My Dad's collection: A half-century in 19 woodies

docrpm

docrpm

New User
I kicked off sharing what remains of my Dad's collection by posting the metal racquets I have. I really enjoyed the discussion and all of the insights people brought forward. Now it's time for the woodies!

I'll start with what seems to be the oldest racquet in my possession: a Wright & Ditson "Special" from the 1890s. After extensive back and forth with @Henry Hub , we seem to both think that it's a Sears Special, since it shares many characteristics with those racquets. It's still a bit puzzling that it's got what appears to be a flat head, though that might be due to warping. Any additional thoughts are welcome!

https://imgur.com/a/JFUN46f
 
docrpm

docrpm

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Next up is a Spalding "Greenwood," which seems to be from about 1905. It's a racquet cut very much from the mold of the Wright & Ditson above: all wood, textured grip, convex wedge, similar woodwork at the throat. It's great that the butt cap on this one is in very good condition, which reveals the Spalding stamp and what appears to be the date.

https://imgur.com/a/BA0OLLk
 
docrpm

docrpm

New User
Here's another beautiful Wright & Ditson from Dad's collection: the "All American." I think this one hails from the 1920s. It's a beautiful design, with an elegant open throat that clearly shows off the layering / lamination.

https://imgur.com/a/j4zYNeh

Have I got the date right for this one @Henry Hub ?

More racquets tomorrow! Hope you're enjoying these so far.
 
Henry Hub

Henry Hub

Professional
docrpm said:
Next up is a Spalding "Greenwood," which seems to be from about 1905. It's a racquet cut very much from the mold of the Wright & Ditson above: all wood, textured grip, convex wedge, similar woodwork at the throat. It's great that the butt cap on this one is in very good condition, which reveals the Spalding stamp and what appears to be the date.

https://imgur.com/a/BA0OLLk
Click to expand...
Hi there, just narrowing this down via the catalogues (gorgeous racket by the way- spotless!). Could you check the top of the wedge, where the strings enter? Are there 2 thin lighter laminated strips embedded across the wedge? If you have Jeanne’s book, there is a photo of this laminated wedge design that was patented by Spalding in 1905. Its inclusion or omission on Spalding, W&D and other rackets is a helpful reference point when it comes to dating frames.

Also, what is the stringing pattern? 18 mains I think? How many crosses?
 
docrpm

docrpm

New User
Henry Hub said:
Hi there, just narrowing this down via the catalogues (gorgeous racket by the way- spotless!). Could you check the top of the wedge, where the strings enter? Are there 2 thin lighter laminated strips embedded across the wedge? If you have Jeanne’s book, there is a photo of this laminated wedge design that was patented by Spalding in 1905. Its inclusion or omission on Spalding, W&D and other rackets is a helpful reference point when it comes to dating frames.

Also, what is the stringing pattern? 18 mains I think? How many crosses?
Click to expand...
Hi @Henry Hub ... Thanks! It is a pretty good looking racquet for its advanced age.

I took a look, and it has an 18x22 string pattern, and the strings appear to be original. It also does possess the two laminated wedges of which you speak (see below):


uGp9pKl.jpeg
 
docrpm

docrpm

New User
This racquet is one of my favorites: the Wilson "Southern Cross" from the "Famous Player Series." This variant has a small picture of Frank Sedgman, a pro from the 1950s, along with his signature. The throat has a diamond cross-section, the only one in my collection of 41 racquets. It's in terrific condition, too.

https://imgur.com/a/pSYByFH
 
docrpm

docrpm

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The Spalding "Mercer Beasley" is another near-perfect racquet. Aside from some scuff marks along the top of the head, and a less-than-perfect butt cap, it's in great condition. In my research, I couldn't find too much information about this one...From the 1950s? Maybe it's rare or doesn't show up on fleabay very often.

https://imgur.com/a/SGkV7Ap
 
docrpm

docrpm

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The Cortland "VICTOR" is a pretty low-key racquet. Other than a tiny brand label and the name on the throat, there isn't much else. Minimal design, but clean. I couldn't find much information about it, other than that it might be from the 1960s.

https://imgur.com/a/sImwJAP
 
docrpm

docrpm

New User
Next up is a complete mystery...I don't even know what brand this racquet is! It appears to be of Italian origin, and has a quite unusual feature within my collection – it's double-strung in the sweet spot of the racquet. I'd never seen this before. It has a lot of other little design embellishments; a bit busy for my taste, but still an interesting example from whatever era it's from (I'm guessing 1950s-1960s, based on the design).

