BLACKROCK MASTERS: NEW BLAKE & FEDERER BOOKS: EPHEMERA: REAL TENNIS DE LUXE EDITIONS

INTRODUCTION: Newsletter 63 Lawn Tennis (April 2007) and Newsletter 64 Real Tennis (May 2007) were electronic newsletters; I did not print paper editions. This did not produce the usual high level of sales; it did produce quite a few comments from all over the world that the paper edition was much preferred. I have to keep in mind that not everyone has e-mail nor is internet friendly, and that many of those who do and who are also book collectors still prefer postal catalogues. So I am reverting to the printed edition supported by the electronic edition. One problem is that the e-mail list and the mailing list are becoming increasingly different in content and contacts. Printed versions of Newsletter 63 and 64 are freely available.

*** I chatted at length with Jimmy Connors at The Queen’s Club when he wandered into the merchandising area. I asked him about news of progress on his much publicised biography, for which several leading publishers were involved in a strange bidding war. He told me that his plans had been shelved for at least two years and maybe more, owing to oppressive conditions sought by the publishers and the fact that he is now back on the tour as a coach, and therefore still has plenty of chapters as yet unwritten.

*** The Wimbledon Press Centre was shocked to learn that Bud Collins of the Boston Globe and NBC fame had been unceremoniously dumped by NBC during the Championships. This most colourful of characters had fronted NBC’s tennis coverage for at least 30 years. Bud is a consummate tennis historian and author, as well one of America’s leading sports journalists. We hope he will continue to write Wimbledon for the Boston Globe.

*** I also chatted with Wimbledon Champion Jan Kodes, who told me much about his new biography, which is listed later in this newsletter. Kodes was the champion in the year of the boycott. His book is massive and it is plainly a lifetime’s work.

*** Please note that all books and other items listed here are in very good condition with original dust-jackets, unless stated otherwise. Deficiencies will be described. All items may be returned within a reasonable time if you are not satisfied.

THE BLACKROCK MASTERS TENNIS takes place in London’s prestigious Royal Albert Hall from Tuesday 4th to Sunday 9th December. This will be the 11th time the event has taken place, with The Tennis Bookshop having been present throughout. As ever the event offers high class, competitive singles with players such as Wimbledon champions John McEnroe, Pat Cash, and Goran Ivanisevic expected to take part, depending on their performance on this year’s BlackRock Tour of Champions. The doubles is more relaxed with wonderful displays expected from crowd favourites Mansour Bahrami, Peter Fleming, Peter McNamara and other legends of the game. Tim Henman is playing once again in a charity match in aid of “Kids at Heart” on Tuesday 4th December during the evening session. More player information will be emailed to you in November.

The ticket line is 020 7070 4404 or visit www.theblackrockmasters.com

	Item 001

001: “Mansour Bahrami: The Man Behind the Moustache”. This is the hilarious 2 disc DVD about Mansour. There are interviews and then the entire marvellously entertaining doubles match played at the Royal Albert Hall in December 2004 involving Mansour Bahrami, Henri Leconte, Boris Becker, and Ilie Nastase. Never has there been a more amusing tennis doubles. The DVD cover is signed by Mansour. £15/US$30

QUEEN’S CLUB AND EASTBOURNE: We were blessed with great weather for both of these weeks and some very good tennis. This year, the long running “Stella Artois” sponsorship was changed to “Artois”, but just about everyone referred to it as the Stella! We said goodbye to Tournament Director Ian Wight after over 20 years in the job. The LTA picked up the vacant sponsorship at Eastbourne, and there was much chat about the event’s future. It is such a marvellous tennis week that I think it would be a great pity to change its location or format. And I am not alone in that opinion!

WIMBLEDON CHAMPIONSHIPS: I think we had eleven rain interrupted days and it was a very close run thing that the event actually finished on time. Since 1877, Wimbledon has lost only 34 complete days to rain. Have you noticed that it often rains heavily at the US, the French and the Australian Opens? Rain is not solely a Wimbledon phenomenon, whatever the pundits may say. The Fortnight did not really get going until well into the second week, but the two finals turned out to be great matches.

002: “WIMBLEDON 2007 OFFICIAL ANNUAL” by Neil Harman. Publication is earlier this year. This is the 25th edition of the very collected and collectible day-by-day report of this year’s Championships. As ever, brilliantly illustrated with colour photos by the cream of tennis photographers, this is another of those excellent tennis Christmas presents. Until 31st December, I will be offering this book post free within the UK at £22/US$44

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003: “Roland Garros: Le Livre du Tournoi du Centenaire” by Gilles Delamarre; 1st French edition of 1991 in very large format hardboards with 246 pages. This book was published in a comparatively small print-run, and as such is exceptionally hard to find, and usually much sought after. It is beautifully illustrated with photographs taken from right across the 100 years of the French Open’s existence, and the text by Delamarre neatly describes the history. The book lists all past finalists and runners-up in the major events together with the final match scores. £125/US$250

FAREWELL TO: Peter Norman Railing (born 30th December 1924; died 29th April 2007). Railing was a noted player of Rackets whilst at Winchester and played for The Pair, never losing a match to any other school. Like many other exceptional athletes of that period, he probably missed his greatest rackets years because of the interruption of the 2nd World War. By the time he took up his delayed place at Oxford, his academic contemporaries were younger and had been spared the horrors of war. Railing inherited a magnificent collection of Tennis books and other antiques from his father. He added to this collection through his life, and then passed the collection to his son Mark, himself an accomplished Tennis player. This was the collection which found its way to Christie’s in November 2005, and he was present in the room to see his collection achieve a substantial result.

FAREWELL TO: Reginald Anthony Routledge, (born 6th June 1930; died 26th February 2007). Reg was a career soldier before joining The Queen’s Club as Club Barman in October 1972. At the time he knew virtually nothing about Tennis and Rackets, but with his wife Barbara he set out to educate himself on the games to the extent that within 10 years they had become great experts on the histories. In 1984, he published a new translation of Scaino’s “Trattato del Giuoco della Palla” (1555). He was an accomplished florist, toastmaster and model-maker. His son Michael works at the club.

FAREWELL TO: Jim Cochrane, (died 17th July 2007). Jim was a jovial larger-than-life character from Cheshire, where he spent may years as a head teacher and justice of the peace. He was President of the LTA 1982-1984, on the Committee of Management of the Championships 1981-1993, he served on various ITF committees, and was a board member of the Hall of Fame. In 1984, he received the CBE. We shared many a laugh together.

