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CATALOGUE 73 - MARCH 2014

A CATALOGUE OF BOOKS AND IMAGES RELATED TO
TENNIS (REAL/ROYAL/COURT)
LE JEU DE PAUME
RACKETS/RACQUETS

LIST OF IMPORTANT CONTENTS

BOOKS WITH RAQUETS/RACKETS CONTENT

It is almost certain that I will be attending the next defence of his title by Rob Fahey at the RMTC. Therefore if you are in Australia and would like me to bring books out with me, saving large postal charges, let me know by end April.

 

INTRODUCTION

This catalogue is published on-line in March 2014. It is about two years since my last on-line catalogue. This long interval is partly explained by a desire to take life a bit more casually, and a noticeable downturn in demand. I have however been able to maintain a very satisfactory turnover by targeting particular books and finding appropriate customers. I even managed recently to transact a very nice copy of Scaino’s “Trattato del Givoco della Palla”.

But it is certain that the outrageous increases in UK postal charges, especially for packets and parcels, has had a seriously negative effect on the viability of mail-order businesses, where profit margins can be quite slender. A routine hardboard book costing £10 can now cost a further £5 or £6 for UK postage. A recent trade comment suggested that a book-dealer in Hampshire might spend as much sending a package to Sussex as he would spend sending the same package to Australia!

I staged a very busy and entertaining exhibition at the Royal Albert Hall for the Statoil Masters week in early December 2013, and experienced a high demand for the modern titles, though I had to keep prices at a sensible level. As ever there was a very big demand for Mansour Bahrami’s book and DVD.

This long list contains a wide variety of titles and images, all of which are related to Tennis (Real or Royal or Court), Le Jeu de Paume, and Rackets or Racquets. The prints and engravings offered in this list are all correct and original; there are no copies on this list! Note that photographs of all the items listed below are available on request; many are on-line within this catalogue.


EXPLANATORY NOTE RE BOOK DESCRIPTIONS


I try to use standard and easy to understand terms when describing my books. “12mo” is about 14cm x 16cm; “8vo” is about 14cm x 21cm; “4to” is about 21cm x 26cm; and “folio” or “elephant folio” is generally anything larger than 4to. All books offered for sale are in at least very good condition and where there are faults, these are described. Any purchase may be returned within two weeks for a full and complete refund if there is a sound reason for this.

Please note that in the case of out-of-print books, it is most likely that I will only have one copy. Do let me know if you are looking for any particular book.

ORDERS AND PAYMENT FOR BOOKS

1. Visa or Mastercard to include 16 numbers, expiry date and CVC

2. Paypal to alan@tennisbookshop.com

3. UK cheque or US$ check made payable to "Alan Chalmers"


Books can be ordered: ** by telephone to +44 (0) 1730-816116 or mobile +44 (0) 7860-395798
** by post to Oaklands Farm Cottage, Oaklands Lane, West Lavington, Midhurst, West Sussex GU29 0EJ, England
** by Fax to +44 (0) 870-7052288
** by E-mail to alan@tennisbookshop.com

Books and images in this catalogue are offered at prices which include UK postage; worldwide airmail postage (or surface by request) will be added to invoices as incurred.

 

001: The Nevers Faience Jeu De Paume Plate

A dinner plate graphically decorated with the scene of Le Jeu de Paume from about 1757, made in France to celebrate the marriage of a son and a daughter of leading Maitres-Paumiers of the period. (CA)

This is a facsimile of the famous (indeed iconic) plate, which is exceptionally rare. Original examples have sold at auction for as much as £25,000. It is a most desirable Jeu de Paume item which appears at auction about once every 10 years.

The plate’s dimensions are 24cm in diameter and it is slightly dished rather than flat. The rim at the back has two small holes to allow for hanging on a wall. It is in mint condition and it is offered at £375.

 

REAL TENNIS BOOKS PUBLISHED IN 2014

 

002: Tennis: Reflections in Time by Michael P. Garnett
1st edition of April 2014 in large 8vo hard boards with c450 pages. The print run will reflect the number of copies pre-sold by advertisement and this is likely to be just short of 200 copies. Copies are expected into the UK in May or June 2014.

