Newsletter 67 - September 2008
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NEW TITLES: SEGAL, MURRAY, SAMPRAS, ROLAND GARROS, CLERICI, SPHAIRISTIKE, WIMBLEDON

ORDER A PERSONALLY DEDICATED COPY OF THE MANSOUR BAHRAMI DVD FOR CHRISTMAS

VERY RARE LAWN TENNIS RULES BOOKLETS FROM 1876 TO 1888; RACKET SPORTS IMAGES; TRIMS

PREFACE: ALERT TO BUYERS IN US$

As the £/US$ rate has shifted so much since I sent Newsletter 67 to the printer, please disregard all US$ prices and use £1/US$1.75 for conversions. Remember I can accept (and indeed encourage) US$ personal checks payable to Alan Chalmers. Or check with me on the day of purchase to agree a rate.

INTRODUCTION: Although I published a very successful Real Tennis edition in April (Newsletter 66, still available), it is exactly a year since my last general tennis newsletter. This schedule is not usual for me, and I am sorry for the apparent fall-off in frequency, as I know how much the newsletters are anticipated and appreciated. I have spent much of the last few months engaged on updating my huge racket sports bibliography (now at 5750 items), and dealing privately in Real Tennis literature. But with the highlights of the English lawn tennis season over, this is a suitable occasion to summarise what has happened in the tennis literature market since last year. There have been some quite good new titles and I have listed these elsewhere.

 
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*** We witnessed one of the great Wimbledon Championships this year, with the only serious rain on Men’s Final Day. Thus the flow of matches throughout the Fortnight was non-stop. But next year the much heralded sliding roof will be in operation. Clearly the major benefit will be no more interruptions in the last few days. But that also means we may never again see the amazing drama played out on the last day with the Federer/Nadal final. I dread to think what would have happened if they had gone to 9-all in the 5th set. Surely the Referee would have had to call them off, and reconvene for 20 minutes on Monday morning. Let’s not forget the Ladies’ Final which also produced a great match between the Williams sisters.

*** So the last of the wonderful (Stella) Artois Championships at The Queen’s Club has gone into history. At the time of writing, there is no news of a replacement sponsor, any more than there is for the combined Men’s Nottingham and the Women’s Eastbourne weeks now to be played at Eastbourne’s Devonshire Park in the week immediately before Wimbledon 2009. I have exhibited at 17 Queen’s Club weeks and 21 Eastbourne weeks. At present my entire exhibition programme for 2009 is in pencil, awaiting the sponsorship news and exhibition rent pricing scales. If the organisers read this, please keep in mind that returns on exhibitions are now close to the point where I wonder if the effort etc. involved is commensurate with the net returns.

*** Tennis Record Book 2008 compiled by Rino Tommasi is now available in its 8th edition. This book always sells out very quickly.

*** All books offered in this newsletter are in very good, complete condition with dust-wrappers where issued. Faults will be fully described.

THE BLACKROCK MASTERS TENNIS is to be played at the Royal Albert Hall in London from Tuesday 2nd to Sunday 7th December. There will be 2 sessions per day except Sunday. New blood is being added to the line-up of top players and 2008 sees the first year for Pete Sampras and Stefan Edberg. This may be John McEnroe’s last year, so this will be a must-see week. Other players in the frame this year include Goran Ivanisevic, Pat Cash, Henri Leconte, Cedric Pioline, Mansour Bahrami, Peter McNamara, and Mikael Pernfors.

Book your tickets at www.theblackrockmasters.com or by phone to the box office on 0207-589-8212

 
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001: ORDER THE MANSOUR BAHRAMI DVD AS A CHRISTMAS PRESENT: Each year at the Masters, Mansour Bahrami signs a huge quantity of his marvellously entertaining double DVD in which he demonstrates all his famous trick tennis shots. In addition there are interviews in French and English and the entire hilarious doubles match played by Bahrami, Ilie Nastase, Boris Becker and Henri Leconte. Mansour regularly signs the DVD covers at the end of each session. If you would like to order a specially signed and personally dedicated copy for a Christmas or birthday present, let me know by phone, e-mail or by post. I will ensure all Christmas orders are delivered worldwide in good time for the festive season. These DVDs are suitable for UK and Europe players; in the USA you will need an all systems player. Post included: £17 for UK; £20 for worldwide air

002: MANSOUR BAHRAMI BOOK: Mansour has written the story of his life (only in French at present). Called “Le Court des Miracles” and written with Jean Issartel, it tells the story of his persecution while in Tehran, his escape to France, his career as a circuit tennis player and his pivotal involvement in the Masters. Let me know if you would like to have a personally dedicated copy of this book in time for Christmas. £15/US$28

FAREWELL TO:

*** Sven Davidson: born 13 July 1928; died 29 May 2008. He became the first Swedish tennis player to win a Grand Slam title taking the French Open in 1957 against Herbie Flam. The following year with Ulf Schmidt, they took the French Open Doubles unseeded. He was prominent in international tennis matters and created the Stockholm Open in 1969.

*** Ronald Hughes: born 25 November 1920; died 1 July 2008. Hughes was one of the last of the old-school public school rackets professionals, having coached at Malvern College from 1956 for many years through to the 1980s. He produced a string of fine doubles pairs especially in the 1970s, when the Malvern pair reached 5 consecutive national First Pairs finals, winning 3. He started life as a trainee Real Tennis professional under George Cooke at Manchester. He competed unsuccessfully for the World Real Tennis title in 1966 losing 7 sets to 0 against Northrop “Norty” Knox.

*** Kenneth Bruce McGregor: born 2 June 1929; died 1 December 2007. He was Wimbledon Men’s Doubles champion in 1951 and 1952 with Frank Sedgman; they lifted 7 Grand Slam Men’s Doubles titles in a row. He was Australian champion in 1951, helped Australia retain the Davis Cup title, and then turned pro. He lost to Dick Savitt in the 1951 Wimbledon final. In 1950, he was involved in a Wimbledon doubles set lasting 2 ½ hours at 31-29.

*** Geoffrey Lane Paish: born 2 January 1922; died 3 February 2008. Paish and Tony Mottram made up the best Davis Cup pair that GB had in the late 1940s and into the 1950s. He had a fine record in domestic competition, playing at Wimbledon from 1946 to 1962 and won the Wimbledon Plate; he reached the Men’s Doubles ¼ finals 3 times. He was a stalwart supporter of Surrey tennis for many decades and he captained the GB Davis Cup side in 1957. He worked for many years with the Inland Revenue for which he was awarded an MBE. His son John was a distinguished GB player also.

