Apologies for being lax in posting an update, however this year was a really interesting one mainly due to the number of interesting items which came up, some of which I never expected to ever see and some I have never even imagined existed.
From the Australian innovations perspective let’s start with the Jepson Machine Gun Ball machine. First marketed in 1928 this all electric unit could shoot balls on different angles, spins and speeds. Details are in the main pages.
Here I am next to it. It was sold from 1928 to 1935 and units went around the world to the main clubs and were demonstrated locally in the major department stores.
About 7 years ago I came across an article in a 1935 newspaper about this weird open throat racquet which appeared at a Toowoomba tournament that was dubbed Mary. The model was imported from Continental Europe into Australia by Spider Web in South Melbourne and decorated and strung as the SPEED BAT. It is a truly modern looking frame which back then was considered quite outlandish even next to the Hazell SpeedShaft used by UK Davis Cup player Bunny Austin.
Also a remarkable trophy shield arrived. The Victorian Championships Ladies Doubles title shield presented from 1890 to 1896 until being retired by the Howitt sisters. Phoebe Howitt was also the Victorian and New South Wales singles champion and was known as the Australasian Champion for a couple of years.
We also found a rare photo decal model exclusive to Australia featuring William Tilden in later years around 1938-1942 on a DUNLOP 5 STAR model. It is the only known example.
Over in France another highly unique racquet was found and sold on ebay for $4000. The Kateb, Paris expanded shaft also circa 1935-1940. Never seen anything like this before.
From the UK in the early 1920′s comes this all metal, bandage grip, steel strings model from HOBBIES who made other home handyman tool kits and homewares. They had quite and extensive catalogue.
You must log in to post a comment.