This is the last in Garnett’s Tennis history trilogy, the first two being “A Tennis Miscellany“ 2004 and “Tennis Anecdotes & Sketches” 2010. Along with the several other Tennis titles in his bibliography, Garnett can be assured of his place in the Tennis literary world. (CA)

This new title once gain contains an amazing number of newly researched facts and history about Tennis and all spread over some 98 chapters illustrated with over 400 images. Here you will find more details on courts not previously identified, fascinating early nineteenth century information about early Australian Tennis, snippets of scandal, brief studies of famous Tennis names such as Vere Gould who died on Devil’s Island, J.J. Astor who went down with The Titanic, and the Earl of Kilmarnock who suffered an ugly death in the sixteenth century.

Unknown courts include those at Gibraltar, Esher Place and Newhall House. Garnett has scoured early newspapers in Australia and the USA where he has discovered very early references to our game.

Unless you have already ordered a copy, it is unlikely that there will be more than five unsold copies available.

The final Sterling price is not yet decided, as transportation from Australia will have to be costed into the price. But it is likely that the UK price will not exceed £75.

 

003: Wayne Davies on Real Tennis edited by Richard Travers
1st paperback edition of January 2014 published by the Royal Melbourne Tennis Club in 4to format paper covers with 50 pages. This new book is described as “Number 1 in the Royal Melbourne Tennis Club Monograph Series”, so I hope we will see more titles on leading players of the recent decades. (CA)

Travers writes a brief biography of Davies and then he describes his approach to the game, services to use and when, tactics and training and much more and all in just 50 pages. The book is nicely illustrated with photographs of Davies and some of his close rivals.

I think this book was published in a run of 300 copies; this copy is offered at £30.

 

BOOKS WITH RACKETS/RACQUETS CONTENT

004: The Book of Racquets: A Practical Guide to the Game and Its History and to The Different Courts in which it is Played by J(ohn) R(ingwood) Atkins
st edition of 1872 published by Frederick Warne and Co. in England (and by Scribner, Welford in the USA, though I have never seen a USA edition) in small 8vo highly decorative red and gilt boards with 108 pages.

If Scaino’s book of 1555 “Trattato del Giuoco della Palla” is the foundation book in Tennis, then Atkins’ “The Book of Racquets” is certainly the foundation book in Rackets/Racquets. As with Scaino and Tennis, there is no earlier published book on Rackets that deals with the game solely. (ED)

The book is divided into seven chapters, dealing with history, courts and the game, the Close Court, other types of court, school courts, clothes and training, racquets, balls and bats. The book is illustrated with line drawings showing the various courts, implements, and the shots being played.

This experienced Rackets Professional has poured his entire knowledge and experience into making this a very special book to which all subsequent texts refer.

This book is exceptionally rare; I have seen perhaps three or four copies in nearly thirty years of dealing. This copy is as I said earlier in red and gilt decorative boards. Externally it is rather darkened and a little worn at the edges.

This copy is offered at £1975.

 

005: “Racquets, Tennis & Squash” by Eustace Hamilton Miles (born 22 September 1868; died 20 June 1948)

1st USA edition of 1903 in small 8vo green boards externally decorated in gilt and with rackets; with 336 pages.

This is an important book historically speaking as it is the first published in the twentieth century on any of these sports. It is probably only the second or third book on squash. (ED).

Miles was a fitness fanatic and wrote books solely on how to get and stay fit. So this book starts with a section on training. Then he moves onto his three sports, at all of which he excelled. On the title page he lays out his own achievements as:

“Formerly Scholar at King’s College Cambridge Author of ‘Muscle, Brain and Diet’ etc. Amateur Racquet Champion of the World at Singles and of England at Doubles, Amateur Tennis Champion of the World, Holder of the Gold Prize, Amateur Squash-Tennis Champion of America (1900).”

So modesty was not his strong forte! But he was an achiever at the highest level on a court, both in England and the USA. His book contains lots of good advice on fitness, technique and strategy. He discusses leading players in both England and the USA, and even gives us some racket sports history.

The book is well illustrated with photographs, usually of him demonstrating the shots, and there are plenty of line drawings of courts etc.