003: WIMBLEDON ANNUAL 2008: You can now order your copy of the 2008 Official Wimbledon Annual, which is probably due around the beginning of October. Written once again by Neil Harman of The Times, this will be the 26th consecutive year this substantial day-by-day report of the latest Championships has been published. In large 4to hardboards and dust-wrapper (usually with 160 pages) and beautifully illustrated with full colour photos by the great tennis photographers, this makes an excellent Christmas present and reminder of what was a marvellous Fortnight. £20/US$38

004: PRIVATE EYE AND ENGLISH TENNIS: For those of you unfamiliar with the English satirical magazine “Private Eye”, it has over many decades become the scourge of public figures from all walks of life. Put a foot wrong and there you are featured in all your embarrassment! Lawn Tennis has occasionally featured, mostly as front cover cartoons, and I have here a small selection of entire issues dating from 1981 to 2002, each with a great front cover on lawn tennis, some of Wimbledon and one of Queen’s. These would look great framed up for display. Each offered at £10/US$20

REAL/COURT TENNIS NEWS

 
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Petworth House Tennis Court has recently revamped its website at www.petworthrealtennis.com, and I thoroughly recommend a tour. We have managed to locate the dates and photos of every Professional who has worked there since 1900. In addition the history section on the growth and development of Tennis at Petworth since the 16th century is fully chronicled. I especially draw to your attention the substantial links page which now has the strongest Real Tennis orientated list of any I have seen.

FAHEY RETAINS WORLD TITLE: In May, a large number of Real Tennis fans from all over the world congregated at the picturesque and historic old court at the Chateau of Fontainebleau to witness the most marvellously competitive singles match most of us have seen. Rob Fahey took three days to repel the spirited challenge offered to him by Aiken’s young left-handed Camden Riviere. My match report is on www.irtpa.com

BOOMERANG CUP 2009: The Boomerang Cup is fast coming round again! It seems like only yesterday when we all congregated at Melbourne’s Sherwood Street and embarked on endless tense and tight doubles matches in 95F. In fact, it was January 2007, and January 2009 is now only a little over 4 months away. I hear that the team entry from the 4 Real Tennis playing countries is as strong as ever; we at Petworth are taking two teams and serious training starts on 1 October! With the Boomerang Cup in mind, I will be publishing in late November a special list of Real/Court Tennis titles. If you live in Australia or if you are travelling to Melbourne in January and would like books, let me know and I will try to bring them out with me.

REAL/COURT TENNIS TITLES

005: Historia Ciencia y Codigo del Juego de Pelota by Luis Bombin Fernandez; 1st Spanish edition of 1946 in very decorative 4to dust-wrapper with 610 pages. This is the definitive title on Pelota and its associated variations as played in Spain, France, and elsewhere in the world such as Cuba, the USA, Philippines etc. The book covers the history of the games, the many great players of the regions of Spain, technique and the rules of play, and the governing bodies. There are fold-out plates showing courts dimensions, and many photos of the great players. £100/US$190

 
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006: History of The Leamington Tennis Court Club 1846-1996 (The) by Charles Wade; 1st Library edition of 1996; 1 of 60 numbered copies signed by the author; in 8vo leather boards and dust-wrapper with 213 pages, all page edges gilt. Too late for this book is the earth-shattering news of a few months ago that the Club is at last to allow women through their doors as members! It is the oldest Tennis club in the world and has otherwise a fine tradition of sporting endeavour. The early days of the club’s formation and its gradual progress are well described and illustrated. £200/US$380

007: How to Make the Real Tennis Ball from Core to Cover by Richard Hamilton and Anthony Hobson; 1st edition of 1977 in small 12mo hardboards and dust-wrapper with 27 pages. Also published in paper covers, this splendid little manual describes and illustrates the ages-old procedures and techniques for making the real tennis ball, procedures and techniques still followed by today’s Professionals. £75/US$140

008: The Official Story of the Tennis and Rackets Association 1907-2007 by David Best; large 4to paper covers with 74 pages. Best patiently poured his way through all the T & RA archives and records to produce a very readable account of the governing body, its formation, early days and gradual development over the 100 years of its life. There are photos of all the leading personalities. Order direct from www.tennisandrackets.com

009: Pierre’s Book: The Game of Court Tennis by Pierre Etchebaster; 1st USA edition of 1971 in small 4to hardboards and dust-wrapper with 78 pages. Pierre may not know that his record of world title defences has just been broken, but his book still remains one of the most charming in Tennis. He starts with chapters on tactics and technique both at singles and doubles, all described in his slightly home-grown pigeon English, (e.g. “Do not abuse for the dedans”; “do not abuse playing the volley. Let the ball go to the back wall”). All easier said than done! Then several of his many great opponents write their own personal views of the great man. This copy in virtually mint condition is beautifully signed and dated on the title page. £225/US$430

010: The Racquet Club of Chicago: A History by Peter T. Maiken; privately printed in 1994 in large 8vo hardboards with 85 pages. No dust-wrapper but unless you know different, I don’t believe one was issued. This is the second copy I have seen of this book, which describes in some detail the Chicago Racquet Club, founded in early 1923. Not many people know that they built a Real Tennis court as well as 2 Racquets courts, and I think the shell of that real tennis court remains. Indeed I have heard talk of refurbishing it. It is a typical gentleman’s club of the type favoured both in London and the eastern seaboard of the USA. The book is well illustrated and makes a valuable contribution to racket sports history. £200/US$380

SOMETHING REALLY SPECIAL FOR REAL TENNIS BIBLIOPHILES

011: L’Art du Paumier-Raquetier, et de la Paume by M. (Francois Alexandre Pierre) de Garsault (1691 to 1776); 1st large folio edition of 1767 in French, with 39 pages of text and 5 planches or plates. Extracted as usual from the much larger Descriptions des Arts et Metiers etc., here is the great French tract on Le Jeu de Paume in the pre-Revolution period. First translated into English in 1938, the text reads today just like a modern Real Tennis coaching manual; de Garsault would recognise his game as being virtually unchanged as to rules, scoring, tactics, technique etc. The big change is the pace of the modern game. This example is the best I have ever seen, undamaged by water or wear, just a little darkened with occasional mild foxing. It is bound into later very attractive red boards with red leather spine and corners, the title laid in gilt along the spine. Photos are available. Offered with this beautiful book is a complimentary copy of the English translation published in the USA in 1977. The price is in the region of £3500/US6750

REAL TENNIS TITLES WRITTEN OR PUBLISHED IN AUSTRALIA BY MICHAEL P. GARNETT

Mike Garnett has been THE top man in Australia for many years as far as the publication of books on (Real/Royal) Tennis is concerned. His knowledge and enthusiasm for Tennis knows no bounds and he has become an authority on the history and the minutiae of our game. He has several titles to his name and here is a short list of some currently available, albeit in very limited numbers now. I believe only 350 of each were printed, mostly now sold.