Anybody have any more insight into this racquet?

https://imgur.com/a/M6fLx0F
 
docrpm

docrpm

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This racquet is really interesting – the Kawasaki "Number One." I wasn't able to locate any information about it. There are a lot of design elements on the throat (e.g., "For Championship Play," and "Designed for Champions and Ranking Players"). Maybe some aspirational branding? One very interesting thing about this one is the head shape: an asymmetric teardrop, larger at the top of the frame, tapering down to the throat. It's also quite light, as the sticker on the grip advertises.

https://imgur.com/a/g4rjjmH
 
docrpm

docrpm

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My Dunlop "Maxply Fort" is also unstrung and in very good condition. I seem to remember seeing a lot of racquets like this when I was a kid on the courts in the 1970s. From what I can discern, this was the racquet used by John McEnroe back in the day, maybe even as late as the 1980s. Possibly quite valuable / collectible?

Can anyone fill in some historical background on this one?

https://imgur.com/a/Xon6cmB
 
docrpm

docrpm

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The Wilson "ADVANTAGE" is one of the few black racquets I have in my collection. This one is in pristine condition as well. Dad took great care in finding the best racquets he could. In any case, I don't have too much information on this one, though from the design it looks like it might have been around in the 1970s-1980s?

https://imgur.com/a/K74bYCK
 
docrpm

docrpm

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I'm probably cheating by posting this one in with the woodies, since technically it's a composite. I'll cross-post in that thread once I get it going.

This racquet is interesting for a whole host of reasons:
  • Material: Wood-Boron-Fiberglass composite
  • Head shape: Another asymmetric teardrop, large at the top, tapering down to the throat
  • Design: Open-throat, but kind of unusual due to the head shape
  • Wedge: Plastic (as far as I can tell)
  • Old-school Prince vibration damper that someone left on the racquet!
I couldn't dig up too much information about this one...Is it a rare specimen?

https://imgur.com/a/40A9qm3
 
B

Bagumbawalla

G.O.A.T.
docrpm said:
Here's another beautiful Wright & Ditson from Dad's collection: the "All American." I think this one hails from the 1920s. It's a beautiful design, with an elegant open throat that clearly shows off the layering / lamination.

https://imgur.com/a/j4zYNeh

Have I got the date right for this one @Henry Hub ?

More racquets tomorrow! Hope you're enjoying these so far.
Click to expand...
I have one of these I picked up at a thrift store. I had no idea it was so old- would have guessed the fifties.
A great looking racket.
 
docrpm

docrpm

New User
This one definitely falls under the "What were they thinking?" header, right along with the Dunlop Mono shaft that I posted in my thread about metal racquets. It also probably belongs in a thread about composites, though this isn't quite composite in the traditional sense.

A wooden head with a twin-shaft metal throat...Maybe like the Dunlop twin-shaft? An oddity to be sure.

https://imgur.com/a/c5VIiRq
 
Grafil Injection

Grafil Injection

Hall of Fame
They all look very good condition so a specialist auction could be a good way to attract the connoisseurs, but as we said, many of them will be here too. An important point for the later ones that may be useable is to mention whether they are warped.

The Kawasaki is nice because it comes in the same colour as their racing motorbikes, whereas, some other versions have more wood shown.

The Maxply Fort having the uneven spaced banding and goldline grip is from the mid to late 60s. They were produced from 1931 until 1983 in broadly the same specs. Not hugely valuable because millions were made, but still easy to sell in that condition.
 