This copy is in good clean condition, slightly foxed internally and small wear to the spine and corners. It is offered at £250.

 

006: “Rackets, Squash-Rackets, Tennis, Fives & Badminton” Edited by Lord (Clarence Napier) Aberdare (born 02 August 1885; died 04 October 1957)
1st standard edition of the Lonsdale Library Series of 1933 in heavy 8vo hard boards and photographically decorated dust-wrapper with 328 pages. There were also two grades of de luxe editions, both quite rare. (DM)

Several well known exponents of these games have written essays on the history, the technique, major matches and personalities and finally the rules of play as at 1933. These authors were E.M. Baerlein, Captain J. Tompkinson, E. Snell, John Armitage, David Egerton, and Sir George Thomas.

The thirty-two chapters in this book are well illustrated with photographs and diagrams. This copy is in good condition in its dust-wrapper and it is offered at £75.

 

BOOKS SOLELY ON TENNIS: REAL/ROYAL/COURT/LE JEU DE PAUME

 

007: (a) “The Annals of Tennis” by Julian Marshall (born 1836; died 21 November 1903)
1st edition of 1878 in 4to green hard boards with 226 pages. It has been seen in red and blue boards, but the green boards account for 80 to 90% of the known examples.

This is a comprehensive history of Tennis and certainly the major English language book on Tennis in the 19th century (with apologies to Lukin!). The chapters in the book were actually first published in the mid-1870s as stand-alone articles in The Field magazine, later brought together and edited into the book as we know it today. (ED)

Marshall’s history is constantly referred to in virtually all Tennis titles published subsequently, even upto the 21st century titles. His research is greatly admired as was his prowess on the court, winning many tournaments. He was also an expert on racket sports rules, codifying the early Lawn Tennis rules. He was a founder committee member of the first Championships played at the All England Club’s Worple Road ground in 1877.

He covers the early days of the game’s history, discusses tactics and technique, the equipment used, the courts and so much more.

This copy is in good condition, a little spine easing. It has substantial previous owner’s inscriptions. Internally 4 or 5 pages have been reset into the book, which is offered at £650.

 

007: (b) “The Annals of Tennis”
The USA 1973 facsimile reprint of the 1878 original with 226 pages in large 4to green boards gilt decorated. (CA)

This copy is in very good condition; it has a small hand-written previous owner’s signature. It is offered at £95

 

008 (a): “The Art of the Tennis-Racket-Maker, and of Tennis” by Francois Alexandre Pierre de Garsault (born 1691; died 1776)
In the original 1st French edition of c1767, called “L’Art du Paumier-Raquetier et de la Paume”, this appears in large folio size with 38 pages of text describing the game, illustrated at the end with 5 large wood engravings. (CA)

The French edition was probably the leading title on Le Jeu de Paume in the 18th century, and the 5 wood engravings are iconic images of the early manufacture of the racket and ball and court diagrams. This English translation by Catherine W. Leftwich, B.A., was published by the Royal Tennis Court for its members in 1938 in red 4to hard boards with 50 pages, originally bound in a glassine dust-wrapper. The edition was in a run of 200 numbered copies of which the first 150 were reserved for RTC members.

This is copy number 3, thus an exceptionally early numbered copy. Internally it is inscribed as follows: “E. Latham with best wishes Revelstoke June 16 1938” Latham was Professional at Petworth at that time; after the war, he went back to Lord’s. He was the son of Peter Latham, World Tennis Champion 1895-1907 and World Rackets Champion 1887-1902.

Lord Revelstoke was owner of Lambay Island which had a Tennis court.

The book is in very good condition and it is offered at £375.