NEW AND RECENTLY PUBLISHED LAWN TENNIS TITLES

The following tennis titles have appeared since my last newsletter, and some that passed me by recently. I must start with Jan Kodes’ new and quite remarkable self-study, and please note new titles on Roger Federer, James Blake, and Suzanne Lenglen.

004: “Jan Kodes: Tenis byl muj zivot”; 1st Czech edition of 2006 by Petr Kolar in hardboards with 800 pages. This is the most detailed personal tennis reminiscence that I have seen. Illustrated with 100s of photos taken throughout his life, he tells us all about his life on and off the court. It is written in Czech which might be a problem for those not yet fluent in that language! Be prepared for a hefty postage charge. £50/US$100

005: “Breaking Back: How I Lost Everything and Won Back My Life” by James Blake with Andrew Friedman; 1st USA hardback edition of 2007 with 275 pages. This is the much publicised biography of a very charismatic player from the USA whose career was interrupted in 2004 by three sad obstacles, but he fought back and overcame his personal tragedies to reinstate himself close to the top of the ranking lists. £20

Item 004	Item 005	Item 009

006: “Davis Cup by BNP Paribas: The Year in Tennis 2006” by Chris Bowers; large format hardboards with 128 pages. Another edition of the Davis Cup annual describing and illustrating the various important ties. Every score is listed. Also in stock, editions for 1998, 2000, 2005. £20/US$40

007: “No-One’s Indestructible: Surviving Strokes and Avoiding Them” by John Newcombe; 1st Australian paperback edition of 2005 with 196 pages. I did not know that Newk had had a stroke as long ago as 2003. This is the story of the day of the stroke, and how he subsequently dealt with it and its repercussions. It is a lesson of the strength of one man’s mind to overcome unexpected adversity. £15/US$30

008: “Official Guide to Professional Tennis 2007” also known as the ATP/WTA Player Guide. 800 pages of facts and figures, player biogs, match reports, fixture lists, tables of head to heads, money won etc. Only 2 copies unsold. £15/US$30

009: “Roger Federer Story (The): Quest For Perfection” by Rene Stauffer; 1st USA edition of 2007 in hardboards with 252 pages. Updated from the 2006 German edition, this is the definitive biography written with the cooperation of Federer, who still has plenty of top class tennis left in him. £20

010: “Shape Your Self: An Inspirational Guide to Achieving Your Personal Best” by Martina Navratilova; 1st hardback edition of 2006 with 232 pages. Martina’s training, toning and dietary regimes are laid out here in the greatest detail. You will achieve sainthood if you can keep to this type of lifestyle. It does not seem to offer too many pleasures. There are lots of photographs of Martina exercising. £10/US$20

011: “Suzanne Lenglen: Tennis Idol of the Twenties” by Alan Little; revised and updated paperback edition of 2007 with 216 pages. Alan’s first cut at this amazing woman was in 1988; since then he has delved far more deeply into the records all over the world and has discovered the result of every tennis match Suzanne ever played, and this record is reproduced in full as the last 86 pages of the book. Lots of new photos. £15/US$30

012: “Tennis Is Mental Too” by Stephen Renwick; 1st paperback edition of 2007 with 190 pages. This is the second of his tennis titles, both of which are aimed at the brain rather than the body. His first title “Tennis is Mental” is one of the best sellers at my exhibitions; both titles are great books for the young aspiring player to have in his/her tennis bag to aid with match planning. This is offered on DVD also; each is priced at £13/US$26

013: “Tennis Posters: Il tennis nel manifesto” edited by Giulio Bolaffi; in conjunction with the Hanbury Tennis Club in Alassio; 2006; large format hardboards with 131 pages. This lovely book illustrates the collection of historic tennis posters accumulated by Joe Skordis at his tennis club in Italy. Joe has an enormous tennis antiques collection which he loves showing to visitors, so put Alassio on your itinerary. The magnificent posters are described in both Italian and English so this book should have a very wide appeal to all tennis and poster collectors. £50/US$100

014: “Tennis Record Book 2007” by Rino Tommasi; large format paperback edition with 400 pages. This book is probably the best tennis stats book that is published. It is large series of reprinted tables detailing the top 10s, the Grand Slam champions, all the 2006 event winners, ranking lists, complete draw sheets for all ATP/WTA events for 2006, etc. Only 1 copy remaining unsold. £25/US$50

Items 006, 082, 015 & 013

015: “Ultimate Encyclopedia of Tennis” by John Parsons (1998) here updated by Henry Wancke in 2007; in large format hardboards with 224 pages. Parsons did a superb job in 1998, and here Wancke manages to improve, polish and bring it up to date. It will make an excellent Christmas present for tennis fans of all ages. It is a heavy book which contains a wide and informative series of articles, histories etc. £20/US$40

INTERESTING AND UNUSUAL LAWN TENNIS PAPER & EPHEMERA

016: An Autographed sheet signed by on one side in 1934 by Wm T Tilden 2nd, Fred Perry and Dorothy Round, and on the other side in 1935 by Suzanne Lenglen, Charles Hare, Nell Hopman, and J.F.G (Jack) Lysaght; thus signed by four Wimbledon Singles Champions. £250/US$500

017: “Dunlop Rubber Sports Catalogue 1934”; booklet with 16 pages in very small format. Here are illustrated all the various sporting equipment (racket sports, hockey, football etc.) made and sold by the Dunlop Rubber Company in the mid-1930s. It is a little fragile but complete. £30/US$60

018: “F.H. Ayres Indoor & Outdoor Games”; including Croquet, Cricket, Golf, Archery, Fives, Lawn Tennis, etc. This is small fragile leaflet of 8 pages (cover detached but present) giving item and pricing details of the considerable range of sporting goods sold by Ayres in the late Victorian era. The tennis rackets are shown as tilt-heads, so around 1880. The vignette of the tennis court suggests a date closer to 1876. £150/US$300

019: “Fred Perry 1909-1995”: The order of service for the Memorial Service for Fred Perry held at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London on Thursday 22nd June 1995. The huge congregation was in itself an expression of love and admiration for one of England’s greatest ever sportsmen. £15/US$30

020: “Game of Sphairee (The): Strokes, Tactics, History” by F.A. Beck; 1st edition (Australia) of 1981 in small format hardboards with 104 pages. The game of Sphairee is a form of tennis, invented in New South Wales, played on a miniaturised court 6.2 metres by 2.8 metres. The book contains sections on coaching, technique and history with the ranking lists for the previous 20 years. It is ex-library but in very good condition. £50/US$100