Last edited:
vsbabolat

vsbabolat

G.O.A.T.
docrpm said:
The Cortland "VICTOR" is a pretty low-key racquet. Other than a tiny brand label and the name on the throat, there isn't much else. Minimal design, but clean. I couldn't find much information about it, other than that it might be from the 1960s.

https://imgur.com/a/sImwJAP
Click to expand...
That’s older than the 1960’s. Cortland was the oem that made Wilson racquets I do believe from Cortland, NY
 
vsbabolat

vsbabolat

G.O.A.T.
docrpm said:
Next up is a complete mystery...I don't even know what brand this racquet is! It appears to be of Italian origin, and has a quite unusual feature within my collection – it's double-strung in the sweet spot of the racquet. I'd never seen this before. It has a lot of other little design embellishments; a bit busy for my taste, but still an interesting example from whatever era it's from (I'm guessing 1950s-1960s, based on the design).

Anybody have any more insight into this racquet?

https://imgur.com/a/M6fLx0F
Click to expand...
That’s an Italian racket form the late 1970’s early 80’s with spaghetti stringing.
 
Henry Hub

Henry Hub

Professional
docrpm said:
Next up is a complete mystery...I don't even know what brand this racquet is! It appears to be of Italian origin, and has a quite unusual feature within my collection – it's double-strung in the sweet spot of the racquet. I'd never seen this before. It has a lot of other little design embellishments; a bit busy for my taste, but still an interesting example from whatever era it's from (I'm guessing 1950s-1960s, based on the design).

Anybody have any more insight into this racquet?

https://imgur.com/a/M6fLx0F
Click to expand...
Spaghetti strung!!!! Fabulous stuff!
 
vsbabolat

vsbabolat

G.O.A.T.
docrpm said:
My Dunlop "Maxply Fort" is also unstrung and in very good condition. I seem to remember seeing a lot of racquets like this when I was a kid on the courts in the 1970s. From what I can discern, this was the racquet used by John McEnroe back in the day, maybe even as late as the 1980s. Possibly quite valuable / collectible?

Can anyone fill in some historical background on this one?

https://imgur.com/a/Xon6cmB
Click to expand...
This one looks like it’s from the late 60’s early 70’s. McEnroe used a Maxply Fort to win the 1981 Wimbledon and US Open. Also the Maxply Fort was used by Rod Laver, Lew Hoad, and may other players. It was one of the most popular wood rackets of the wood era.
 
Henry Hub

Henry Hub

Professional
Grafil Injection said:
They all look very good condition so a specialist auction could be a good way to attract the connoisseurs, but as we said, many of them will be here too. An important point for the later ones that may be useable is to mention whether they are warped.

The Kawasaki is nice because it comes in the same colour as their racing motorbikes, whereas, some other versions have more wood shown.

The Maxply Fort having the uneven spaced banding and goldline grip is from the mid to late 60s. They were produced from 1931 until 1983 in broadly the same specs. Not hugely valuable because millions were made, but still easy to sell in that condition.
Click to expand...
Wot he sed, though I bow out of precise dating of Maxplys after late 1930s…
 
vsbabolat

vsbabolat

G.O.A.T.
docrpm said:
This racquet is really interesting – the Kawasaki "Number One." I wasn't able to locate any information about it. There are a lot of design elements on the throat (e.g., "For Championship Play," and "Designed for Champions and Ranking Players"). Maybe some aspirational branding? One very interesting thing about this one is the head shape: an asymmetric teardrop, larger at the top of the frame, tapering down to the throat. It's also quite light, as the sticker on the grip advertises.

https://imgur.com/a/g4rjjmH
Click to expand...
Looks like a soft tennis racket.
 
Henry Hub

Henry Hub

Professional
docrpm said:
Hi @Henry Hub ... Thanks! It is a pretty good looking racquet for its advanced age.

I took a look, and it has an 18x22 string pattern, and the strings appear to be original. It also does possess the two laminated wedges of which you speak (see below):


uGp9pKl.jpeg
Click to expand...
Sticking my neck out to giraffe-like lengths, your racket is either a 1906 or 1907 model.