 

008 (B): “The Art of the Tennis-Racket-Maker, and of Tennis”
This is the 2nd English edition of 1977 published in the USA in small 4to red hard boards inserted into a similar card slip-case with 45 pages and five engravings; it was printed in a run of 750 numbered copies. (ED)

This is the facsimile edition of the 1938 edition; it is in very good condition and it is offered at £75

 

009: “A Celebration of the First 25 Years of the Bristol & Bath Tennis Club 1985 to 2010”
1st paperback of 2010 in small 8vo paper covers with 52 pages. This recently published booklet describes how the new court in Bristol came into existence. (CA) It is offered at £15

 

010: “A Chase Down Under: A History of Royal Tennis in Australia” by Michael P. Garnett
1st standard edition of 1999 published in Australia in large 8to blue hardboards externally photographically decorated; with 501 pages. There is also a de luxe edition of approximately 80 numbered copies in large black hardboards externally decorated, all page edges gilt. (ED)

This marvellous book predates his later title “A Tennis Miscellany”. Whilst the later title was much more internationally based, this title concentrates on the Australian game predominately in Melbourne, Ballarat, Hobart and latterly Romsey. It also post-dates his earlier book “A History of Royal Tennis in Australia”, which this current title updates, corrects and expands. (DM)

The book is a comprehensive study of the early days of the Australian game and discusses how if grew from the first court at Hobart under the watchful eyes of Samuel Smith Travers, who had played on many courts in England before moving to Tasmania. The rest is history and now Tennis (or at the time of writing “Royal Tennis”) is firmly established on the south eastern corner of Australia, where World Champions have been produced.

This copy is in very good condition and it is offered at £50

 

011: “The First Beautiful Game: Stories of Obsession in Real Tennis” by Roman Krznaric
1st small 8vo paperback edition of 2006 with 181 pages. The author is a leading British amateur Tennis player. This is a very readable series of entertaining yarns about many aspects of this most wonderful of games. It covers the historical, the bizarre, the amusing, and much more. I have recently reread this book and was greatly entertained and educated. (CA)

This copy is in very good condition and it is offered at £20

 

012: “The First Fifty Years: A Jubilee History of the Old Etonian Racquets & Tennis Club 1960-2010” by John Ford Par L. C***, Amateur
1st 4to paperback edition of 2010 with 56 pages. The OEs have a large number of active players of both sports, and this book recounts how the Club was formed and matured into the thriving body it is today. (CA) It is offered at £15

 

013: “Fred Covey: World Champion of Tennis” (born 27 July 1881; died 23 July 1957) edited by Neil Covey
1st standard edition of 1994 in tall 4to hard boards and dust-wrapper with 125 pages. There was also a short run of a de luxe edition. (ED)

This is a personal tribute to a famous forebear who was World Champion from 1912 to 1914, and again from 1916 to 1928 when he eventually lost the title in 1928 to Pierre Etchebaster, who held it undefeated until he retired in 1952.

The book consists of a large range of press cuttings describing the many championship matches played by Covey through his fascinating career. The cuttings are arranged in chronological order to the extent that one can almost read through like a proper book of text. Many of the cuttings are supported by photographs of great Tennis players of the period.

This copy is in very good condition and it is offered at £25

 

014: “Hazard Chase” by Jeremy Potter (died 15 November 1997) 1st edition of 1964, here reprinted in 1989 in small 8vo hard boards and dust-wrapper with 192 pages. (ED)

This is the first Real Tennis novel written by a very keen player and author of several books. As with the latest Tennis novel murder/mystery, it seems to be important at which chase you fell! Here Alfred Pratt reopens the High Cheney court and Talbot H Talbot the USA champion takes charge of investigating the case.

This very good copy is offered at £75.

 

015: “The History of the Leamington Tennis Court Club 1846-1996” by Charles Wade
1st de luxe edition of 1996 with 213 pages (all page edges are gilt) in 8vo hard boards and dust-wrapper. This book was published in a run of 60 numbered, each signed by the author. There was also a standard edition.

This is the story of the oldest Tennis club in England and its long and eventful history, from the earliest days of fund-raising by the great and the good of Leamington, good times and bad times, through the Victorian era. And of course, there is much about the establishment of the now universally accepted handicap system, pioneered by the author, who also details the various club events and other tournaments that have been held on the court. (CA)

This copy is in very good condition and it is offered at £95

 

016 (A): “A History of Tennis” by Evan Baillie Noel (born 23 January 1879; died 22 December 1928), and James Oscar Max Clarke (born 26 September 1877; died 02 October 1958)
1st edition of 1924 in two large 4to volumes in blue hard boards and decorative dust-wrappers, volume l with 281 pages and volume ll with 299 pages and the fold-out plate. (ED)

These two volumes constitute the major Tennis title of the period separating Julian Marshall’s “Annals of Tennis” of 1878 and Lord Aberdare’s “The Willis Faber Book of Tennis and Rackets” of 1980. Noel did most of the world, travelling all over the country to measure up the many courts, mostly in private hands at that time, whereas Clarke provided the funding. Clarke also owned the court at Troon, now unfortunately deactivated.