021: “How To Play Tennis” by Rene Lacoste; 1st paperback edition of 1930 with 40 pages. A short treatise from the great French player on how he plays his game and how you can improve yours. This copy has had the spine strengthened and the middle pages are loose but present. £25/US$50

022: “Lawn Tennis” from the USA magazine “Home and Society” probably in the late 1870s. It is disbound (6 pages illustrated with 10 engravings) and discusses the new game which may well prove popular in years to come! The players are referred to as “striker-in” & “striker-out”. £20/US$40

023: “Private Eye 3 July 1981”; this edition of the famous satirical magazine has a distinctly unflattering front cover of the Royal Box at Wimbledon with speech bubbles from several of the great and the good containing irreverent comments. £10/US$20

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024: “Rules for Playing the Game of Croquet”; dated 1892. A 24 pages booklet, rather fragile and the covers detached but present. Appears to be by F.H. Ayres and after the rules, there are several diagrams showing various hoop formations. £75/US$150

025: “Rules of Lawn Tennis (The); a critical essay with a few suggestions” by D. Croll; 1946, small format hardboards with 35 pages. Croll studies the rules in detail and adds some of his own suggestions as to simplification and improvement. Not previously recorded. £30/US$60

026: “Rules of Tenikoit or Ring Tennis” published by R.H. Mottram of Shropshire in or around 1922. A tiny 8 page booklet listing the rules of play for this game of ring tennis, playable in the garden and on a liner. It is illustrated with diagrams and 3 photos of the methods of play. £45/US$90

027: “Ted Tinling 1910-1990”: The order of service for the Memorial Service for Ted Tinling held at St. James’s Church, Piccadilly in London on Sunday 24th June 1990. I worked closely with TT through the 1980s and never tired of listening to him talk tennis. When we left the church, he had requested the theme tune to Neighbours; this confused many Americans! £15/US$30

028: “Wer War der Grosste Tennisspieler Aller Zeiten: Eine Parade der Spitzenspieler der Welt” von (by) Dr. F.W. Esser; 1st German paperback edition of c1930 with 62 pages. This is a somewhat pro-Germanic look at the greatest tennis players of the 1920s. No photos. £20/US40

TWO TOP-SELLING COACHING TITLES

029: “Inner Game of Tennis (The)” by W, Timothy Gallwey; reprinted paperback edition with 122 pages. This is the much asked-for brain coaching book which teaches you how to manage your mind, your attitude, and your match planning. Master your brain and success may follow! £10/US$20

030: “Winning Ugly: Mental Warfare in Tennis” by Brad Gilbert and Steve Jamison; reprinted paperback edition of 1994 with 227 pages. This sells and sells and Brad writes like he talks, which means no prisoners taken! He has the gift of motivation, as many top players have discovered. £10/US$20

REAL TENNIS, COURT TENNIS, LE JEU DE PAUME, PALLONE, RACKETS

www.uscourttennis.org is the new web address for the US Court Tennis Association, and I recommend a visit.

The Tennis & Rackets Association is revamping its website and is introducing an e-newsletter. Visit www.tennisandrackets.com for more information.

BOOKS OFFERED AT DISCOUNTED PRICES

I seem to have multiple copies of these titles, following some very opportunistic buying recently. Therefore they are offered
at about 60% of the usual list prices whilst stocks last.

031: “Annals of Tennis (The)” by Julian Marshall; reprinted edition of 1973 in large format green boards externally decorated with 226 pages. Clearly the greatest English language book of the 19th century (originally published in 1878), this book is the amalgam of a series of articles published in The Field magazine in the mid 1870s, and brought together as a book. Marshall is much quoted in later books, and he was a very good player both of Tennis and the new game of Lawn Tennis, in which he helped to write the rules of play. His book discusses Tennis both in England and Europe, he describes the court and its markings, the laws and their history, and then he sets out his ideas on technique and strategy. £75/US$150

032: “Art of the Tennis-Racket-Maker and of Tennis (The)” by M. de Garsault; 2nd English language reprint of 1977 in red boards and slip-case with 45 pages and 5 plates; in an edition of 750 numbered copies. This is a translation of the great French book from 1767 in which de Garsault describes Tennis in such a way as it is virtually indistinguishable from the game we play today, even down to deciding who serves by spinning a racket and calling rough or smooth, because in those days and upto about 1875, each string intersection was knotted individually. £75/US$150

033: “History of the Leamington Tennis Court and Club House” by Charles Wade; 1st standard edition of 1996 in hardboards with 213 pages. This is the oldest Tennis Club still in existence, founded in 1846. The book is an excellent description of the club’s history, and it remains to this day a very clubbable club, if you see my point. I believe it has relaxed some of its older social attitudes! £35/US$70

034: “History of the Royal Game of Tennis (A)” by Albert de Luze, here translated into English in 1979 in an edition of 500 numbered copies, all signed by the translator Sir Richard Hamilton, and in large format hardboards within a card slip-case. Originally published in French in 1933, this is the definitive description of Le Jeu de Paume in France throughout many centuries. It is illustrated with diagrams, engravings and maps, beautifully presented and meticulously researched. At the end is an historical record of Paumiers and championship winners. £150/US$300

035: “Pierre’s Book: The Game of Court Tennis” by Pierre Etchebaster; 1st USA edition of 1971 in hardboards with 78 pages. The great World Champions and professional in New York writes his famous coaching manual in such a simplistic way. The book is supported with personal opinions of Pierre written by all his great but not quite great enough opponents of the 1950s and the 1960s. £60/US$120

036: “Rackets, Squash-Rackets, Tennis, Fives, Badminton”; the Lonsdale Library; 1933; 328 pages in hardboards but no dust-jacket. This is the natural successor for the Badminton Library editions below. It brings that book upto date for the mid 1930s, with histories, technique, the rules etc. It is very well illustrated with court diagrams, dimensions, and photographs showing the strokes of the various games. £30/US$60

037: “Tennis: Lawn Tennis: Rackets: Fives” edited by the Duke of Beaufort and A.E.T. Watson; 1st edition of 1890 in excellent condition. This is the standard edition in brown boards externally decorated. With 484 pages, this is the major racket sports compendium of the 19th century with 123 pages on Tennis, 225 pages on Lawn Tennis, 58 pages on Rackets, and 25 pages on Fives. There are lovely social scene engravings by Lucien Davies together with illustrative woodcuts showing the shots and equipment used. £75/US$150

038: “Tennis: Lawn Tennis: Rackets: Fives”; This is the de luxe edition of 1890 bound in original half calf boards with blue leather spine and corners externally gilt decorated. Slight water staining mostly to top margin. £75/US$150

