Harry C Lee Traveler?

Avles · 01-12-2013, 07:19 PM

Found a Harry C. Lee "Traveler" at the thrift store the other day-- anyone have any info on the company or the racquet? I couldn't find much online, just an ad for a similar (but not quite identical) racquet from the 1930s. The art-deco font that "Traveler" is written in makes me think this might be from around then as well.

Unfortunately someone decided to write her name in permanent marker on both sides of the throat. It's still a pretty snazzy-looking old racquet though...

Hannah19 · 01-13-2013, 06:01 AM

Harry C Lee was a sporting goods store in New York with it's own line of tennis rackets.
Until 1930 all rackets had a slot in the shaft near the handle, like the Snauwaert Caravelle used to have.
The Traveler is not mentioned in any catalog so you maybe on to something. If it's not slotted, it's from after 1930.
The latest model known is from 1955.

Avles · 01-18-2013, 07:31 AM

Thanks Hannah19! No sign of a slotted shaft, so it must be one of the later ones.

Mike_G · 03-19-2013, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Avles

Found a Harry C. Lee "Traveler" at the thrift store the other day-- anyone have any info on the company or the racquet? I couldn't find much online, just an ad for a similar (but not quite identical) racquet from the 1930s. The art-deco font that "Traveler" is written in makes me think this might be from around then as well.

Unfortunately someone decided to write her name in permanent marker on both sides of the throat. It's still a pretty snazzy-looking old racquet though...

I can help you with some background information about the Harry C. Lee Company. (Tennis and Golf) My father worked for them for 50 years and ran the company in later years ( although not an owner). The “Traveler” was one of several of their models which I am guessing was introduced and named by my father in the 1950’s Their top models were the “Dreadnaught Driver “ and the “BAT”.
They had a retail store and factory at 10 Warren St in NYC and occupied several floors in the building. The building was an icon in the area in that it had a 8-10 ft Tennis Racquet that hung above the entrance to the store. The Harry C Lee brand was associated with several top players in the early 1900’s and then again in the mid to late ‘50’.s My dad and HC Lee company supported and sponsored Althea Gibson from her early days playing in NYC parks up through and including her US National and Wimbledon championships. When Ms Gibson turned pro , a she endorsed a Harry C Lee racquet which carried her name. Her auto-biography mentions Harry C Lee company and my dad. I still have many of the HC Lee racquets including several used by Ms Gibson.

jimbo333 · 03-19-2013, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike_G

I can help you with some background information about the Harry C. Lee Company. (Tennis and Golf) My father worked for them for 50 years and ran the company in later years ( although not an owner). The “Traveler” was one of several of their models which I am guessing was introduced and named by my father in the 1950’s Their top models were the “Dreadnaught Driver “ and the “BAT”.
They had a retail store and factory at 10 Warren St in NYC and occupied several floors in the building. The building was an icon in the area in that it had a 8-10 ft Tennis Racquet that hung above the entrance to the store. The Harry C Lee brand was associated with several top players in the early 1900’s and then again in the mid to late ‘50’.s My dad and HC Lee company supported and sponsored Althea Gibson from her early days playing in NYC parks up through and including her US National and Wimbledon championships. When Ms Gibson turned pro , a she endorsed a Harry C Lee racquet which carried her name. Her auto-biography mentions Harry C Lee company and my dad. I still have many of the HC Lee racquets including several used by Ms Gibson.

Welcome to "Classic Racquet Talk" Mike, what a great first post!

It would be great to see some photos of your HC Lee racquets, especially some of Althea Gibson's, if you get the chance at some point please?

tbuggle · 03-19-2013, 10:53 AM

wow.

Althea.

retrowagen · 03-19-2013, 11:43 AM

Wow, Mike - Welcome, and thank you for that background information. So cool to have you here as a resource. If that building could tell stories...

01-12-2013, 07:19 PM	#1
Avles Semi-Pro Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: The Peak of Good Living Posts: 716	Harry C Lee Traveler? Found a Harry C. Lee "Traveler" at the thrift store the other day-- anyone have any info on the company or the racquet? I couldn't find much online, just an ad for a similar (but not quite identical) racquet from the 1930s. The art-deco font that "Traveler" is written in makes me think this might be from around then as well. Unfortunately someone decided to write her name in permanent marker on both sides of the throat. It's still a pretty snazzy-looking old racquet though...

01-13-2013, 06:01 AM	#2
Hannah19 Professional Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: the Netherlands Posts: 875	Harry C Lee was a sporting goods store in New York with it's own line of tennis rackets. Until 1930 all rackets had a slot in the shaft near the handle, like the Snauwaert Caravelle used to have. The Traveler is not mentioned in any catalog so you maybe on to something. If it's not slotted, it's from after 1930. The latest model known is from 1955. __________________ 2x MAX 200G PRO, Nat.Gut/Ferry Force Super Touch at 58 lbs.

03-19-2013, 10:53 AM	#6
tbuggle Hall Of Fame Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 1,932	wow. Althea. __________________ I got some rackets, and I got a stringer.

03-19-2013, 11:43 AM	#7
retrowagen Hall Of Fame Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 1,508	Wow, Mike - Welcome, and thank you for that background information. So cool to have you here as a resource. If that building could tell stories... __________________ Psalm 100:4

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