It has to be after 1905. The laminated strips were patented by Spalding in the US in 1905 (in the UK in 1904).

From 1908, the racket had a 16*23 stringing pattern (according to Spalding catalogues). In 1906, it was 18*24. As usual, never 100% trust the draftsman- however, I trust them on mains more than crosses. Are any crosses missed out, particularly at the top of the hoop?

The reason I am less sure about 1907 is that it’s one of the years I don’t have a catalogue for.

https://imgur.com/a/zDAQWys

In 1906, the range was:
  • No.2 - Favorite ($1)
  • No. 3 - Geneva ($1.50)
  • No.4 - Greenwood ($2)
  • No.5 - Lakeside ($3)
  • No.6 - Vantage ($3.50)
  • No.8 - Slocum ($3.50)
  • No.11 - Tournament ($4)
  • Models GX & DH (the latter a Slazenger Doherty facsimile) ($5)
  • Spalding Gold Medal racket (mahogany handle) ($8)
 
Grafil Injection

Grafil Injection

Hall of Fame
Henry Hub said:
Wot he sed, though I bow out of precise dating of Maxplys after late 1930s…
Click to expand...
The Dunlop Flying D logo came out in 1961, and here is the 1963 catalogue that shows the uneven banding and gold line grip, which is similar to the OPs version. Later models had even banding and Dunlop labelled grips, but I'm not sure which specific year they changed.

Dunlop-Max-Ply-advert.jpg
 
docrpm

docrpm

New User
Henry Hub said:
Sticking my neck out to giraffe-like lengths, your racket is either a 1906 or 1907 model.

It has to be after 1905. The laminated strips were patented by Spalding in the US in 1905 (in the UK in 1904).

From 1908, the racket had a 16*23 stringing pattern (according to Spalding catalogues). In 1906, it was 18*24. As usual, never 100% trust the draftsman- however, I trust them on mains more than crosses. Are any crosses missed out, particularly at the top of the hoop?

The reason I am less sure about 1907 is that it’s one of the years I don’t have a catalogue for.

https://imgur.com/a/zDAQWys

In 1906, the range was:
  • No.2 - Favorite ($1)
  • No. 3 - Geneva ($1.50)
  • No.4 - Greenwood ($2)
  • No.5 - Lakeside ($3)
  • No.6 - Vantage ($3.50)
  • No.8 - Slocum ($3.50)
  • No.11 - Tournament ($4)
  • Models GX & DH (the latter a Slazenger Doherty facsimile) ($5)
  • Spalding Gold Medal racket (mahogany handle) ($8)
Click to expand...
Great stuff as always @Henry Hub !! I think I’m gonna go with 1906.
 
docrpm

docrpm

New User
The last of my Wilson racquets: a "Golden State" (year unknown). Another very minimalist racquet. It difficult to find anything online that matches the one that I have – wood from top to bottom, but no wedge at the throat, which makes it seem like a more modern racquet. The research I did only turned up stuff that was really old (with "Golden State" written vertically) or stuff that looked quite a bit newer.

Any thoughts on this one @Grafil Injection or @Sanglier ?

https://imgur.com/a/X5T4dt1
 
docrpm

docrpm

New User
And finally, I'll wrap up the woody collection with a Bancroft "Players Special." This one is in great condition, but I don't have any other details. Oddly enough, when I went looking for a little more information about this racquet (e.g., year), it turns out that Jeanne Cherry's racquet of this vintage is currently for sale on fleabay!!

https://imgur.com/a/tv0Nz9C
 
J

JW10S

Hall of Fame
docrpm said:
And finally, I'll wrap up the woody collection with a Bancroft "Players Special." This one is in great condition, but I don't have any other details. Oddly enough, when I went looking for a little more information about this racquet (e.g., year), it turns out that Jeanne Cherry's racquet of this vintage is currently for sale on fleabay!!

https://imgur.com/a/tv0Nz9C
Click to expand...
That racquet looks to be in great shape. The Players Special was unique in that it had bamboo laminations.
 
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