Back to the main page Back to category Wilson New
watch details
Brand New, mint, rare, Wilson Jack Kramer Autograph, Soft Light, Ca. 1981
Estimated price for orientation: 259 $
Category: Wilson New
Class:
Description Condition: New: A brand-new, unused, unopened, undamaged item in its original packaging (where packaging is applicable). Packaging should be the same as what is found in a retail store, unless the item is handmade or was packaged by the manufacturer in non-retail packaging, such as an unprinted box or plastic bag. See the seller's listing for full details. See all condition definitions- opens in a new window or tab ... Read moreabout the condition Brand: Wilson Grip Size: 4 1/2” Model: Jack Kramer Autograph Professional Select Model
This is a very rare, mint condition, brand new, never strung, wooden Wilson Jack Kramer Autograph, soft light, Professional Select Model. • This frame is absolutely straight • Ca. 1981 • Very pristine Genuine Leather grip • All logos and decals mint • Wrappings are in beautiful A1 condition • Special lamination The production of the Jack Kramer Autograph was discontinued in 1984. This is a special edition "soft light", professional selected model; endorsed by Jack Kramer for Championship play This is one of a kind and was part of a special Jack Kramer collection.A brief summary of the history of Wilson Sporting Goods Co. (abbreviated from “Book of Tennis Rackets” by Siegfried Kuebler: The Ashland Manufacturing Company (which was to become Wilson Sporting Goods Co.) was originally incorporated in 1910 as a subsidiary of Schwarzchild and Sulzberger, a leading Chicago meat packing company. In addition to meat products, Schwarzchild and Sulzberger had been in the business of selling surgical sutures and gut for stringing tennis rackets since 1898. Both items were by-products, derived from the intestines of sheep. The “Ashland Corporation” began operating in 1913, but not until 1914 did they offer a short line of inexpensive tennis rackets, baseballs and baseball shoes for sale. Thus the true birthday of Wilson Sporting Goods Co., one of the largest companies of this kind in the world, was May 15, 1914. C.F. Sulzberger realized the potential of sporting goods and he hired Earnest C. Seaton from A.C. Spalding Bros., then a dominant sporting goods manufacturer in the U.S. Seaton was able to negotiate a contract for a sizable quantity of gut to Spalding Bros. In 1915 Ashland became the agent for E. Kent Co. and the Paramount tennis ball. WW I was raging in Europe and England was blockading Germany. Sympathetic toward his native land, Sulzberger, in spite of the risks, attempted to send cured and canned meat to Germany. The Brits protested and the banks made demands that the Sulzberger family could not meet. Their reputation had suffered since the American public was in complete sympathy with the Allied cause. The decision was made to change the name of the meat company from Sulzberger and Sons to Wilson & Co. in 1916. This name was accepted easily since America President Woodrow Wilson was very popular. The name change was not enough for the bankers. They selected coincidentally Thomas E. Wilson to restructure the company. He was not impressed with the Ashland operation and thought it best to dispose of it. However, there was only one offer and Wilson deemed it way to low. It was a blow to his pride and he decided to keep Ashland and invest into the company. In 1917 the Ashland name was changed to Thos. E. Wilson & Co. and Seaton named President. In 1918 a tennis racket factory was bought. When Seaton resigned Lawrence Blaine Icely was named President of Thomas. E. Wilson Co. Icely was General Sales Manager for Wright & Ditson-Victor Company. He was supposed to bring Wilson to the top of the sporting goods industry. Thos. E. Wilson & Co. became the exclusive distributor of the English made Ayers tennis ball and Dunlop golf balls. Sales had reached the million dollar mark in 1918 and a near 50% increase in 1919 taxed the manufacturing capacity. In 1920 Wilson acquired the Chicago Sporting Goods Co. and National Baseball Manufacturing Co. Maurice McLoughlin was the first tennis player signed to an exclusive contract which covered an Autograph racket in the Wilson line. This signing sparked Icely’s interest in the advisory concept. The Wilson Advisory Staff got its start in 1922. The Advisory Staff for tennis at first was made up of 4 to 6 members (later many more). The famous Pro Staff line (this name is still used today) has its roots in this ‘professional’ Advisory Staff. In 1923 Wilson merged with Western Sporting Goods Company. The new name was Wilson-Western Sporting Goods Co. This name did not change until 1931 when the Wilson Sporting Goods Co. was founded.