039: “Willis Faber Book of Tennis & Rackets (The)” by Lord Aberdare; 1st edition of 1980 in large format hardboards with 368 pages. This is the precursor to his later “J.T. Faber Book of Tennis & Rackets” and it was the leading book on Tennis and Rackets of the 20th century, after E.B. Noel’s “History of Tennis”. Century by century chapters on both sports describe the history, development, great characters etc. At the end is an extensive record of all the major championships and title holders. £50/US$100

INTERESTING AND UNUSUAL REAL TENNIS PAPER & EPHEMERA

040: “Deer Park Pro-Am Tournament”; programme for the event played at the Leamington Tennis Court Club from 2nd to 4th June 2000. Eight teams competed and the teams include both amateurs and professionals. The programme is also a dinner menu. £20/US$40

041: “Estorno del Luogo dato al Giuoco del Pallone in Bologna”; a wood engraving (19cm x 11.5cm) showing the external view of a late 18th century pallone court. Fashionable people stroll past amongst the trees. £50/US$100

042: “Exhibition of Tennis and Rackets (An)” staged at The Queen’s Club in London from 9th to 17th October 2004, brilliantly organised by Jonathan Edwardes. This illustrated catalogue of 32 pages was issued as a useful description of the many major antiques and treasures on Tennis and Rackets so generously loaned by many benefactors. £10/US$20

043: “Railing Tennis Collection (The)” sold at Christie’s South Kensington on 17th November 2005. This catalogue describes in great detail the large collection of Tennis antiques, rackets, books and images dating from the early part of the 16th century to the modern day, as owned by the Railing family. The gross take including commissions was about £300,000. Many previously unseen items, especially books were eagerly snapped up. £15/US$30

Item 041	Item 049

044: “Real Tennis” by Eustace H. Miles, M.A. This is a disbound article (7 pages) taken probably from a sports magazine such as Bailey’s around 1900. Miles was winner of the Gold Prize (MCC) in 1897 and 1898, and was a great racket sports player, who went on to coach in the USA. This is quite a technical article which describes how the game is played and the main rules. There are several court diagrams showing the lines & openings. £15/US$30

045: “The Royal Game of Tennis” by Charles l. Norton. This is a disbound article (4 pages) taken from a Victorian magazine in 1890. The article is aimed at the young and tells of the early days when the game was popular amongst royalty. There is little in the way of technique, but it is an interesting piece of the tennis bibliography. There are several engravings of the ancient game. £15/US$30

	Item 048

046: “Trafalgar Dinner 2000”; this is the short programme and dinner menu for a singles tennis match played at the Leamington Tenis Court Club on 21st October between 7 pairs of players masquerading as the leading French and English ships which featured at the Battle of Trafalgar. Thus Kevin Sheldon is H.M.S Victory and Marc Seigneur is Buccentaure. I don’t know the result of the match but I assume history repeated itself! The programme is beautifully decorated with historical engravings of Nelson scenes. £30/US$60

047: “World Championship 2006”; the programme for the challenge between the holder Rob Fahey and the challenger Tim Chisholm played at The Oratory Tennis Court in April 2006. Rob retained his title by 7 sets to 0. (This is my last copy). £10/US$20

048: “Ye Sette of Odd Volumes”: The menu for the 393rd meeting of this literary group held at Oddenino’s Restaurant in London on 26th of February 1924 to celebrate the publication of E.B. Noel’s massive work “A History of Tennis” in two volumes. The menu is typically expansive for the period, and it is clear that Noel made a speech to the meeting. The menu is decorated and illustrated with Real Tennis images. £50/US$100

049: “A Perspective Draft of ye Eastern or Baron’s Court at ye Queen’s Club”: This is cross-section diagram of the court with every chase line and opening identified so that those attending the meeting who were not Tennis knowledgeable could understand what Noel was saying in his speech. The text is written in medieval English and is rather amusing. £50/US$100

RACKETS IN INDIA: The spread of both Rackets and Squash Rackets into India was caused directly by the colonial occupation of that country by the British in the mid-19th century. As the military garrisons were established “up country”, so were built Rackets and Squash Rackets courts. There is a very small number of books which describes some of these courts, most of which are now gone. I recently came across a book called “The Byculla Club 1833-1916 A History”, published in Bombay in 1916 and illustrated by Cecil Burns, with 173 pages in hard boards. This is a classic book about the luxuries enjoyed by the British Raj in India, and specifically about a country club where the officers and their wives played a variety of indoor and outdoor games and sports amongst which was Rackets.

SOME GREAT BOOKS FROM THE REAL TENNIS BIBLIOGRAPHY

The great books are generally more expensive, I have to agree. But they are so rare, that I find it can be 10 or more years before another copy comes along. Look at the Barcellon of 1800 in the Railing. Sale. There was no record of any previous auction sale of this exceptional little title. The books which follow are undoubtedly rare but they each hold a very special place in the bibliography.

050: “Academie Universelle des Jeux” par L.C.*** Amateur; small 12mo edition of 1825 in original leather boards (internally marbled) with 460 pages. One of a series of such titles published through the 18th and 19th centuries, this is a French version of Hoyle’s Games, covering many sports. Paume is covered in some detail at pages 202/209 and this copy is in lovely tight condition with just a hint of water staining at the top of the pages. £250/US$500

051: “Art of the Tennis-Racket-Maker and of Tennis (The)” by M. de Garsault; 1st English translation of 1938 for the members of the Royal Tennis Court translated by Catherine W. Leftwich from the 1st French edition of 1767. In red boards externally gilt with 45 pages and 5 plates in an edition of 250 numbered copies signed by C.B. Gabriel Hon. Sec. and Treasurer of the RTC. This is the major French book on Le Jeu de Paume in the 18th century and describes the game in such a way as it can be seen the games have hardly changed. Original tissue-guard is present. £275/US$550

Item 052	Item 053

052: “Court Tennis, with notes on Racquets and Squash-Racquets” by Frederick Charles Tompkins; 1st USA edition of 1909 in small 12mo format red hardboards with 115 pages. This little book is exceptionally rare written by an English professional who went to the USA; this is also probably the 1st or 2nd book on squash-rackets. It is a coaching manual with just a little history. The Tennis section is illustrated with photographs of the author demonstrating the shots. Internally the book is inscribed by the author “With Compliments Fredk. Chas. Tompkins Phila 1910”. £600/US$1200

