Wilson Jack Kramer "Imperial"?

AtTheNet

New User
Hello,

New to the forum, and have a question. Having read many posts here about wood racquets, I decided it would be fun to buy one and hit with it from time to time (my old wooden racquets were long ago consigned to the trash).

I had the opportunity to purchase a racquet in truly excellent condition, but it is a model that I am not very familiar with. It is a Wilson Jack Kramer Imperial model. I am well familiar with the Jack Kramer Autograph, but have not seen the Imperial before.

If anyone on the forum has knowledge of this racquet model and can enlighten me, I would greatly appreciate any information regarding it's position in Wilson's lineup, and how it compares to the Autograph.

As mentioned, the racquet is in superb condition--looks like it has never been used. Strung weight is 13.4 ounces, so not a lightweight. The strings have turned to mush, but that is no big deal. I am looking forward to having it restrung (most likely with Wilson Natural Gut) and using it when the weather warms up.

Thanks in advance, I appreciate your input.
 

Hannah19

Professional
Wilson made many rackets with the Jack Kramer name attached to it.
Many were fine quality rackets but a few were made for big department stores. Does the racket have a stamp inside the hoop saying Belgium or Made in Belgium?
If so, than it's made by Donnay and likely to be of lesser quality. Original strings can also tell you what overall quality the racket is, if it's white with black, red or blue spiral it's not the best frame I'm afraid.
 

joe sch

Legend
Wilson made many rackets with the Jack Kramer name attached to it.
Many were fine quality rackets but a few were made for big department stores. Does the racket have a stamp inside the hoop saying Belgium or Made in Belgium?
If so, than it's made by Donnay and likely to be of lesser quality. Original strings can also tell you what overall quality the racket is, if it's white with black, red or blue spiral it's not the best frame I'm afraid.

Very correct for the Wilson JK imperial rackets that I remember that had the face photo decal of Jack on them. They were not the player quality rackets and came with the inexpensive sun gut strings. I would recommend getting a JK autograph or pro staff wood racket in good condition if your going to have it strung with natural gut.
 

AtTheNet

New User
This racquet does have a Made In Belgium stamp in the hoop, and the strings are white with a fine black spiral. Sounds like it is not a player-level racquet--at least I didn't spend much money on it.

Will keep my eyes open for an Autograph or Prostaff.

Thanks for the input from both of you.
 

Hannah19

Professional
This racquet does have a Made In Belgium stamp in the hoop, and the strings are white with a fine black spiral. Sounds like it is not a player-level racquet--at least I didn't spend much money on it.

Will keep my eyes open for an Autograph or Prostaff.

Thanks for the input from both of you.

You're welcome......always a pleasure to inform and advise a novice :)
Don't let the quality put you off, they can still be pretty rackets to look at or play with.
You said it's in very good condition, restring it with a solid multifilament at 48-52 lbs and take it out for a spin.
These Donnay made Wilson's may not be the best but the Belgiums did know how to produce wooden rackets and even the cheaper ones are fun to play with.
 
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