012: Royal Tennis…For the Record…; small 8vo hardboards with gilt decorations and 110 pages. This is his first title setting the principles for later editions. The book matured through items 013 and 015 below. This is however the first major study of Royal Tenis in Australia. £50/US$95

013: A Chase Down Under: A history of royal tennis in Australia; large format 8vo hardboards in pictorial covers with 500 pages from 1999. Here we have 71 chapters, all of which are self-contained on an equally wide range of Tennis subjects and topics, from the historical to the bizarre. Australian Tennis facts, figures and history are uppermost but the influence of England and France is acknowledged. £45/US$85

014: Treatise on the Royal Game of Tennis by Monsieur de Manivieux; 1st English translation of 2004 from the original French of 1783 in large 8vo green leatherette hardboards with 97 pages. This is the most elusive French title on Le Jeu de Paume of the 18th century. Written just before the Revolution, the game was in steady decline. De Manivieux wrote this book both at the instigation of his patron, le Comte d’Artois, and to impress him. He explains the two different types of court in France at that time and sheds light into the way the professionals thought of their clients. £75/US$140

015: A Tennis Miscellany; 1st large 8vo edition in leatherette hardboards with 284 pages from 2006. In many ways this is a revised and updated edition of A Chase Down Under, and there is lots of new information. Mike has since visited or studied several of the older and out-of-use courts in England, such as Hewell Grange, Crabbet Park and Easton Neston. This has been a great selling book and the mass of information can only appeal. £75/US$140

016: Tennis: Its History and Its Description by Edgar Chapus with an introductory essay by Edouard Fournier. This is the first English translation of 2006 by Richard Travers of the original French of 1862, here in large 8vo leatherette hardboards with 94 pages. I describe this as the major French book on Le Jeu de Paume of the 19th century. It describes the history of the French game, as well as famous paumiers and courts. In French it was published in two formats, a grand with upto 14 plates and a petit with upto 8 plates. Both editions are valued at several thousand pounds. £75/US$140

 
RARE AND EARLY LAWN TENNIS RULES BOOKLETS FROM THE USNLTA

The Playing Rules of Lawn Tennis as adopted by the United States National Lawn Tennis Association. These are very small paperback format booklets (c9.5cm x c14cm) containing the rules of lawn tennis, equestrian and rink polo, as well as many pages of advertisements for a wide variety of playing equipment. The contents vary slightly from year to year. All four editions bear minor signs of age wear with occasional chipping at the page edges of the covers. But they are all complete and tight. They are offered for sale initially as one package at £2000/US$3800

017: The edition for 1884 with 48 pages; published by Peck & Snyder; with Cases and Decisions by James Dwight.

018: The edition for 1885 with 48 pages; published by Peck & Snyder; as above with articles on the ball and the racket.

019: The edition for 1886 with 63 pages; published by Peck & Snyder; as above with rules for umpires, and a list of tennis clubs in the USA.

020: The edition for 1888 with 63 pages; published by Horace Partridge & Co.; as above with by-laws of the USNLTA.

SOME MORE INTERESTING WEBSITES RELATED TO RACKET SPORTS

  • Read about the history of tennis in Ireland in this massive 3 volume set
  • Visit the website for the well-established pre-Wimbledon tournament in Liverpool, run by Anders Borg
  • Here is the major source of tennis information in Florida
  • Bert Armstrong down in Victoria (Oz) has the largest collection of memorabilia related to squash racket

A VERY RARE TITLE FROM AUSTRALIA ON REPAIRING AND STRINGING RACKETS

021: How to Repair and Restring Tennis and Badminton Rackets Yourself by C. Stuart; 1st small 8vo edition of 1931 in paper covers with 39 pages. This is a title for which I am often asked. It comes from Australia and is as far as I can see just about the only book of its kind, though I know there are manuals recently published in the USA. It sets out clearly the various methods of stringing as in the early 1930s; lots of photos. £75/US$140

ABE SEGAL, GORDON FORBES………WHEN SPRINGBOKS LEAP THE NET

The publication this summer of Abe Segal’s hilarious account of his life inside and outside tennis (Hey Big Boy!) gives me the opportunity to focus on South African tennis and some of the small band of top players who have made their mark on the global game. Segal’s record is listed at the end of his book and it is a fine one, as is Forbes’ record. Both have remained very much involved in tennis since their great days and both still hit a good ball, though their speed across the court is somewhat diminished! “Yours” is now the most used word. Besides these books below, I have also seen biographies about Cliff Drysdale and Bob Hewitt. Missing from this list is the Frew McMillan story. I bet he has some good tales to tell!

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022: A Handful of Summers by Gordon Forbes; 1st edition of 1978 but here 1st paperback edition of 1997 with 330 pages. This is Forbes’ first book written while it was all still fresh in his mind. Here can be found all the funny stories about how they toured the world and managed to fit in a few tennis matches between generally having so much fun, often interspersed with the odd alcoholic interruption, late nights, pretty girls etc. £5/US$10

023: Hey Big Boy! by Abe Segal; 1st large 8vo paperback edition of 2008 with 357 pages. Abe has long been one of the most charismatic and amusing tennis players around. His peak era was the 1960s and the 1970s, during which he won many doubles events with Gordon Forbes. He is a larger than life chap whose many tennis achievements have been accumulated through sheer bloody-mindedness. This is a very amusing tennis read. £20/US$38

024: Too Soon To Panic by Gordon Forbes; 1st edition of 1995 in 8vo hardboards and dust-wrapper with 287 pages. This is the much anticipated follow-up to Gordon’s iconic and most amusing first title called A Handful of Summers from 1978. The theme for both titles is the somewhat hit and miss wanderings about the globe by a group of South African tennis players. Despite leading the high life, they actually accumulated some pretty good results in singles and doubles. By now they are moving gracefully towards the veterans divisions, but competition is no less fierce. £25/US$48

025: When Springboks Leap The Net by Louis Duffus; 1st edition of 1968 in small 8vo paper covers with 104 pages. This is the definitive account of South African involvement in the Davis Cup since its first appearance in 1913. All the ties are listed here with full scores and there are chapters recounting the many good stories surrounding the ties. I have only seen one copy of this book in England and this is it. £50/US$95

ORIGINAL AND VERY EARLY LAWN TENNIS RULES BOOKS FROM ENGLAND

Most of the early lawn tennis rules books, such as those by Wingfield, Cavendish, Buchanan, Jaques etc., were included in the large boxes in which the playing equipment was packed. Once the family had learned the rules of play and the lay-out of court lines, the rules books were most often discarded or left out in the rain. That any have survived is mostly through chance rather than design. See under New Titles where I have mentioned news about the Wingfield Sphairistike booklets. The following rules booklets are all complete and in good order.