053: “Eloge de la Paume et de Ses Avantages Sous le rapport de la sante et du developpement des facultes physiques” par M. Bajot; 4th French paperback edition of 1854 with 255 pages. Most unusually this copy is in its original paper covers whereas it is usually found rebound into leather boards. First published in 1800, this 4th edition is much expanded and discusses not so much the game itself, but more how playing the game is good for the body and the general health. He also covers La Longue Paume and La Gymnastique. There is discreet ex-lib plate. £500/US$1000

	Items 055 & 092

054: “Games and Sports: Being an Appendix to Manly Exercises and Exercises for Ladies” by Donald Walker, edition of 1837 in small 12mo hardboards with 388 pages, page edges are gilt. I have long regarded this little book as one of the most important in racket sports. It covers a large range of indoor and outdoor sports and games, but its importance is in the racket sports. At pages 255/257 is a short and exceptionally early piece on Racket (sic), with an engraving of an open court; at pages 258/297 is a longer descriptive piece on Tennis with a unique engraving I have never seen reproduced, and at pages 298/307 is just about the only English piece I have ever seen on Long or Open Tennis. What makes this stand out is that there is an engraving showing four men playing what is clearly lawn tennis doubles played outside, the court being marked at its outer boundaries by string attached to short poles to mirror the real tennis walls. In the first rules of lawn tennis, the players were not allowed to stand outside the lines nor to take a ball outside the lines. This copy is a little shaken with some pages slightly loose, but it is complete and otherwise a good copy. £350/US$700

055: “Jeu de Paume: Definitions et Regles; Conseils aux Debutants” by Albert de Luze; 1st French paperback edition of 1928 with 68 pages. This little book is by the great Paumier from Bordeaux who also wrote “La Magnifique Histoire du Jeu de Paume” (1933). It is a rules book, an interpretation of the terms used in Paume, and it is a coaching manual. This copy is handsomely inscribed internally:
“To my old friend Douglas Barry I am very pleased to offer this little book. Very sincerely Albert de Luze Oct. 28”. £500/US$1000

DE LUXE/LIBRARY EDITIONS OF SOME OF THE MORE RECENT REAL TENNIS PUBLICATIONS

When these books were published, it was and indeed still is the custom to publish in two editions, a standard edition and a de luxe or library edition. The standard edition would normally be in a run of about 500 copies, and the de luxe or library edition would be in a run of 50 to 100 copies. These de luxe or library editions would be in a superior binding, often leather or leatherette, with gilt page edges, numbered internally and signed by the author. These would sometime be pre-sold and the subscribers’ names would be listed along with the number of the issue allocated to them.

056: “Fred Covey: World Champion of Tennis” edited by Neil Covey; 1st tall 4to de luxe library edition of 1994 in red leather boards internally marbled, with 125 pages, all page edges gilt. This is one of 60 copies, signed by the editor. Neil has assembled a large quantity of original press cuttings about Fred’s many matches in his quest to be world champion. The articles make a fascinating insight into Fred’s tennis career. £100/US$200

057: “History of the Leamington Tenis Court Club 1846-1996 (The)” by Charles Wade; 1st de luxe edition of 1996 in hard leather boards with 213 pages, all page edges gilt. This is one of 60 numbered Library copies, signed by the author. A classic history of the oldest members’ tennis club in the world. The 22 chapters describe the history and development of the club, and the records from the 19th century are very detailed. £200/US$400

058: “Melbourne to Myopia: Reflections on my visits to the Real Tennis Courts of the 20th Century” by George Limb; 1st de luxe edition of 2002 in blue leather boards and card slip-case with 170 pages. This edition was printed in a run of 50 copies signed by the author. Limb travelled the world with his tennis racket and managed to notch up around 53 courts. He writes a short chapter on his impressions of each court. £100/US$200

059: “Real Tennis in Cambridge: The First Six Hundred Years” by Roger Morgan; 1st tall 4to de luxe edition of 2001 in blue boards with 60 pages. This is one of 50 numbered copies, signed by the author. Tennis was played at Cambridge on a variety of courts, but now is concentrated on just two, one of which has only recently been reopened. This is another of Morgan’s excellent studies of the game through the last 600 years. £100/US$200

060: “Tennis and Oxford” by Jeremy Potter; 1st de luxe edition of 1994 in leather boards internally marbled with 152 pages, all page edges gilt. This is one of 100 numbered copies, signed by the author. The 12 chapters recount the history of Tennis at Merton Street, as well as tennis played at other courts within the university, now no longer in existence. Nicely illustrated with engravings and photographs. There is also a list of half blues. £200/US$400

061: “Tennis: The Development of the European Ball Game” by Roger Morgan; 1st tall 4to de luxe library edition of 1995 in blue leather boards with 259 pages, all page edges gilt. This is one of 100 numbered copies, signed by the author. This is a wonderful study of the genesis of ball and tennis play in Europe since the earliest times when images first appeared. He shows how all the various European hand ball games might be related. The book is very heavily illustrated with many early engravings. His ideas on the origins of Tennis scoring are fascinating. £200/US$400

062: “Tudor Tennis: A Miscellany” by Roger Morgan; 1st tall 4to de luxe edition of 2001 in red leatherette boards with 175 pages, all page edges gilt. This is one of 50 numbered copies, signed by the author. This is a splendid study of Tennis in Tudor times, which also deals with images of the game, many of the London courts, as well as tennis-play in France and Italy. It is profusely illustrated with early maps and engravings. £200/US$400

RECENTLY PUBLISHED TITLES ON REAL TENNIS

063: “Chase Down Under (A): a history of royal tennis in Australia” by Michael P. Garnett; 1st edition of 1999 in hardboards externally decorated with 502 pages. This is one of Garnett’s earlier books but a few copies still remain unsold. It tells in considerable detail the story of the establishment and subsequent development of Royal Tennis in Australia from the earliest mention in 1875 when Samuel Smith Travers bought a plot of land in Hobart and built his tennis court. The book then recounts how the game gradually expanded to Melbourne and Ballarat. He also discusses books, antiques, rackets etc. and the other courts and clubs of the world. It is superbly illustrated with photographs and engravings. £50/US$100

064: “First Beautiful Game (The): Stories of obsession in Real Tennis” by Roman Krznaric; 1st paperback edition of 2006 with 181 pages. This was always a slightly odd approach to Tennis, but the strange stories and historical anecdotes make this a very interesting read. £15/US$30

065: “Game Of Tennis (The): Its History and Its Description” by Chapus translated into English in 2006 by Richard Travers from the original French of 1862; in brown leatherette boards externally gilt decorated with 94 pages in an edition of 350 copies only. This is the major French book on paume of the 19th century, and its original editions can fetch as much as £8000. It describes the game in France, the courts where it is played, the major Paumiers etc, and is illustrated with photographic plates, which in the edition of 1862 are original plates tipped onto the pages. £75/US$150

