Details
A late 1870's lawn tennis set in original oak box measuring 106 x 38cm. (3½ft. x 1ft.3in.), the lid with wood-engraved manufacturer's label, headed Tennis and depicting a mixed doubles game, printed by F. Waller, 18 Hatton Garden, 375 x 250mm. (15 x 10in.).
The box contains two early lawn tennis rackets and two racquets rackets. The two lawn tennis rackets, late 1870's, are made of a light ash frame, with protective leather strip still preserved on the tilted head, lop-sided walnut convex wedge, gut strings and circular handle with leather collar and butt typical of early rackets (strings pulled away at top of frame). One of the rackets has a contemporary label tied round the throat with inscription: "Re-strung, 2/8/[18]82." The two 1890's racquets rackets, probably not originally part of the set, are manufactured by Prosser & Sons, each with leather grip (strings slightly distressed on one, the shorter racket probably cut down for squash).
Also present are the tennis net, two red wooden net posts with onion finials having extra sections for badminton play, two red wooden stands, guy ropes, eight blue wooden pegs and a wooden mallet.