026: The Games of Lawn Tennis and Badminton by J. Buchanan, Piccadilly, London; 1st edition of 1876 in small 8vo green hardboards externally heavily gilt decorated with 23 pages, all page edges gilt. It is an increasingly unusual admission from me when I say this is the first time I have seen this beautiful little book. It is titled internally as “Rules for the New Games of Lawn Tennis and Badminton”. The court is shown as hour-glass and this shape of court was just about to be changed to rectangular under the auspices of the Marylebone Cricket Club, the rules authority for the new game. Only 25 rules are listed here; the game is scored upto 15 points; Real Tennis scoring had not yet been adopted. The second part of the booklet is taken up with the rules of “The Anglo-Indian Game of Badminton”, again with an hour-glass court and 1 page of rules. Save for a very slight easing internally, this copy is a most important rules booklet which predates the first Wimbledon Championships. £5000/US$9500

027: The Games of Lawn Tennis and Badminton by Cavendish (aka Henry Jones); 5th edition of 1883 in 12mo green hard-boards, the front board heavily decorated with raised designs and gilt shield with rackets and shuttle-cocks and 30 pages; all page edges gilt. Published in 9 editions from 1876 to 1889, this 5th edition includes 40 rules of play, a rectangular court and hints on play. The Badminton section is now only 2 pages, as this game had produced its own rules booklets. The interior of the boards are beautifully marbled and this is an exceptional copy. £750/US$1400

028: The Game of Lawn Tennis with the Authorised Laws by Cavendish; 8th edition of 1888 in 12mo green hard-boards internally marbled, the front board with title in gilt letters, all page edges gilt. This is the penultimate edition with articles on “The Ground, The Court and Implements, Single, Three and Four-Handed Games” as well as “Hints” on the various shots and tactics, “Laws of Lawn-Tennis, Management of Lawn-Tennis Prize Meetings” etc. The boards are slightly darkened but this edition is tight and complete; slight wear to the lower edge of the front board. £400/US$750

ODDS, ENDS AND LITTLE TREASURES!

029: Davis Cup 1931 Programme, Great Britain v Monaco at The Carhullen LTC in Plymouth 23/25 April 1931. This copy is of 16 pages; on page one where there are photos of the players, each has been signed as follows: H.W. Austin, Pat (Hughes), Charles Kingsley, Fred Perry, H. Anthony Sabelli; and for Monaco the very rare signatures of Vladimir Landau and R. Gallepe. Excellent condition, complete and tight. £75/US$142

030: Dunlop Sports Goods catalogue of playing equipment 1934; Dunlop range of rackets for badminton, squash rackets, tennis. £15/US$28

031: Jean Borotra’s Paris Business Card; hand-written by Borotra in ink is: “with his best thanks for your too kind letter”. £20/US$38

032: Lowther Lawn Tennis Club (London) Open Tournament Programme 1950. Lovely example of 1950s English tennis event. £10/US$18

033: Newport Casino Lawn Tennis Association 21st Annual Invitation Tournament 1937 Programme: a large 4to card programme showing
the draw-sheets for the Men’s Singles and Doubles; Budge defeats Riggs 3 sets to 1. This item is in excellent condition. £50/US$95

034: The Davis Cup Challenge Round 1953 USA v Australia at Kooyong, Melbourne December 28/29/30 1953: This is a DVD (Region 2 only) of 49 minutes showing highlights of some of the ties which were played in front of what was then a record crowd of 17,500. There is historical film of Norman Brookes, Gerald Patterson, Bill Tilden and Pat O’Hara Wood; then we see many more greats in action including Perry, Johnston, the Musketeers, Jack Crawford, Vines, Budge etc. right upto Hoad, of whom there is rare footage of him playing tennis aged 11 in 1946. £15/US$28

035: The Queen’s Club Programmes 1955, 1956, 1957 for The London Grass Court Championships. Excellent condition; a few results in the late stages are very neatly hand-written. Winners include (Men) Rosewall, Fraser, Cooper; (Women) Brough, Buxton & Arnold. Each at £10/US$18

036: Tracy Austin signed stamped cover franked at Newport Sep 9. Envelope over-printed “Celebration of Women in Sports”. £10/US$18

037: Williams & Co 1922 catalogue of Sports equipment; this Paris based sports goods catalogue illustrates a huge range of their tennis rackets, presses, line-markers, umpire seats, nets and posts, plus archery, badminton, cricket, croquet, polo, base ball, football, golf, etc. £50/US$95

038: Wimbledon Order of Play Card dated 4th July 1997 signed by Eltingh, Connell, Pioline, Petchey and Stich. £15/US$28

039: Vincent Richards signed photograph (20cm x 26cm). Shows him full length in posed tennis shot. £30/US$55

040: Martina (Navratilova) signed letter from the Martina Youth Foundation. No date but it appears to be c1980. £25/US$45

041: SIGNED PLAYER PHOTOGRAPHS: Amanda Coetzer, Andrea Jaeger, Billie Jean King, Conchita Martinez, Francis X Shields, Fred Perry, Gardnar Mulloy, Guillermo Vilas, Helena Sukova, Henri Leconte, Ivan Lendl, Jakob Hlasek, Jana Novotna, Jaroslav Drobny, Jennifer Capriati, Ken Rosewall, Kurt Nielsen, Michael Chang, Nancy Chaffee, Richard Krajicek, Roscoe Tanner, Rosie Casals, Stan Smith, Steffi Graf, Sue Barker, Tracy Austin, Zina Garrison. These are mostly black and white postcard size or larger; some are in colour. Each £20/US$35

SOME MAJOR TITLES ON THE GRAND SLAMS

Each of the Grand Slams has published occasional histories and records. Most of these books are in a very large format, elaborately produced and profusely illustrated with many action photos of the top players from all eras. The history texts are well researched and most readable.