066: “Jeu des Rois, Roi des Jeux: Le Jeu de Paume en France”; large format French paperback edition of 2001 with 181 pages. The catalogue describing and illustrating the many Jeu de Paume artefacts assembled to celebrate the refurbishment of the old court at Fontainebleau. £50/US$100

067: “Royal Tennis in Renaissance Italy” by Cees de Bondt; 1st edition of 2006 in large 8to format hardboards with 290 pages. This book went very well and rightly so. It is a labour of love for Cees who spent many days wandering in Italy examining library archives and other records which allowed him to produce this marvellous history of tennis and ball-play in Italy. It is superbly well illustrated with very many engravings, and photographs; and there is a huge quantity of text notes, appendices etc to make this book a must-have for all keen tennis historians. £75/US$150

068: “Rules & Principles of Tennis” by Pierre Barcellon here translated into English in 1987 by Sir Richard Hamilton; small format hardboards with 47 pages. This little book was originally published in 1800 called “Regles et Principes de Paume”. Only 4 copies are known to exist. It is by the great paumier and he describes the rules and technique of paume as taught by him. £20/US$40

069: “Tennis: A Cut Above the Rest” by Chris Ronaldson; 4th edition of 1999 in hardboards with 176 pages. Chris’s book keeps on selling as new players come to the game. It is an excellent coaching book and his life as a Tennis Professional is a very good read. £20/US$40

070: “Treatise on the Royal Game of Tennis” by de Manivieux here translated by Richard Travers in 2004 from the original French of 1783 called “Traite sur La Connoissance du Royal Jeu de Paume, et des Principes”; in green leatherette boards externally gilt with 97 pages. One of the rarest of books on Le Jeu de Paume now exposed to the world in this run of just 350 copies. It is a fascinating read and shows that 18th century paume is hardly changed from 21st century Tennis. I believe that there are only a few remaining unsold of the 300 copies printed. £75/US$150

071: “Winning Gallery (The): Court Tennis Matches and Memories” by Allison Danzig; 1st USA edition of 1985 in hardboards (no dust-jacket issued) with 347 pages. This is Danzig’s second major Court Tennis title, the first in 1930 called “The Racquet Game”. The book is a history of Court Tennis in the USA and then it is a study of all the great players who have excelled on American courts from Jay Gould through to Gene Scott. Danzig was present at all the great matches from the 1930s onwards and his gripping accounts are classics of modern sporting journalism. £100/US$200

WIMBLEDON TITLES

This range of Wimbledon titles includes annuals, programmes, novels, histories, and a long-playing record.

	Item 072

072: “Anyone For Tennis Featuring Highlights from Wimbledon”. This unusual item, made in 1986, is a double long-playing record (33 1/3 revs per minute) with famous players, commentators and personalities talking about their favourite classic moments at Wimbledon over a great many years of observation. There are recordings of Maria Bueno, Dan Maskell, John Barrett, Fred Perry, Bjorn Borg, Boris Becker, Maureen Connolly, Kitty Godfree, John McEnroe, Ted Tinling and others. The records are in very good condition; anyone still have an old-fashioned gramophone? £25/US$50

073: “Ballad of Worple Road (The): A Poetic History of the Early Wimbledon Championships” by Max Robertson; 1st hardboard edition of 1997 with 128 pages. Max has put together a very long poetic (doggerel?) description of the first 50 years of the Championships in a clever and amusing style. It is liberally illustrated with cartoons by Loon; this copy is signed by Max. £10/US$20

074: “Centre Court and Others (The)” by F.R. Burrow; 1st edition of 1937 in hardboards and very rare pictorial dust-jacket with 312 pages. The Wimbledon Referee for the previous 18 years tells many fascinating stores about happenings, personalities, matches etc. which makes this one of the great Wimbledon histories of one of Wimbledon’s greatest eras. £125/US$250

075: “Centre Court Murder” by Bernard Newman; 1st edition of 1951 in small format hardboards with 303 pages. This is a typical 1950s crime novel loosely associated with play at Wimbledon, a foul murder and then a gripping Old Bailey trial. This copy is personally dedicated to Capt. B.H. Liddell Hart (military and tennis historian) and signed by Bernard Newman and dated 11/6/57. Newman wrote crime novels and travel books. £125/US$250

076: “Centre Court Seating Plan”. This is a large and very detailed official seating plan for Wimbledon’s Centre Court, probably from the 1950s. The plan measures approx 100cm by 75cm and is in excellent condition. £35/US$70

077: “Centre Court Story Wimbledon (The)” by Maurice Brady; 1st edition of 1957 in hardboards and lovely pictorial dust-jacket with 227 pages. I always think that is close to being the best of the early Wimbledon histories upto the 1950s. Much of the great history such as Tilden, the mighty French and Fred Perry were recent events and still fresh in the mind, and Brady skilfully describes those personalities and their great matches. £20/US$40

078: “Death on Center Court: A Scotland Yard Mystery” by George Goodchild; 1st USA edition of 1936 in hardboards and rare and highly decorative dust-jacket with 317 pages. “Wynbolt, the sensational Australian tennis star, drops dead on the center court at Wimbledon.” (sic). Inspector McLean who is watching leaps into action and the plot thickens before it unravels! It revolves around more than one female admirer! £150/US$300

079: “Fifty Years of Wimbledon 1877 to 1926” by A. Wallis Myers; standard edition of 1926 in 4to format hardboards with 96 pages. Myer’ brief was to produce a history of the great matches of the first 50 years of the Championships, and as he had been there for many of them, this was a first-hand account. John Barrett followed fifty years later with his magnificent centenary title. £75/US$150

080: “Gallery of Champions” by Helen Hull Jacobs; 1st edition of 1951 in small format hardboards and dust-jacket with 224 pages. Jacobs tells how her top 15 women players “smashed and volleyed their way to success before the packed audiences of Wimbledon’s Centre Court”. From Suzanne Lenglen to Alice Marble and then some of the post-1946 American stars, who dominated world tennis for quite a few years. £20/US$40

081: “Kenneth Ritchie Wimbledon Library Catalogue 2007” in small format paper covers with 201 pages. This is the 10th edition of the major reference book containing details of all the books and other publications currently on the shelves of the Wimbledon Library. It contains titles published in country by country order. Let’s hope the Hall of Fame in Newport will publish its own list of tennis book holdings. £15/US$30

082: “Visions of Wimbledon: A Celebration of the World’s Finest Wimbledon Photography” by the Allsport Photographic Agency; 1st large format edition of 2000 in hardboards with 144 pages. With text by Andrew Longmore, this lovely book illustrates the Championships from the early part of the 20th century onwards. The photos are magnificent. Also available is its sister book “Visions of Tennis”. Each at £20/US$40

083: “Wimbledon Annuals”: Several changes in the prices owing to supply, some prices up and some down.

