The Chesterfield Racquet factory began c 1923 and was located in Hyle St Alexandria, NSW. The primary timber was Canadian Ash, imported as wood blocks. The parent company Best & Gee is still operating today and owns numerous business entities and investment properties. Combined with Chesterfield, the business also manufactured timber shaft golf products and owned Festival Records. Golf products evolved with new metal materials under the brand name PGF (Precision Golf Forging). These divisions were sold to other groups in the mid 1970’s and since golf was the prominent product range, racquet production ceased shortly afterwards.

Since Alexander’s commenced their factory in Tasmania in 1926 and ceased production in 1961, The Chesterfield brand may deserve the title as the longest lasting Australian made brand 1923-1975 (to be confirmed).

Like many Australian racquet makers, the export market was important for volume sales and an American Tobacco Company, Liggett & Myers, who owned Chesterfield cigarettes became the USA distributor post war. Consequently, you will find racquets available in the USA and ads appearing in tennis magazines with tag lines such as ” On the court it’s flash…in a cigarette it’s taste”

This Ad is from The Courier Mail 30-4-1934.

I really like the aggressive marketing approach via the trade in offer, plus the staggered warranty according to how long you owned the racquet.

They even had a promotion running to giveaway a few racquets.

Down the bottom there is also reference to J.O.Anderson signing on as an endorsed pro after a long association with Alexander’s.

The two brands here are the Magician and the Super Stroke available in oval or flat top models.

Below, a recently acquired TruFlex model in fair condition, but since they come up rarely for sale with main graphics intact it is worth adding them to the site until better examples are found. Not sure of vintage but c 1940’s at a guess. The head on this model is more circular than oval which is interesting also.