AUSTRALIAN OPEN:
042: Game, Set and Glory: A History of the Australian Tennis Championships by Bruce Matthews; 1st edition of 1985 in large 4to hardboards and dustwrapper with 138 pages. The book is quite heavily into the leading Australian players through the ages; the Kooyong arena is much discussed. The author expertly describes the great matches played in the Oz Open from 1905 to 1985; heavily illustrated with photos. £20/US$38

043: Grand Slam Australia: The Story of the Australian Open Tennis Championships by Joseph Johnson; 1st edition of 1985 in broad 8vo hardboards and dust-wrapper with 364 pages. The event has moved all round Australia during its history since 1905 but settled at Kooyong in Melbourne as from 1972. Each of the winners is subjected to a player biog describing how they progressed through to become champion. At the end of the book can be found listed the draw-sheets from the ¼ final round onwards. £25/US$48

044: Our Open: 100 Years of Australia’s Grand Slam edited by Finn Bradshaw; 1st edition of 2004 in large format 4to hardboards and dust-wrapper with 208 pages. This is a collection of impressions of the Australian Open as written by some of the great players of that country, including Thelma Long, Rod Laver, Margaret Court, Roy Emerson, Evonne Goolagong Cawley, John Newcombe, Frank Sedgman, right up to Pat Cash and Pat Rafter. Also contains the latter parts of the draw sheets for the 2 singles events, supported by a mass of great photographs. (1 copy only) £50/US$95

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FRENCH OPEN:
045: La Fabuleuse Histoire de Roland--Garros by Patrice Dominguez; 1st French edition of April 2008 in very large 4to hardboards and dust-wrapper with 264 pages. This marvellous new book describes the development of the Roland Garros complex (opened in 1928) which is so closely linked with the French Open Championships. The book is beautifully illustrated with photos of all the great names, especially the great French stars who dominated the tennis world in the 1920s and 1930s. The text and photographic record take the reader right through the history of events especially the great period of Borg, McEnroe, Connors and Lendl, and King, Evert and Navratilova. Altogether this French language book is a delight. £80/US$150

046: Roland-Garros 2006: Le Livre Officiel by Patrice Dominguez; French edition in large 4to landscape format paper covers in card slip-case, externally decorated with many facsimile autographs of leading players with 144 pages. This is a very stylish day by day account of the 2006 French Open with many great full colour photos of the top players. These are special low number presentation edition. (1 copy only) £60/US$115

047: Roland-Garros 2007: Le Livre Officiel by Patrice Dominguez. As 046 above but this is the 2007 edition. (1 copy only) £60/US$115

US OPEN:
048: Carnival at Forest Hills: The Anatomy of a Tennis Tournament by Marty Bell; 1st edition of 1975 in 8vo hardboards and dust-wrapper with 193 pages. Assisted by half a dozen reporters, Bell follows the matches, visits the locker rooms, talks to the fans and gets caught up in the mania of the tennis world. Following the tournament day by day, he tells the inside story of the game’s most prestigious (AC??) event in 1974. £20/US$38

049: Open! by Eugene L. Scott; 1st edition of 1999 in large 4to hardboards and dust-wrapper with 192 pages. This book takes over from Tennis Observed by printing the full draw-sheets for the Men’s U.S. Open Singles and short biogs of each winner. Gene was losing semi-finalist in the 1967 U.S. Championships; then in 1968 the game went open. But his book Open! starts with the 1967 event. I wonder why? £35/US$65

050: Tennis Observed: The USLTA Men’s Singles Champions 1881-1966 by Bill Talbert; 1st USA edition of 1967 in very large folio hardboards and dust-wrapper with 142 pages. As far as I am aware, this book is the only source for the full US Open Men’s Singles draw-sheets from 1881 to 1966. Each men’s champion has a mini-biography with photo, and the second half of the book consists of the full page draw-sheets. £50/US$95

051: The U.S. Open: Game, Set, Unmatched by Roger Williams; 1st USA edition of 1997 in very large 4to hardboards and dust-wrapper with 192 pages. “From its beginnings as a genteel preserve of the aristocracy to it current status as one of the world’s widely followed tennis events” is how the publicity reads. This lovely book takes you through the days at Newport, on to Forest Hills and then to Flushing Meadow. More than 150 magnificent photos illustrate this chronicle of sporting endeavour by the greatest tennis players in history. (one small previous owner’s inscription) £30/US$55

052: US Open at the USTA National Tennis Center by Moira Saucer and photos by Russ Adams; 1st USA edition of 1988 in large format 4to hardboards and dust-wrapper with 172 pages. The book describes the hurried move to Flushing Meadow and the great matches and players at the US Open since 1978. Russ Adams’ superb action photography illustrates the drama and tension. This book is seldom seen away from the USA. £30/US$55

WIMBLEDON CHAMPIONSHIPS:
053: Fifty Years of Wimbledon 1877 to 1926: The Story of the Lawn Tennis Championships by A. Wallis Myers; standard edition of 1926 in 4to hard-hoards with 96 pages. (There was also a de luxe edition) Myers was probably the leading tennis journalist of the period and a very good player. He writes what is I think the first major history of Wimbledon, and he was there when it all happened. His short history of the All England Club and the invention of lawn tennis lead into a good series of descriptions of the major matches from 1877 onwards. There are lots of early photos. £50/US$95

 
  Item 056
054: Wimbledon Centre Court of the Game: Final Verdict by Max Robertson; 3rd edition of 1987 in small 4to hardboards and dust-wrapper with 500 pages. Max updated his book twice, first published in 1977 and then in 1981. His 40 years as a BBC commentator gave him an unique insight into Wimbledon and its tennis history which he expertly describes from the club’s foundation through every decade, and the many stars who featured in the great matches. The book has a huge quantity of action photos. This copy has a small previous owner’s inscription on the front end paper. £20/US$38

055: Wimbledon Story by Norah Gordon Cleather; 1st edition of 1947 in small 8vo hardboards and dust-wrapper with 231 pages. Cleather was the lady who almost single-handed brought the All England Club through the 2nd World War. She spent those golden years of tennis between the wars as secretary and was present at every memorable occurrence, so vividly described in her book. This copy is inscribed and signed “Norah”. £50/US$95

056: Wimbledon: The Official History of the Championships by John Barrett; revised and updated edition of 2001 in very large format hardboards and dust-wrapper with 468 pages. At last a Grand Slam book which gives the full draws for all the singles events since inception, i.e. Men from 1877 and Women from 1884. Would that the other Slams made such detail readily available! Barrett built on the success of his earlier 1991 title and produced much more information to make this the definitive Wimbledon history. Will he update it again for 2011? Only 5000 copies of this book were printed and it quickly became virtually unfindable and highly desirable. This is a superb example. £150/US$285

057: Wimbledon Who’s Who And Tennis Celebrities; published by Dunlop Rubber in 1934 in small 8vo paper covers with 155 pages. This little book is a gold mine of biographical information on all the leading tennis players of the early 1930s. Here can be found their recent results, personal detail such as their clubs, address etc. Then follows the Grand Slam records and the rules of play, knotty problems, how to do a draw etc. £50/US$95

RECENTLY PUBLISHED TITLES SEEN BUT NOT IN STOCK

Journey To Beijing: Tennis Celebrates the Olympics mainly with input from Nick Imison, Chris Bowers and Craig Gabriel in 4to paper-covers with c100 pages. This special book, not for public sale, is a series of interviews with top tennis players on their other sporting interests, both as a spectator and as a participant. Each article is nicely illustrated with photos. AND Roma 40 Anni di Tennis Open by Ubaldo Scanagatta; large 4to paperback edition in landscape format with 88 pages. Here is Ubaldo’s latest edition of his annual on the Italian Open, with the seedings, the draw sheets, articles on the great champions, etc. and beautifully illustrated.

