Babolat first generation

[Hotrocks]

Originally Posted by vsbabolat

ericsson, have you ever seen one of these?


This is the very first Babolat racquet I ever saw back in 1989. It was for testing cordage....

To a collector....what would you value this Rare racquet at? Thanks..........

[vsbabolat]

Originally Posted by Hotrocks

To a collector....what would you value this Rare racquet at? Thanks..........

I would say it's up there with the Chicago, St. Vincent and Belgian Pro Staff. But more rare because there were not many that were made.

[Hotrocks]

Originally Posted by vsbabolat

I would say it's up there with the Chicago, St. Vincent and Belgian Pro Staff. But more rare because there were not many that were made.

Thanks VS! I just picked one up on the big auction site for $66.00. The gentleman I purchsed it from said he found it in a old sporting goods store and they were happy to get rid of it for $30.00, unbelieveable. I have the all black VS test cordage racquet, that Ericsson posted for me a few months ago. I just ran across another, will add to collection. Will post some photo's when I receive. Need to figure out how to post pictures. THanks again.......

[gunnd5000]

Originally Posted by Hotrocks

Thanks VS! I just picked one up on the big auction site for $66.00. The gentleman I purchsed it from said he found it in a old sporting goods store and they were happy to get rid of it for $30.00, unbelieveable. I have the all black VS test cordage racquet, that Ericsson posted for me a few months ago. I just ran across another, will add to collection. Will post some photo's when I receive. Need to figure out how to post pictures. THanks again.......

some people have all the luck

[tandayu]

Originally Posted by gunnd5000

some people have all the luck

If you consistently watch the big auction site, you will be very lucky at least once in your life or more.

That Babolat was there on the auction site for eveybody to see.

[Hotrocks]

Originally Posted by tandayu

If you consistently watch the big auction site, you will be very lucky at least once in your life or more.

That Babolat was there on the auction site for eveybody to see.

Your absolutely right! Was there for a week and Sold for $66.00??? What does that tell you....??? I visit this board often and there are many with conciderable knowledge, Ericsson & VS Babolat to mention a few, that I have learned from. I believe most that visit the big site are uneducated when it comes to the rarer items. Plus look how many continue to buy FAKE Babolat's. In the same week another showed up for buy it now($119.00). another great price for a rare racquet. Two in one week, could not believe it! PS- Would like to post a few photo's, but still having some difficulty.

[gunnd5000]

Originally Posted by Hotrocks

Your absolutely right! Was there for a week and Sold for $66.00??? What does that tell you....??? I visit this board often and there are many with conciderable knowledge, Ericsson & VS Babolat to mention a few, that I have learned from. I believe most that visit the big site are uneducated when it comes to the rarer items. Plus look how many continue to buy FAKE Babolat's. In the same week another showed up for buy it now($119.00). another great price for a rare racquet. Two in one week, could not believe it! PS- Would like to post a few photo's, but still having some difficulty.

Here in the UK there isnt quite as much stuff on the bay and the shipping costs can be expensive on shipping a racket from somewhere like the US.

[pug]

Originally Posted by ericsson

More to follow...

Any chance there are more great pics?

[ericsson]

Originally Posted by pug

Any chance there are more great pics?

Hi, yes as soon i have more time, more pics will follow.
I will post a pic of the oldest pure drive i have which has different specs then the ones posted here...very rare racket.

[Dave M]

Originally Posted by ericsson

Hi, yes as soon i have more time, more pics will follow.
I will post a pic of the oldest pure drive i have which has different specs then the ones posted here...very rare racket.

Is this an extra special early one that I could of seen promo photo's of but for example there were not many avalliable to the public?

[ericsson]

Originally Posted by Dave M

Is this an extra special early one that I could of seen promo photo's of but for example there were not many avalliable to the public?

Hi Dave,
I don't know if it was available to the public (i have never seen this version btw), maybe Richard will know but it must be a very early one, it also says "double line" whereas the ones i have and seen dont mention double line. The early catalogue (1996) i had were not double line versions so i assume double line versions are older (pre-catalogue)

I now have a double line Pure Drive and a double line Soft Drive with the same original double line cover.

ps: this DL pure drive is 20grams lighter then the normal one, very surprising!

[mctennis]

Originally Posted by ericsson

The last weeks and months i've received quite some mails about the the first Babolats, well here it is.
I know many of you don't think they are classics, well i do and that's why i want it to post here.
I will start with the first "Pure" series developed between 1994 and 1996.
These first generation Babolat rackets were made in Taiwan, Thailand and China.

Babolat Pure Drive
Babolat Pure Control
Babolat Pure Power

I had the Pure Drive and Pure Control when they came out. To me they were hard on the wrist. I sold them both. Wish I would have kept them now.

[ericsson]

Hi guys, i now have the whole first generation Pure and Soft versions with the early Pure Power (double line)
will post pics as soon as possible...

Grtz

[Automatix]

Congrats Ericsson!

[gunnd5000]

Originally Posted by ericsson

Hi guys, i now have the whole first generation Pure and Soft versions with the early Pure Power (double line)
will post pics as soon as possible...

Grtz

nice I am rather jealous

[Automatix]

Originally Posted by gunnd5000

nice I am rather jealous

Yeah, ericssons Bab collection is impressive.

I sold most of my Babs and am currently unloading a 1st Generation Soft Drive at the bay.

[gunnd5000]

Originally Posted by Automatix

Yeah, ericssons Bab collection is impressive.

I sold most of my Babs and am currently unloading a 1st Generation Soft Drive at the bay.

the one thats new, grip size 2 and rather expensive?

Yes his collection is rather nice still waiting on this photo though

[Automatix]

Originally Posted by gunnd5000

the one thats new, grip size 2 and rather expensive?

Yep. I don't think it's expensive, that's like 30USDs more than a current racquet and let's face it, a new 1st gen. one with plastic on the handle with original cover etc. is rare

I've sold similiar frames for much more.

I'm also unloading 2 Vliegen frames (200USDs/frame), but first I'll try to sell it locally. I stay of the bay and prefer to use add sections but TW doesn't allow pro frames.

[gunnd5000]

Originally Posted by Automatix

Yep. I don't think it's expensive, that's like 30USDs more than a current racquet and let's face it, a new 1st gen. one with plastic on the handle with original cover etc. is rare

I've sold similiar frames for much more.

I'm also unloading 2 Vliegen frames (200USDs/frame), but first I'll try to sell it locally. I stay of the bay and prefer to use add sections but TW doesn't allow pro frames.

rather expensive for myself but in prestine condition for a rare frame like that I could see how someone might justify the purchase

[niktub]

Can you post pictures?