Harry C Lee Traveler?

[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...

 

[Hannah19]

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]

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

 

[Mike_G]

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]

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?

 

[struggle]

wow.

Althea.

 

[retrowagen]

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...

 

[jerrym]

Althea Gibson's racket

Hi,
I am a french tennis coach and I am writing a book about the winners of the french Open do you know the name of the model of the racket used by Althea Gibson during the french Open in 1956? Many Thanks. JCM

 

[Wlee]

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.

Hi Mike,
I would like to learn more about the Harry C Lee Co and it sounds like you know much more than me. Could you share some more info?
Thanks,
William Lee

 

[Mike_G]

Hi Mike,
I would like to learn more about the Harry C Lee Co and it sounds like you know much more than me. Could you share some more info?
Thanks,
William Lee

Hi William
I will try to answer questions you may have about Harry C Lee Co. I have some photos, vintage ad's and catalogs. I also have several Lee racquets including one or two used by Althea Gibson.

I worked summers and school breaks at Lee during the mid 50's thru 1962 and as I mentioned in earlier posts, my dad started there before the depression and was with them till they were sold and the Lee brand gradually faded away. (mid 70's)

I see you share the "Lee" name. Is there a chance there is a family connection? If so, I probably can provide some details in that regard.

Mike G

 

[Fred Levin]

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?

Hi William
I will try to answer questions you may have about Harry C Lee Co. I have some photos, vintage ad's and catalogs. I also have several Lee racquets including one or two used by Althea Gibson.

I worked summers and school breaks at Lee during the mid 50's thru 1962 and as I mentioned in earlier posts, my dad started there before the depression and was with them till they were sold and the Lee brand gradually faded away. (mid 70's)

I see you share the "Lee" name. Is there a chance there is a family connection? If so, I probably can provide some details in that regard.

Mike G

I used the Dreadnaught Driver in the 60’s in competition. I would travel to New York every so often and meet with who was probably the president of the company who was maybe your dad. He would give me a couple rackets and encourage me. I can’t remember his name but I think I would recognize it.

 

[Fred Levin]

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.

Was your father’s name Tom?

 

[chrisb]

Flashback time On long island growing up in the 50s I remember guys using the Harry Lee rackets as well as a Bancroft and Davis rackets. Most strung their frames with victor Imperial gut with one backup strung with nylon for damp weather

 

[Fred Levin]

Flashback time On long island growing up in the 50s I remember guys using the Harry Lee rackets as well as a Bancroft and Davis rackets. Most strung their frames with victor Imperial gut with one backup strung with nylon for damp weather

Remember trim. You would call rough or smooth on the racquet spin for serve.

 

[graycrait]

Remember trim. You would call rough or smooth on the racquet spin for serve.

One of my pals from the 60s early 70s visited me this past winter. Before we hit he told me he told me one of his favorite phrases from those days before I wildly spun the racket was, "Rough or smooth Jason, rough or smooth?"

 

[Fred Levin]

One of my pals from the 60s early 70s visited me this past winter. Before we hit he told me he told me one of his favorite phrases before I wildly spun the racket was, "Rough or smooth Jason, rough or smooth?"

There were no logos on the butt of the racquet in those days.

 

[chrisb]

Yea I used red or green when I strung another flashback rough or smooth was exactly what happened. You won you had 3 choices serve side or what I did in double was make the other team choose first

 

[ZannaS]

Does anyone remember the Harry C Lee "Collegiate"? I can't seem to find any information on it at all. Picked it up at a thrift store.

 

[Mike_G]

Was your father’s name Tom?

Yes Fred... my fathers name was Tom. Did you know him?

 

[pro10s]

I found this old thread and hoping some people are still around. I collect Garcia frames and it seems that some of the names from Harry C Lee carried over to Cragin and on to Garcia noteable the dreadnought driver and the bat . Was there a merger or buy out ?

 

[tennis tom]

"DREADNAUGHT DRIVER"--now that's a name for a racquet! That name should be brought back by a modern company like Prince, I would buy one in a second. It would be fun to have a wood one for woodies & whites tournaments.

 

[tennis tom]

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...

BTW, you may be able to remove the names, there are permanent marker remover products that work well and hopefully would not harm the racket surface under it. GOOF OFF makes an "Ink & Marker Remover Gel"

 

[Bobbyd223]

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.

I was a hitting partner for Althea Gibson and also sponsored by Harry C. Lee company. I still have my racquets and I'm looking for stringing pattern instructions. Help!

 

[pro10s]

Hi William
I will try to answer questions you may have about Harry C Lee Co. I have some photos, vintage ad's and catalogs. I also have several Lee racquets including one or two used by Althea Gibson.

I worked summers and school breaks at Lee during the mid 50's thru 1962 and as I mentioned in earlier posts, my dad started there before the depression and was with them till they were sold and the Lee brand gradually faded away. (mid 70's)

I see you share the "Lee" name. Is there a chance there is a family connection? If so, I probably can provide some details in that regard.

Mike G

Since moving to NYC to run Sportime John
McEnroe Academy I have been gradually adding to my Harry C Lee collection now in my office at Randall's Island. If you are ever in a position to share any of your items or just connect to veiw some they would find a good home with me in NYC. There is a lot of interest in the brand and it history from staff and members. Thanks

 

[pro10s]

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.

Mike G .. do you know what the connection with Harry C Lee and Garcia is. I know Cragin partnered with Garcia but also both the Dreadnought Driver and Bat model names and logos became Garcia frames so I am assuming at some point that Lee became part of Garcia. Is this the case?