The bulk of this major work was published in stand-alone articles written by E.B. Noel in The Times, The Morning Post and The Field between the years 1910 and 1922, They were then edited and brought together into these two volumes. Originally 800 twin sets were printed at five guineas, a lot for a book in the 1920s. The Oxford University Press decided ten years later that as so few had been sold, they would pulp the unsolds. Thus the true numbers remaining are around 345, of which very few indeed have their dust-wrappers. So this set is very rare.

The book is divided into twelve parts and then seven appendices. It is heavily illustrated and contains towards the end of Volume ll the large fold-out plate which lists every known court and all the critical dimensions, which shows that no two courts are absolutely identical.

There was also published a short run of twenty sets in a de luxe green leather binding which it is believed were produced for Clarke to donate to those who had been of great assistance to the authors during the research and production process.

Every aspect of the game of Tennis is discussed including history, laws, technique, overseas courts, major events, and literature. The appendices have lists of courts, winners of events, Professionals, and the system of scoring,

This set is in very good condition, with lovely and very rare dust-wrappers, that on Volume I has very small absences at the top of the front cover and spine. This exceptional set is offered at £2250

 

016 (B): “A History of Tennis”
1st edition of 1924 in two large 4to volumes in blue hard boards, volume l with 281 pages and volume ll with 299 pages and the fold-out plate. (DM)

This is the same as the item immediately above save for the fact that the very rare dust-wrappers are not present. These books are in good clean condition but with some external board fading and are offered at £900

 

016 (C): “A History of Tennis”
This is a large single volume facsimile reprint from 1991 of the original two volume work originally published in 1924. Its format is large 4to hard boards with 587 pages. There was also published a run of c150 numbered copies in a de luxe edition; this sold very poorly and echoing the demise of half the original print run of the 1924 edition, Duckworth pulped all the remaining unsolds; this means that today only about 45 copies remain. (ED)

This copy of the standard edition is in very good clean condition and it is offered at £100

 

017: “A History of the Royal Game of Tennis” by Albert de Luze (born 21 June 1873; died 24 June 1934)
This is the English translation by Sir Richard Hamilton, Bt. (born 08 September 1911; died 27 September 2001). The book was originally published in French in 1933 as “La Magnifique Histoire du Jeu de Paume”. This English translation was published in 1979 in the USA in an edition of 500 numbered copies in large 4to hard boards and dust-wrapper in a blue card slip-case with 395 pages. (CA)

The book is an amazing history of Tennis upto the early 1930s, with great emphasis on the French game. It is beautifully illustrated; as with French books, the list of contents is at the back of the book. These contain the origins of the game, description of many (at that time) courts in France and elsewhere, a long technical section on the many points of the game with regard to how to play, keepers of modern courts and the results of major championships.

This copy is in very good condition with a hand-written inscription by Hamilton on the title page; it is offered at £250

 

018: “How to Really Play Tennis” by Graham Hyland
1st standard edition of 201 in large 4to hard boards and dust-wrapper with 201 pages. Note the play on words in the title!

This is the latest coaching title in Tennis and it is written by a man who was the mentor for World Champion Wayne Davies, so this is advice worth following. Wayne says: “Quite simply Graham Hyland was, and remains, the most beautiful stroke-player that I have ever seen.” which is quite a recommendation from a World Champion.

He goes on to say: “Reading this book the reader will start to understand Graham’s way of thinking, and if ever they get the chance they should drag him out onto the court where they will also gain an inkling of his enthusiasm for it as well!”

The book starts with early Tennis recollections, and then launches straight into coaching with the services, the return of serve, general play, combination plays, tactics, practice, analysing play, ‘the art of war’, and the greatest players. (ED)

This copy is in very good condition and it is offered at £95

 

019: “Jeu des Rois, Roi des Jeux” compiled by Yves Carlier and Thierry Bernard-Tambour
1st French edition of 2001in broad 8vo paper covers with 182 pages.

