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Horsman “8” Flat Top “Prize” Antique Lawn Tennis Racket c.1884-5
Estimated price for orientation: 7 500 $
Category: Fine Racquets
Class:
Description Brand: Horsman Country/Region of Manufacture: United States Model: "8" Country of Manufacture: United States
Horsman “8” c.1884-5 Flat Top “Prize” Lawn Tennis Racket - Presented 1890The attached images are of a Horsman “8” c.1884/5 flat top prize lawn tennis racket – with reasonable certainty, this was the prize for Ellen Crosby Roosevelt, the winner of the 1890 Women’s Singles Title - the third Women’s U.S. Championship held in Newport, RI. She defeated the 1888 and 1889 champion, Bertha Townsend in two straight sets. She also won the doubles title with her sister Grace the same year. They were the first pair of sisters to win the U.S. Championships and remained the only pair to do so until the Williams sisters equaled their achievement in 1999. At the 1893 U.S. Championships she won the mixed doubles title partnering with Oliver Campbell. She was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1975. (See Wikipedia).Ellen Crosby Roosevelt (born 1868 in Rosendale, New York – died 1954, New Hyde New York). First cousin of American President Franklin D. Roosevelt – she started playing tennis with her sister Grace in 1879 when her father installed a tennis court at their mansion, ‘Rosendale’.This racket is designed the same as the “The Casino” model, originally made in 1884/5 with changes made to the handle, throat, etc. (see below) in order to make it worthy to be presented to the U.S. Championships Singles Winner in 1890. Ellen Roosevelt’s initials “E.R.” are etched into the silver medallion and adhered to the racket’s throat. Based on the following, it can be surmised with reasonable certainty that this was her “presentation” (aka “prize”) racket for the third Women’s U.S. Championships Singles title, held in Newport, RI in 1890:· Make – Horsman was the “maker” of presentation rackets for the U.S. Championships during the early 1890’s.· Style – Presentation rackets were made with a laminated wood handle and partially laminated throat during the early 1890’s (and possibly prior).· Medallion – The winner’s initials were etched on the surface of the metal medallion, which was attached to the racket’s throat (wedge).The handle is inlaid with different varieties of wood, as is the throat. The collar is missing, evidenced by the brass pins found on the lower neck. The strings look to be original, strung in the typical English style of that era with white (natural) verticals and red horizontals. 27.25" long x 8.75" wide*Please wait for your invoice before paying - invoice will include cost of shipping, insurance and signature confirmation.
Description
| Brand: | Horsman | Country/Region of Manufacture: | United States |
| Model: | "8" | Country of Manufacture: | United States |
Horsman “8” c.1884-5 Flat Top “Prize” Lawn Tennis Racket - Presented 1890The attached images are of a Horsman “8” c.1884/5 flat top prize lawn tennis racket – with reasonable certainty, this was the prize for Ellen Crosby Roosevelt, the winner of the 1890 Women’s Singles Title - the third Women’s U.S. Championship held in Newport, RI. She defeated the 1888 and 1889 champion, Bertha Townsend in two straight sets. She also won the doubles title with her sister Grace the same year. They were the first pair of sisters to win the U.S. Championships and remained the only pair to do so until the Williams sisters equaled their achievement in 1999. At the 1893 U.S. Championships she won the mixed doubles title partnering with Oliver Campbell. She was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1975. (See Wikipedia).Ellen Crosby Roosevelt (born 1868 in Rosendale, New York – died 1954, New Hyde New York). First cousin of American President Franklin D. Roosevelt – she started playing tennis with her sister Grace in 1879 when her father installed a tennis court at their mansion, ‘Rosendale’.This racket is designed the same as the “The Casino” model, originally made in 1884/5 with changes made to the handle, throat, etc. (see below) in order to make it worthy to be presented to the U.S. Championships Singles Winner in 1890. Ellen Roosevelt’s initials “E.R.” are etched into the silver medallion and adhered to the racket’s throat. Based on the following, it can be surmised with reasonable certainty that this was her “presentation” (aka “prize”) racket for the third Women’s U.S. Championships Singles title, held in Newport, RI in 1890:· Make – Horsman was the “maker” of presentation rackets for the U.S. Championships during the early 1890’s.· Style – Presentation rackets were made with a laminated wood handle and partially laminated throat during the early 1890’s (and possibly prior).· Medallion – The winner’s initials were etched on the surface of the metal medallion, which was attached to the racket’s throat (wedge).The handle is inlaid with different varieties of wood, as is the throat. The collar is missing, evidenced by the brass pins found on the lower neck. The strings look to be original, strung in the typical English style of that era with white (natural) verticals and red horizontals. 27.25" long x 8.75" wide*Please wait for your invoice before paying - invoice will include cost of shipping, insurance and signature confirmation.