NEW TITLES ABOUT WHICH I HAVE HEARD BUT NOT YET SEEN

I have read several times about a new title about Patty Schneider and written with/by her husband Rainer Hoffmann, but I have not seen it so far. I think it is called The White Mile and may be out in German but that’s all I know. I have also read about a new Nick Bollettieri biog written with/by Michael Leahy. It is rumoured that there is to be a new biog on Monica Seles, hopefully in time for Wimbledon 2009. Vince Spadea has added a new chapter to his title Break Point and republished it in the USA in paperback. One I will be looking for is On This Day in Tennis History by Randy Walker subtitled A Day-by-Day Anthology of Anecdotes and Historical Happenings. This is imminent. Finally Edward van Cuilenborg in the Netherlands has written a book on the greats of Dutch tennis called Achter de Baseline (Behind the Baseline). Orders to info@debuitenspelers.nl.

RACKET SPORTS IMAGES

I am often asked, especially at exhibitions, if I have any pictures. Generally I don’t, as such things are usually very hard to obtain. At present I do have in stock a small number of original images depicting various rackets sports; each image is correct and original (there are no facsimiles). Some are pages taken from 19th century magazines and as such will have the original date of publication. Photographs of several of these items can be viewed on previous newsletters. Photographs of all of them are available on request either by mail or by e-mail. I have given the measurements first of the actual image and second of the exterior of the item. The condition is very good unless stated otherwise. Post free worldwide!

Item 059 Item 061

058: “LOGIC visiting his old acquaintances on board the FLEET, accompanied by Tom and Jerry to play a Match of Rackets with Sir John Blubber. The fat knight floored.” Drawn and engraved by Robert Cruickshank c1820. This is a well known view of life inside the Fleet Debtors prison when many think the game of Rackets was invented, as being played by Real Tennis players who took their rackets and balls inside and started a rudimentary game by hitting the balls against the internal prison walls. This item is in a pale mount. (20cm x 14.5cm; 30cm x 24.5cm) £100/US$185

059: “The Champion Lawn Tennis Match: Mr. Hartley winning the cup for the second time” from The Illustrated London News dated July 24 1880. This is the entire page though only the bottom half has the tennis image. Here we are at the 4th Wimbledon Men’s Final, when the Reverend John Hartley beat H.F. Lawford 3 sets to 1. The Wimbledon Compendium tells me that 1880 was the first year a score board was used, and that Ayres provided spectator stands, both of which first-timers are shown in the image. 1300 spectators watched this match. £20/US$40

060: “The Devonshire Park Lawn Tennis Ground, Eastbourne” from The Illustrated London News dated July 23 1881. This is a general view across the grounds with the sea at your back so the hills above Eastbourne are in sight. In the foreground, matches are being played with quite a large crowd of spectators. Eastbourne’s tennis tournament was one of the first and it is still being played nearly 130 years later. The Eastbourne image takes up the top one-third of the whole page. (21cm x 9.5cm; 28.5cm x 39.5cm) £20/US$40

061: “Notes at the Lawn-Tennis Meeting for the Championship of Ireland at Dublin” from The Graphic dated June 21 1884. This is a series of amusing vignettes showing some of the prominent players, many of whom would be recognisable to those living at the time. There is also a “General View of the Ground”, presumably the Fitzwilliam LTC. This last view shows 3 courts with a very large audience. (22cm x 31cm; 29cm x 41cm) £20/US$40

Item 062 Item 064 Item 066

062: “La Salle du Jeu de Paume sur la Terrasse des Tuileries” And “M. Edmond Barre, ancien paumier de la cour de France”. These two images are on the same page of L’Univers Illustre, for which I have the entire and original French newspaper dated 8 February 1873. It has 16 pages. The upper image shows M Barre in a characteristic pose, leaning against a pillar, his racket in his right hand, and a somewhat disdainful look on his face. (13.5cm x 19cm; 27.5cm x 29.5cm) The lower image shows a tennis doubles being played as seen from the dedans, several fashionable people watching. The side galleries are also full of spectators. There are many balls scattered over the floor! (23cm x 17cm; 27.5cm x 39.5cm) £100/US$185

063: “Rev. D. B. Kittermaster’s Champion Fives Pairs 1928”. This is an Harrovian team photo of 6 Fives players named G.K. Gourlay, E.C. Gray, J.P.H. Bent, G.D. Smith, W.J. Riddell and J.M. Wollaston. The photo is in a pale mount (some foxing) which has the names inscribed below. Above the photo are a crest and the motto “stet fortuna domus”. OHs will know what this means! (10cm x 14cm; 23cm x 27cm) £25/US$50

 
  Item 065
064: “Michael Michailovotch” from Vanity Fair; dated Jany 4 1894. This shows the Russian prince full length at the net. I am aware that there are many facsimiles of these but I am satisfied this is an original as dated. (18.5cm x 31.5cm; 26.5cm x 39.5cm) £100/US$185

065: “Jack, Harry, Ida and Bob Play Tennis”. This is a delightful, highly coloured and previously unseen image of the cousins’ doubles taken from a late Victorian book. The court is in the foreground and in the background is the house with granny and grandpa reading books. On the reverse is a little story called “Happy Holidays” describing how the children gather at grand-pa’s country house for the summer holidays. Inevitably, one of them breaks the greenhouse glass with a wayward shot! (14cm x 19cm; 17cm x 24cm) £50/US$95

066: “Jeu de Paume Dans le Jardin du Luxembourg” drawn by G(ustave) Dore and engraved by Pisan; dated 1868.This is a full sheet taken from “Musee Francais-Anglais”, presumably a French newspaper of the period. The image shows a scene of what is a form of longue paume, with the players in the foreground and massive trees in the background, in front of which are spectators. (24.5cm x 39cm; 30cm x 43cm) £40/US$75

067: “Views of the Various Strokes in Longue Paume” by Uzalac; c1895. This is quite a well known series of 10 views of players demonstrating the major strokes used in the outdoor sport of Longue Paume, as played still in north France. This sheet is taken from a folio of similar views of other sports. The players are shown full length in their rather stiff poses, and the racket used is clearly one with a much longer handle than tennis. At the foot of the image is a quote from Bajot’s Eloge de la Paume. This item is contained loose in a white mount and card back. £75/US$140