Description
| Condition: | New: A brand-new, unused, unopened, undamaged item in its original packaging (where packaging is applicable). Packaging should be the same as what is found in a retail store, unless the item is handmade or was packaged by the manufacturer in non-retail packaging, such as an unprinted box or plastic bag. See the seller's listing for full details. See all condition definitions- opens in a new window or tab ... Read moreabout the condition | Brand: | Wilson |
| Grip Size: | 4 1/2” | Model: | Jack Kramer Autograph Professional Select Model |
This is a very rare, mint condition, brand new, never strung, wooden Wilson Jack Kramer Autograph, soft light, Professional Select Model. • This frame is absolutely straight • Ca. 1981 • Very pristine Genuine Leather grip • All logos and decals mint • Wrappings are in beautiful A1 condition • Special lamination The production of the Jack Kramer Autograph was discontinued in 1984. This is a special edition "soft light", professional selected model; endorsed by Jack Kramer for Championship play This is one of a kind and was part of a special Jack Kramer collection.A brief summary of the history of Wilson Sporting Goods Co. (abbreviated from “Book of Tennis Rackets” by Siegfried Kuebler: The Ashland Manufacturing Company (which was to become Wilson Sporting Goods Co.) was originally incorporated in 1910 as a subsidiary of Schwarzchild and Sulzberger, a leading Chicago meat packing company. In addition to meat products, Schwarzchild and Sulzberger had been in the business of selling surgical sutures and gut for stringing tennis rackets since 1898. Both items were by-products, derived from the intestines of sheep. The “Ashland Corporation” began operating in 1913, but not until 1914 did they offer a short line of inexpensive tennis rackets, baseballs and baseball shoes for sale. Thus the true birthday of Wilson Sporting Goods Co., one of the largest companies of this kind in the world, was May 15, 1914. C.F. Sulzberger realized the potential of sporting goods and he hired Earnest C. Seaton from A.C. Spalding Bros., then a dominant sporting goods manufacturer in the U.S. Seaton was able to negotiate a contract for a sizable quantity of gut to Spalding Bros. In 1915 Ashland became the agent for E. Kent Co. and the Paramount tennis ball. WW I was raging in Europe and England was blockading Germany. Sympathetic toward his native land, Sulzberger, in spite of the risks, attempted to send cured and canned meat to Germany. The Brits protested and the banks made demands that the Sulzberger family could not meet. Their reputation had suffered since the American public was in complete sympathy with the Allied cause. The decision was made to change the name of the meat company from Sulzberger and Sons to Wilson & Co. in 1916. This name was accepted easily since America President Woodrow Wilson was very popular. The name change was not enough for the bankers. They selected coincidentally Thomas E. Wilson to restructure the company. He was not impressed with the Ashland operation and thought it best to dispose of it. However, there was only one offer and Wilson deemed it way to low. It was a blow to his pride and he decided to keep Ashland and invest into the company. In 1917 the Ashland name was changed to Thos. E. Wilson & Co. and Seaton named President. In 1918 a tennis racket factory was bought. When Seaton resigned Lawrence Blaine Icely was named President of Thomas. E. Wilson Co. Icely was General Sales Manager for Wright & Ditson-Victor Company. He was supposed to bring Wilson to the top of the sporting goods industry. Thos. E. Wilson & Co. became the exclusive distributor of the English made Ayers tennis ball and Dunlop golf balls. Sales had reached the million dollar mark in 1918 and a near 50% increase in 1919 taxed the manufacturing capacity. In 1920 Wilson acquired the Chicago Sporting Goods Co. and National Baseball Manufacturing Co. Maurice McLoughlin was the first tennis player signed to an exclusive contract which covered an Autograph racket in the Wilson line. This signing sparked Icely’s interest in the advisory concept. The Wilson Advisory Staff got its start in 1922. The Advisory Staff for tennis at first was made up of 4 to 6 members (later many more). The famous Pro Staff line (this name is still used today) has its roots in this ‘professional’ Advisory Staff. In 1923 Wilson merged with Western Sporting Goods Company. The new name was Wilson-Western Sporting Goods Co. This name did not change until 1931 when the Wilson Sporting Goods Co. was founded.