tennishistory.com.au

While collecting Tennis memorabilia is still quite affordable, items are definitely on the increase or at the very worst holding up well in the current economic crisis. This doesn’t just apply to racquets, balls, presses and other equipment maintain strong demand. There are still plenty of low cost woodies from the early 1900’s around to keep values at under $50 but when something special comes along you can bet the collectors come out in force.

This very nice Slazenger Demon Fishtail has just sold for AUS $786 plus freight and is consistent with the Hazell Streamlines of similar high quality.

While many might believe that value is in the older racquets, let me assure you that the unusual graphites and odd shaped racquets are also bringing huge dollars. Recently a Wilson Javelin sold for $350 US.

If you own a collection of old or unusual racquets hang on to them since they continue to rise in value.

I have been amazed at the way you can buy and sell tennis memorablia for a profit as long as you understand the global demand for various brands and specific collectible items.

Collecting tennis memorabilia is great fun. There is plenty of items around and normally the prices are pretty average.

Another interesting facet is that many collectors have varying parameters. Some like memorabilia by decade, player, manufacturer and materials ( metal,aluminium etc). Please visit the links on www.tennishistory.com.au and see other interesting collections from racquets to tennis balls.

Good luck hunting out some bargains………… Rod

This week was I was very lucky to find a 1981-85 Head String Lock Edge. Having never seen one before, I thought what an interesting stringing system. Each string is independent, allowing an owner to simply replace the one string which had broken. I jumped on the phone to my stringer and he recalled the system as being quite a good idea. I realise that many players hold the view that when one string goes they all should, but that was never the way. In the 1900’s they used to replace strings when they looked like breaking but never did the full restrings like they do today. One can’t imagine Norman Brookes explaining he needed 7 racquets strung on match day to whatever exact requirements and this included yesterdays unused racquets which had to have their strings cut out and replaced. I kid you not this standard practice today. Anyway the Head String Lock is a very rare example of an unusual stringing system which may well have been ahead of its time.

Head String-Lock Edge