This is the illustrated catalogue of a major exhibition of images, books and other collectibles related to Le Jeu de Paume as staged at the Musee National du Chateau de Fontainebleau from 2 October 2001 to 7 January 2002. This marvellous exhibition celebrated the refurbishment of the old Fontainebleau court, scene of a dramatic World Championship match a few years ago when Rob Fahey successfully defended his title against Camden Riviere, a three day match I had the privilege of watching from the front row, whilst writing the on-line game by game report. (CA)

The depth of the exhibits was most impressive including rare paintings, old rackets, 18th century ceramics including the rarest of Nevers plates, books, furniture, tennis balls and much more. Most items are illustrated and they are all described in detail in the text, all of which is of course in French.

It is in very good condition and it is offered at £50

 

020: “Le Jeu de Paume a Orleans” by L’Abbe Th. Cochard
1st French edition of 1888 in 8vo format paper covers with 45 pages; in this example all the tops of the pages remain uncut.

This rare little booklet is an historical description of Paume at Orleans from the sixteenth century onwards, As most tennis courts in France were either destroyed or decommissioned at the end of the eighteenth century at the time of the French Revolution, I rather suspect that was the fate of Tennis in Orleans. (DE)

This copy is in very good condition, as I said earlier with the page tops uncut. It is offered at £100

 

021: “More Than a Yard Worse….” by Jonathan Howell
1st standard edition of 1995 in small 8vo hard boards and dust-wrapper with 173 pages. There is also a de luxe leather bound edition of 50 numbered library copies in blue calf hardboards internally marbled and dust-wrapper; all page edges gilt; internally signed by the author. (ED)

This is the life story so far of an engaging Tennis Professional, how he started at Seacourt, then to Moreton Morrell, then to Bordeaux (now sadly closed down), then to The Oratory where he pioneered Tennis at the famous school, and latterly to Melbourne, though this last move is not in this book.

At his peak, he figured large in the doubles game winning the French and Australian Open, and the British Professional Doubles with Lachie Deuchar. He lays out much excellent advice especially on doubles tactics, and illustrates the book with photographs.

This copy is in very good condition and it is offered at £25

 

022: “The Official History of the Tennis and Rackets Association” by David Best
Published in 2008 in large 4to paper covers with 74 pages. The Author makes this a very readable account of how the governing body was formed and developed over 100 years. (CA) It is offered at £15

 

 

 

023: “The Queen’s Club Story 1886-1986” by Roy McKelvie (born 01 July 1912; died 05 January 1996)
1st standard edition of 1986 in hard boards and very decorative dust-wrapper with 306 pages. There is also a limited de luxe edition of only fifty numbered copies; this is extremely rare. (ED)

This is one of the best written club histories I have read. McKelvie was a great Scottish squash player in the late 1930s and then a lifelong journalist, latterly with the Sunday Express where he was tennis correspondent. He was also Press Officer at the Wimbledon Championships where I first met him.

His study of the club starts with the plan and the raising of the finance. The area was originally a market garden known as The Queen’s Field and they maintained a cricket ground known as the Queen’s Cricket Club and Ground. The founders of The Queen’s Club bought the nine acres of ground and formed The Queen’s Club Limited with a capital of £60,000. Over the 100 years of its life to 1986, sports played there have included football, rugby, athletics, cycling, lawn tennis, real tennis, rackets, squash rackets and more.

What is certain is that the club is a pre-eminent sporting club whose membership was wide and enthusiastic for the club’s success. The upheaval of the last few years is mercifully not covered in this book, although plans for an updated version were tabled but not followed. I suspect there were a few skeletons in a few lockers that were best kept out of the public eye! This is a book of which I am particularly fond as I supplied much of the research for the squash section.

This copy is in very good condition; it has a very small previous owner’s inscription internally; it is offered at £40

 

024: “Real Tennis” by Kathryn McNicoll
Published in 2005 in small 8vo paper covers with 40 ages. This mass produced booklet is a very handy and easy to read historical and instructional booklet mainly for the information of non-players. (CA) It is offered at £5

 

 

025: “Real Tennis in Cambridge: The First Six Hundred Years” by Roger Morgan (born 22 June 1929; died 01 March 2003)
1st standard edition of 2001 in large 4to paper covers with 60 pages.