084: “Wimbledon Centre Court of the Game: Final Verdict” by Max Robertson; 3rd edition of 1987 in large format hardboards with 500 pages. Here is the final version of Max’s marvellous history of the Championships and the AELTC. He is a consummate tennis historian and his profusely illustrated book is a very desirable item. (Previous owner’s inscription) £15/US$30

085: “Wimbledon: Gentlemen’s Singles Champions 1877-2005” by John Barrett and Alan Little; paperback edition of 2006 with 195 pages. Excellent mini-biographies and personal Wimbledon performance statistics of each of the champions since the first event in 1877. £15/US$30

086: “Wimbledon Serving Through Time: A Handbook from the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum”; 2003; large format paperback with 72 pages. This book illustrates the history of the AELTC and the Championships on a decade by decade basis with history illustrated with contemporary artefacts and antiques as found in the Museum. £15/US$30

087: “Wimbledon 2007 Final Edition Programme”. This is the edition published after the Championships have finished, containing every result of every event. It is only printed to order, thus in a very small quantity. £15/US$30

088: “Wimbledon Final Edition Programmes”: 1970; 1972; 1976; 1977; 1978; 1979; 1980; 1981; 1982; 1983; 1984; 1985; 1986; 1988; 1990; 1992; 1993; 1995; 1998; 2000; 2001; 2002; 2003; 2006. Each at £15/US$30

089: “Wimbledon Programme for Day 12, Saturday 3rd July 2004”. This copy has been signed on the front cover by Billie Jean King, Budge Patty, Ted Schroeder, Stan Smith, Neale Fraser, Pat Cash, and Tony Trabert, thus seven Wimbledon singles champions. £75/US$150

AND FINALLY, a very special and rare book about Wimbledon:

090: “100 Years of Wimbledon 1877-1977” by Lance Tingay; 1st de luxe edition of 1977 in large format green leatherette boards within a green card slip-case; 257 pages, all page edges gilt, the spine ribbed and gilt decorated. This is Tingay’s seminal history of Wimbledon and the Championships compiled to celebrate the centenary of the first event in 1877, though not in fact the 100th Wimbledon. This splendid copy is limited to 100 numbered copies for sale, and to 26 copies lettered A to Z for presentation, all copies signed internally by Fred Perry. This is copy C for presentation and it is in mint condition, and a very attractive addition to any top class lawn tennis library. £500/US$1000

091: “Out There and Back: The Story of the 25000km Great Australian Cycle Expedition” by Kate Leeming, Tennis Professional at the Royal Melbourne Tennis Club. In 1993, she completed the 13400 km Trans-Siberian Cycle Expedition to raise funds for the children of Chernobyl. Ten years later she organised the Great Australian Cycle Expedition (GRACE), a 25000 km journey, 7000kn of which were off road. This book is her personal story of the amazing journey, warts and all. Copies can now be ordered direct from her in Melbourne at www.gracexpedition.org

SOME MORE RARE REAL TENNIS BOOKS

“Ars Conjectandi” or in English “The Art of Conjecturing” by Jacob Bernouilli. This book was first published in 1713, reprinted in German in 1899, and then again in English in 2006. Bernouilli was a consummate mathematician, who studied odds. His very rare 1713 edition recounts numerous mathematical problems, finishing with a chapter called “Letter to a Friend on Sets in Court Tennis”. This is peppered with complex equations and theories about how to succeed in betting on the outcome of games in tennis. Copies of the reprints are offered below.

092: “Wahrscheinlichkeitsrechnung”; 1st German edition of 1899 in small format hardboards with 172 pages. Here his letter is “Brief an einem Freund uber das Ballspeil”. This copy, the first I have ever seen, is in very good condition. £250/US$500

093: “Art of Conjecturing (The)”; 1st English translation by Edith Dudley Sylla of 2006 in hardboards with 430 pages. Published with considerable quantities of notes and explanations, but still far too complicated for this Tennis player to understand or consider using in play! £100/US$200

094: “Theatre des Bons Engins (Le): Auquel sont contenuz cent Emblemes moraulx” by Guillaume de la Perriere; a facsimile reproduction of 1964 (1st edition of 1539); later editions exist. The book is a collection of Emblem engravings showing many facets of mid-16th century life in Europe, each with a short French text. At pages 20 and 92 are exceptional images of Tennis. These are considered to be the first clearly identifiable images of the game of Tennis. The 1st edition is amongst the most sought after books in the Tennis bibliography. (Previous owner’s inscription) £125/US$250

LADY WAVERTREE HOSTS HER ANNUAL CHARITY TENNIS DAY

095: “Exhibition Lawn Tennis Matches Monday July 4th 1921” at Sussex Lodge, Sussex Place, Regent’s Park, London N.W. For many years from the 1920s onwards, Lady Wavertree hosted a charity day in the middle of Wimbledon. She had enormous pulling power and always managed to lure the top players for whom this day was a special feature. On this occasion, Lawn Tennis and Badminton magazine (photocopies of the pages included) reported in its July 9th edition that she had W.T. Tilden, B.I.C. Norton, Manuel Alonso, Mlle. Lenglen, Mrs Mallory, Mrs Lambert Chambers, Miss Ryan and others. Offered here is an original one page leaflet announcing the matches and pairings for the day. On the reverse are autographs written in pencil by William T. Tilden 2nd, Brian Norton and Suzanne Lenglen. £300/US$600

AUTOGRAPHS BY TOP WOMEN TENNIS PLAYERS

	Item 100

096: “Cilly Aussem 21 Juni 1931”. A small privately taken black and white photograph of top German tennis player Cilly Aussem probably on the old No 1 Court. In 1931, she was top seed at Wimbledon and duly won the title. She was the first ever German winner of a Wimbledon singles title, and she beat another German in the final, Hilda Krahwinkel. On the reverse of the photo is a pencilled reference to her and the date of the final. £40/US$80

097: “Monica: From fear to Victory” by Monica Seles with Nancy Ann Richardson; 1st edition of 1996 in hardboards with 240 pages. This was written after the stabbing incident when she was by now well on her way back to the top. Signed on the title page “Monica Seles”. £35/US$40