068: “Pelota Players”, probably from Univers Illustre dated 12 February 1890/9. I have found a date which is incomplete but it is in the 1890s. This is an engraving showing a parade of Pelota players being acclaimed by the local crowd on the way to or from the fronton. This image has been cut out of the full page and is nicely loose mounted and backed. (12cm x 17.5cm; 32cm x 37.5cm). £25/US$45

WIMBLEDON TENNIS PLAYER PHOTO-CARDS EACH AT £15/US$30

E. TRIM & Co. WIMBLEDON PHOTO-CARDS PRE-1939: I strongly recommend that visitors to the Wimbledon Museum take some time to stand in front of the mock-up of the Trim postcard shop as it appeared in the 1930s. (See below card T102) In those days, there was a huge trade in player photo-cards which the tennis fans bought as souvenirs of their visit to the Championships. There was much interest in getting your favourite player to autograph your card of him/her. Unfortunately I believe that the entire stock of Trim negatives was destroyed during the 2nd World War in a bombing raid. There are many collectors of Trim tennis cards and I retain a good stock; here is a selection. Trim cards generally bear an identifying code number.

069: TRIM WOMEN PLAYERS: Anderson (Miss P.W.) A88; Aussem (Fraulein C.) X73; Bennett (Mrs Eileen) A24; Bouman (Miss K.) A144; Conquerque (Miss R.) W70; Conquerque (Mme) A154; Cross (Miss E.) W45; Dam (Mrs E.) E106; Gallay (Mdlle J.) A120; Gallay (Miss V.) H75; Gray (Mrs H.M.) A64; Guyer (Mrs A.K.) X45; Hardwick (Miss) S14; Hartigan (Miss J.) S69; Harvey (Miss E.H.) E9; Hill (Mrs John) E49; Hill (Mrs John) W43; Jacobs (Miss H.) F21; Jameson (Miss C.H.) E48; Johnson (Miss S.K.) E97; Krahwinkel (Miss H.) H60; Mallory (Mrs) W16; Marriott (Mrs C.M.B.) H45; Mellows (Mrs A.H.) E89; Moody (Mrs F.S.) T14; Morfey (Miss J.) H22; Nuthall (Miss B.) W32; Palfrey (Miss Sarah) E1; Pittman (Mrs J.B.) H170; Sandison (Miss) W2; Sandison (Miss) W9; Stammers (Miss K.E.) M16; Stammers (Miss K.E.) M19; Stockel (Miss E.) E107; Tapscott (Miss K.) W15; Thomas (Mrs P.) H155; Trentham (Miss N.) H26; von Reznicek (Frau) A153; Wills-Moody (Mrs H.) E19; Wills Moody (Mrs) L14.

070: TRIM WOMEN WITHOUT TRIM CODES: Beekingham (Miss C.); Bennett (Miss Eileen); Hale (Mrs); Mallory (Mrs); Strawson (Mrs).

071: TRIM MEN PLAYERS: Austin (H.W.) A38; Austin (H.W.) H96; Borotra (J.) A126; Borotra (J.) R156; Borotra (J.) R126; Borotra (J.) W100; Cochet (H.) H76; Cochet (H.) A128; Collins (I.G.) E44; de Stefani (G.) T5; Grant (B.M.) V84; Maier (E.) H106; Menzel (R.) R125; Olliff (J.S.) X35; Perry (F.J.) H126; Shields (F.X.) H13; Spence (Dr. P.D.B.) H77; Stoefen (L.F.) R109; Tilden (W.T.) X78; Tilden (W.T.) A92.

072: TRIM MEN WITHOUT TRIM CODES: Alonso (M.); Norton (B.I.C.); Richards (Vincent); Woosnam (Max).

073: TRIM CENTRE COURT: R137; A149; TRIM No. 1 COURT: A174; OTHER TRIM WIMBLEDON VIEWS: T102; S75; S116; S106; H176; R119;

074: NON-TRIM WOMEN PHOTO-CARDS: Baker (Miss B.); Bentley (Miss R.H.); Buding (Miss E.); Connolly (Miss M.); Du Pont (Mrs M.); Fry (Miss S.); Gannon (Miss J.); Nuthall (Miss B.); Rodgers (Miss P.); Scriven (Miss Peggy); Stammers (Miss K.); Starkie (Miss D.E.); Summers (Mrs S.); Susman (Mrs J.R.); Todd (Mrs P.C.).

075: NON-TRIM MEN PHOTO-CARDS: Ampon, (F.); Arkinstall (J.); Borotra (J.); Buding (L.); Davidson (S.); Drobny (J.); Fraser (N.A.); Hoad (L.); Kramer (J.); Petra (Y.); Pietrangeli (N.); Rose (M.); Rosewall (K.); Savitt (R.); Ulrich (T.).

076: WIMBLEDON ANNUALS: Here is my current (much lower) price list: 1983, 1984, 1985 at £95/US$180; 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1992, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007 at £10/US$20; 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997, 2001, 2005 at £30/US$55

077: WORLD OF TENNIS ANNUALS: Despite the fact that these annuals have not been published since 2001, having started way back in 1969, there are many collectors who are still trying to complete their runs. The 1980s seem hard to find these days but here is my current stock and price list.
1970 at £30/US$55; 1971, 1972, 1973, 1979, 1980, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 each at £10/US$20

078: Squash-Rackets and Squash-Tennis by Eustace H. Miles; 1st edition of 1901 in small 12mo hardboards externally decorated; with 116 pages. This is the earliest coaching manual on these new sports. I am not aware Squash-Tennis was played in the UK but it was certainly popular around this time in the USA. There is a fold-out diagram of a squash court, as well as plenty of photos and diagrams showing the shots. (feps absent) £150/US$280

RECENTLY PUBLISHED TITLES ON LAWN TENNIS

 
  Item 079
New biographies on Andy Murray and Pete Sampras; Tennis Confidential ll; Tennis Record Book 2008

079: A Champion’s Mind: Lessons From a Life in Tennis by Peter Bodo; 1st USA edition of 2008 in 8vo hardboards and dust-wrapper with 306 pages. Bodo, a most experienced tennis writer, details Sampras’ exceptional tennis career, his rivalries with top players, the stress of touring, and his views and opinions about some of the top players who triumphed before his arrival on the tennis scene. Europe and UK only £20

