snauwaert rackets in Germany in the 1970s, questioned himself as to why<br />
so many players preferred the diagonally strung rackets over the normally strung ones. He concluded that strings<br />
with the same length in such rackets was the reason for this preference. Maybe a normally strung racket with longer<br />
cross-strings and having a larger hitting face could solve his problem. Therefore, Klemmer designed the „Fortissimo“,<br />
the first oversized racket with a standard overall length and weight.<br />
Priory, Snauwaert and Klemmer together created a new brand with the name of „Bentley“ for the higher priced<br />
Snauwaert rackets. They chose that brand name for the „Fortissimo“. Twelve rackets were made and exhibited in<br />
1972 at SPOGA in Cologne, the „International Trade Fair for Sport, Camping, and Garden Lifestyle“. Passing by<br />
their booth, tennis players and sporting goods dealers laughed. One dealer said: „No serious player will ever use<br />
such a funny looking racket and no one will ever buy it.“<br />
Klemmer‘s idea was short lived and it apparently had no future.<br />
That was two years before Howard Head applied for a patent for his oversized racket in the USA, which was later<br />
made and marketed by the Prince Company. That oversized racket was accordingly called the „Prince-Racket“ for<br />
many years.<br />
Prince, on behalf of Howard Head, also applied for a patent in Germany. The Kuebler Company, which made an<br />
oversize racket, thus violating the German patent application of Prince who subsequently sued the Kuebler<br />
Company. However, Kuebler was able to physically present to the court both rackets shown on the cover of this<br />
Update and call witnesses who had seen both these rackets exhibited at SPOGA. The Patent Office then decided<br />
that the patent of Howard Head could not be registered in Germany owing to the design rights already applied to the<br />
„Fortissimo“.<br />
The Patent Office asked to keep these two rackets for further studies and evaluation for a few weeks. When I<br />
phoned the Office a month later, the two rackets had disappeared. No one knew were they had gone. A mysterious<br />
case indeed!<br />
The Prince patent already registered in the United States was at stake. How would the examiner of the American<br />
Patent Office react, when these two rackets were presented?<br />
Much later, at the end of 1993, I already had forgotten this occurrence when a parcel was delivered to my house<br />
from Kurt Klemmer. „I want to give you a present,“ he wrote.<br />
„This is one of the two Fortissimos that I received in a parcel from New York a few days ago. A phony sender<br />
address was given. Apparently, the racket was shut away in a vault.“ I knew that the Prince patent had run out as a<br />
patent lasts only 20 years before it expires.<br />
A few years later, the second Fortissimo arrived. It had also been kept in a vault, but this time in Amsterdam! How<br />
325