098: “Passing Shots: Pam Shriver on Tour” by Pam Shriver with Frank Deford; 1st edition of 1987 in hardboards with 211 pages. This amusing book is written in diary form as she travels round the tennis tour winning lots of doubles events. Signed internally “Pam Shriver”. £30/US$60

099: “The Margaret Smith Story” by Margaret Smith as told to Don Lawrence; 1st edition of 1965 in hardboards with 192 pages. This is the somewhat stormy story of her life on the tennis circuit and her tricky relationship with the Australian LTA. She was a great Wimbledon champion and a rare Grand Slam winner. Internally is tipped in a slip inscribed “To Janet With Best Wishes Margaret Smith”. £35/US$70

100: “The Road To Wimbledon” by Alice Marble; 1st USA edition of 1946 in hardboards with 167 pages. The Wimbledon champion of 1939 tells her tennis story, which continued during the 2nd World War, though Europe ceased competitive tennis in 1939. Internally the book is signed “Good Luck Barbara from Jack Kramer”, and “Bobby Riggs”, and “Best wishes Alice Marble”; thus three Wimbledon singles champions. £300/US600

101: “The Total Zone” by Martina Navratilova; 1st edition of 1994 in hardboards with 246 pages. This is the first in the trilogy of tennis/crime novels by Martina featuring sleuth Jordan Myles. It is signed internally “To Karen, Martina”. So I am looking for someone called Karen! £35/US$70

AUTOGRAPHS BY TOP MEN TENNIS PLAYERS

	Item 104

102: “Arthur Ashe: Portrait in Motion” by Arthur Ashe with Frank Deford; 1st USA edition of 1975 in hardboards with 272 pages. His amazing win over Jimmy Connors still fresh in his mind, here Ashe tells the story of his fight to get true recognition in the USA, as well as much detail of his major matches against Laver, Nastase and others. This copy is signed internally “To Vance from the ancient Arthur Ashe”. £150/US$300

103: “John McEnroe: The Autobiography” by John McEnroe with James Kaplan; 1st edition of 2002 in hardboards with 346 pages. Easily the top selling tennis book of recent years, McEnroe writes like he plays, i.e. he takes no prisoners! Signed: “Hope U like it! John McEnroe”. £30/US$60

104: “My Story: A Champion’s Memoirs” by William T. Tilden 2nd; 1st USA edition of 1948 in hardboards with 311 pages plus photos. Some might say this is a sanitised version of his amazing life both on and off the court. I really could not say! Internally: “Sincerely Wm. T. Tilden To Greg Whose generosity, loyalty and friendship I can never…….. With admiration and lots of love Teach 1948”. £475/US$950

NEW AND RECENTLY PUBLISHED LAWN TENNIS TITLES NOT IN STOCK

“Tennis” by Giovanni Clerici; revised/updated edition of 2006 (1st edition of 1974) in massive hardboards. Originally in Italian and latterly in English and French, here is Clerici’s incredible history of tennis in what must be its final form. All copies are already sold, so I await the English edition.

“Declasse De Roland-Garros au RMI” by Catherine Tanvier; 1st French paperback edition of 2007 with 223 pages. Not the happiest of stories, this is about France’s top woman player of the 1980.

“Service Vole: Une Championne Rompt le Silence” by Isabelle Demongeot; 1st French p/back edition of 2007 with 261 pages. Another French woman player opens her heart about some of the awful things that befell her on the tennis tour.

THE FOLLOWING ITEMS ARE NOT LISTED IN THE PRINTED VERSION OF NEWSLETTER 64

Item 105	Item 106

105: VICTORIAN CHILDREN’S PUZZLE BOX: This is one of those lovely old toys in really quire good condition, bearing in mind the use it must have had. The box measure 25cm x 18cm x 5cm. There is some wear which is visible and small loss to the lower right corner of the lid, which is hinged. The sides of the box are liberally decorated as is the lid. Regrettably, one of the twenty-four blocks is absent. Each block has six faces, so there are six separate pictures to make. It is fortunate that the lovely tennis scene is also on the lid of the box. Internally the lid had affixed to it another of the six scenes. This is detached but present in tissue paper. £200/US$400

106: SOUVENIR CERAMIC TENNIS RACKETS: A selection of 25 souvenir ceramic tennis rackets from the late Victorian and the Edwardian eras. Sold by many seaside and county towns to day trippers who wanted to take home a small memory of their visit. All are in very good condition and they range in length from 9cm, each at £20/US$40, to 15.5cm, each at £30/US$60.

SHELF 1:
107: Ceramic Match Holder in the shape of a young girl, probably early 1920s; 7cm wide x 7.5cm max height. £20/US$40

108: EPNS Trophy on 3 Rackets: marked “Empire Plate”, this measures 9.75cm high. £30/US$60

109: Ceramic Match Holder in the shape of a young girl, probably early 1920s; 7cm wide x 7.5 cm max height. £20/US$40

110: Victorian Tea-Cup with delightful tilt-head tennis racket handle in lovely condition. 6.5cm high x 7.5cm wide. £100/US$200

111: Glass Paper-Weight in the shape of a tennis ball; measures 6.5cm diameter. £20/US$40

112: Ceramic Spill Holder in the shape of a slender vase supported by male tennis player; early 1920s; 7cm high x 5.5 cm max width. £25/US$50

113: White Ceramic Tennis Figure; measures 10cm high. Female figure seated on a chair with tennis racket. Made in Germany. £25/US$50

SHELF 2:
114 (A): Ceramic Saucer with Crossed Rackets; white with green decorations crossed rackets above ball. 14.25cm diameter.
114 (B): Ceramic Tea-Cup with Crossed Rackets; white with green decorations crossed rackets above ball. 6.5cm high.
114 (C): Ceramic Tea-Plate with Crossed Rackets; white with green decorations crossed rackets above ball. 15cm high
The Tea-cup is marked “J. Abrahams. Canterbury” on the base; as the decorations are identical in all three pieces, it is reasonable to assume they were all made at that factory probably some time in the 1920s/1930s. Slight paint loss to the edge of the plate decorations. Otherwise there are no chips or cracks to any of the three items, which are offered together as a set at £50/US$100

115: Shuttlecock Tea-Plate c1880; a children’s soft paste porcelain plate with a hand coloured transfer scene of four boys playing Shuttlecock” measuring 13.5cm in diameter. (See Racket Sports Collectibles). Tiny wear damage to rim, otherwise no cracks. £100/US$200

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