080: Andy Murray: Hitting Back by Andy Murray with Sue Mott; 1st edition of June 2008 in 8vo hardboards and dust-wrapper with 290 pages. This is already the 3rd Andy Murray book and he is still only 21. But he is a player who attracts many column inches of press and he is definitely in the “love him or hate him” bracket. I tried so hard to get signing sessions at The Queen’s Club but there was no interest. This was a major PR opportunity scorned. But his play in the last few months, especially at Wimbledon and now the win at Cincinnati, shows how well he has matured. This book sheds much light into his private world and what now motivates him in his quest for tennis glory. 2008 sees him fully fit and hungrier for success. £15/US$28

081: From Palm to Power: The Evolution of the Racket by Peter Maxton; 1st 8vo paperback edition of 2008 with 63 pages. As advisor to the Wimbledon Museum rackets collection for many years, Maxton is clearly someone who is well qualified to write this entertaining and informative book, which describes how hand/ball play in Europe gave birth to rudimentary rackets evolving through many stages until they became what we see today. The book is illustrated with many photos of rackets of all eras showing close-ups of various aspects of racket design and manufacture. £10/US$18

 
  Item 080
082: Game of Sphairistike or Lawn Tennis (The) by Walter Wingfield; in small 12mo hardboards and dust-wrapper with 38 pages. This is a facsimile print of the 2nd edition of 1874 of Wingfield’s little rules of lawn tennis booklets. From 1874 to 1875, he published 5 editions, as his rules were modified and as he had more sales information to add. Alan Little, Honorary Librarian at the Wimbledon Library, has recently been locating and identifying all copies known still to exist and at present that number is 21 copies worldwide. He is most anxious to learn of any copies that you may know about so as to check they are on his definitive list. This facsimile opens up the early rules booklets to a much wider audience. £10/US$18

083: Tennis Confidential ll: More of Today’s Greatest Players, Matches, and Controversies by Paul Fein; new edition of 2008 in 8vo hardboards and dust-wrapper with 288 pages. Fein’s first book was full of great tennis stories; this updated sequel “gives readers an insider’s look at the colourful characters, captivating story lines, and heated controversies that headline professional tennis.” Who is the greatest player? Is on-court coaching good for tennis? Where have all the serve and volleyers gone? Should all sets be tie-break? Player interviews, tennis trivia and significa. (UK only) £25

084: Tennis Record Book 2008 edited and compiled by Rino Tommasi; in large 4to paper covers with 372 pages. Here is the 8th edition of Rino’s marvellously informative annual with all the stats of the 2007 season, men and women. It includes winners of the Grand Slams, top 10s and top 100s from 1973 (Men) and 1975 (Women), full draw-sheets for all ATP and WTA events for 2007, head-to-head results for all top men and women, last 16s for all Grand Slams since inception and so much more. I only have 10 copies of this best seller title so please be quick if you want a copy. £30/US$55

085: The Smash! by James Harbridge; 1st paperback edition of 2008 with 211 pages. This new tennis novel is written by a great tennis fan with much inside knowledge. Wimbledon, murder, intrigue, scandal, corruption, drama, all are here in various measures; it is a compulsive read. £8/US$15

086: Tour de Ma Vie (Le) by Catherine Tanvier; 1st French large format paperback edition of 2008 with 506 pages. Believed to be much based on her own experiences on the Women’s Tour, this French language novel tells frankly of the trials and tribulations of a young female tennis player. £10/US$18

087: Wimbledon Compendium 2008 compiled and edited by Alan Little; 18th 8vo paperback edition with 520 pages. Here is the latest of those must-have statistical books which lists and describes every possible Wimbledon fact from longest to shortest matches, all the champions and runners-up, important facts about every year since 1877, how the grounds have changed, seeding lists, left-handed champions, manufacturers of champions’ rackets, rainy days lost, prize moneys, who presented the trophies and when, and so much more. £15/US$28

Item 081 Item 084 Item 088

088: 500 Anni de Tennis by Gianni Clerici; revised and updated edition of 2007 in Italian in large folio hardboards and dust-jacket (weighs c4 kg) with 488 pages. Originally published in 1974 in Italian and thence into English, French and German, here is Gianni’s latest massive history of tennis. It is difficult to know where to start when reviewing a book of this enormity. The reproduction quality seems much improved on earlier editions, especially of the many 100s of illustrations. He has corrected where necessary and brought the content right upto 2007. It is the biggest tennis history! £90/US$170

SLAZENGERS LAWN TENNIS FLICKER BOOKS: In the mid-1930s, Slazengers, Ltd of London published a short series of Flicker books on various sports. There were several on Lawn Tennis featuring Betty Nuthall and Bunny Austin. Flicker books generally are much collected and these tennis titles are interesting and unusual pieces of tennis ephemera. Each of the tennis Flicker books shows two strokes in a large number of photos using a freeze frame technique. Both are in good complete and tight condition.

089: Miss Betty Nuthall Flicker No. 7: Forehand and Backhand Drives. £35/US$65

090: H.W. Austin Flicker No. 9: Forehand and Backhand Drives £35/US$65

 
  Item 091
WIMBLEDON PROGRAMMES: Please note that I no longer buy any Wimbledon programmes other than final editions.

091: Saturday, July 8th 1922: Men’s and Ladies’ Singles finals day at the new ground in Church Road with J.O. Anderson vs G.L. Patterson and then Mlle. S Lenglen vs Mrs. Mallory. This example is quite fragile and worn, partly disbound but it is complete and extremely rare. £250/US$475

092: Wednesday, June 24th 1936: Good condition and no hand-written results. Has been folded but otherwise tight and complete. £40/US$75

093: Friday, July 7th 1950: good condition; signed on the external front cover by Betty Hilton Harrison, Joy Mottram, Tony Mottram, Kay Tuckey, Arthur Larsen and two others, indecipherable. No hand-written results, complete and tight. £25/US$48

094: Last Day Programmes: Men’s Finals Day thus either 12th or 13th day editions: 1960, 1962, 1980, 1983, 1984, 1988, 1989, 1993. £8/US$15

095: Middle Sunday Programmes: Play on the Middle Sunday is exceptionally rare. Editions for 1991 and 1997. £10/US$18

096: Final Editions: Published in a short print run immediately after the end of each Fortnight and containing every result of every event played. 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1976, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1998, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2006, 2007. £15/US$28

097: Final Edition 2008: Here is the latest in this very collectable run of Final Edition programmes which started in the mid-1930s. £10/US$18

TO ORDER ANY OF THE ABOVE BOOKS PLEASE USE THE CONTACT FORM
EMAIL ME DIRECTLY AT alan@tennisbookshop.com,
or phone 01730-816116 (+44 1730-816116 if calling from outside the UK)

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Alan Chalmers