Collectable racket displays for home or office
with the tennis enthusiast in mind
TENNIS
Treasures
Racket Displays Page 1
DRAPER-MAYNARD
“The Lucky Dog Kind”
Model 595 Tennis Racket
This Draper-Maynard model 595 tennis racket, circa 1925, was just one product of the Draper-Maynard Company of Plymouth, New Hampshire. At one time the company was the major manufacturer of major league baseball gloves, bats and balls.
Their slogan “The Lucky Dog Kind” is attributed to Babe Ruth when he exclaimed “Oh, you’ve got one of the lucky dog kind.” When commenting on the baseball glove of a rookie player. Draper-Maynard added the slogan to their bird dog logo and had it copyrighted.
The company closed in 1937 with the death of John Maynard. The label continued until 1962 but ceased after being absorbed by MacGregor Sporting Goods.
$499
Wilson T2000
Developed in 1953 by Frenchman Rene Lacoste the T2000 was marketed in 1967 by Wilson Sporting Goods. It became immensely popular when Jimmy Connors began playing with it. Connors won Wimbledon Titles with it in 1974 and 1981. The development of the T2000 marked the end of the era of wooden rackets.
$449
Spalding
Lakeside Model
Cir 1905
The A. G. Spalding Company was formed in 1876 by Albert Goodwill Spalding, a pitcher and manager for a local Chicago baseball team. The company’s first emphasis was on baseball equipment but soon branched into other areas. The company claimed to make the first American tennis ball. Spalding’s first tennis rackets were advertised in 1885 featuring the Windermere, Kenwood, Union Club and Junior. The Lakeside model continued from the early 1900s until the 1940s. In 1891 Spalding bought the Wright & Ditson and A. J. Reach companies but continued making rackets under those brands.
$499
Harvard
Aztec Model
Cir. 1910
Harvard tennis rackets were sold exclusively by Sears Roebuck & Company. This was stamped on many of the Harvard tennis rackets as shown in the picture below. The actual manufacturer of the Harvard is not known but in all likelihood it was E. Kent or Spalding.
$449
Cragin-Simplex
Falcon Model
Cir 1920
The Cragin-Simplex Corporation was formed in 1914 and specialized in tennis and squash equipment. The corporation changed hands in 1939 and its name existed until 1972 when it merged with the Garcia Corporation.
$499
Wright & Ditson
Cir 1894
The Wright & Ditson Company was formed in 1878 and was located in Boston, Massachusetts. They sold domestic and imported sporting goods and other sports related items such as clothing and shoes.
This racket can be dated to the mid- 1890s due to the three dots in the gold stamped Wright & Ditson logo. The Wright & Ditson Company was purchased by the Spalding Company in 1891 but continued to use the Wright & Ditson name until the 1940s.
$599
DRAPER-MAYNARD
Princess
c 1920s
This Draper-Maynard Princess model tennis racket, circa 1920s, was just one product of the Draper-Maynard Company of Plymouth, New Hampshire. At one time the company was the major manufacturer of major league baseball gloves, bats and balls.
Their slogan “The Lucky Dog Kind” is attributed to Babe Ruth when he exclaimed “Oh, you’ve got one of the lucky dog kind.” When commenting on the baseball glove of a rookie player. Draper-Maynard added the slogan to their bird dog logo and had it copyrighted.
This racket features a very unique bulbous grip.
$599
Iver Johnson
Tournament Model
c 1917
The Iver Johnson Company was based in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, and was in operation from 1871-1993. The company was founded by Iver Johnson, a Norwegian immigrant who came to the United States during the civil war. The company began with the manufacture of fire arms and later in 1883 bicycles. The company expanded to Boston and eventually it became a major manufacturer of sporting goods and a wide variety other items.
Iver Johnson died in 1895, and his sons took over the business. The sons converted the business to motorcycle manufacturing and sales in 1907. In 1916, the company turned their attention back to the manufacture of firearms, sporting goods and tools.
The tournament model is an example of one of the earliest laminated rackets featuring two pieces of wood with a strip of leather or black walnut in the middle. The first laminated rackets were introduced in 1915.
$599