This is a book whose title tells almost the whole story! Morgan had been president of the club from 1990 to 1995 and was a distinguished writer on Tennis matters, with several historical titles to his credit.

He takes us back to 1410 when the authorities banned the game from being played in the town, traces the history of quite a few courts through the next centuries, all ably illustrated with maps and engravings showing court locations.

Into the twentieth century and the iconic Tennis coach Brian Church features large, and there is text about the Varsity match and the great players who have trained at Cambridge; finally the record of major competitions. (ED)

This copy is in very good condition and it is offered at £25

 

026: “The Royal Tennis Court Hampton Court Palace”
This is a paper cover booklet with 12 pages (small 8vo) published c1970 describing the history of the game, the court, how it is played, the skills required, the balls and rackets. It is illustrated with drawings. (CA)

I suspect this little booklet was originally published for the benefit of public visitors to the court, as the court is usually open to visitors to the Palace. It is offered at £10

 

 

 

027: “Real Tennis World Championship 2010” programme
In small 8vo paper covers with 34 pages. The final was played at the Royal Melbourne Tennis Club. This last copy is signed by Rob Fahey (World Champion), Steve Virgona (Challenger) and Andrew Lyons of The Queen’s Club (Marker). (CA)

It is offered at £15

 

 

 

028: “The Royal Game” edited by Lance Butler & Peter Wordie
Published in 1989 in paper covers (8vo) with 144 pages. Scotland has the oldest court in the world, (at Falkland Palace), albeit without a roof. This scholastic book examines literature in Tennis in earlier centuries; it is well illustrated with early Tennis images. (CA) This copy is offered at £10

 

 

 

029 (A): “Scaino on Tennis” by Antonio Scaino da Salo (born 1524; died 1612)
1st English translation of 1951 taken from the Italian of 1555 by W. Kershaw in small 12mo red hard boards with 319 pages, and notes by Tony Negretti. (CA)

It took 400 years for Scaino’s foundation book on Tennis *”Trattato del Givoco della Palla” to be brought to a wider audience and much of what was written then still makes sense today. I recently bought a copy of the 1555 original for a good five figure amount on behalf of a very content customer.

This English edition was published in a run of 250 numbered copies, each signed by Negretti. This copy is in very good condition but with fading to the red spine. It is offered at £150

 

029 (B): “Trattato del Givoco della Palla”
Facsimile reprint of 1968 with 318 pages in small (12mo) marbled hard boards with leatherette spine and corners in a similar card slip-case. This edition was published in a run of 500 copies. (CA)

The book is an exact printed replica of the original Italian including the wood engravings but on much thicker paper. It is offered at £250

 

030: “The Royal Game of Tennis” by Sir Richard Hamilton, Baronet; (born 08 September 1911; died 27 September 2001)
1st edition of 1973 in small 8vo paper covers with 20 pages.

This little booklet was published as a means to raise funds for redevelopment at the Moreton Morrell Club. It contains short but readable chapters include the History of the Game of Tennis, Royal Exponents of Tennis, The Maitres-Paumiers, The Racket, The Tennis Ball, Ted Johnson, History of the Moreton Morrell Tennis Court, and The Ted Johnson Memorial Fund. (ED)

Johnson had been Professional at the club for an amazing 65 years and died on 2 June 1960 aged 91. The search for funds by the club was centred around Ted and the memory of his long years of service. The original booklet was issued with a slipped-in leaflet in a pocket at the end of the book; this copy lacks the leaflet.

This copy is otherwise in very good condition and it is offered at £25

 

031: “The Royal Tennis Court” by David Best
1st standard edition of 2002 in large 4to hard boards and dust-wrapper with 331 pages. This is one of the great Tennis books of the 21st century so far. It recounts in great detail the complex history of Tennis at Hampton Court, the many building developments over the centuries, the Paumiers, and the great matches. It is profusely illustrated. (CA)

This copy is in very good condition and it is offered at £25

 

 

 

 

032: “Rules & Principles of Tennis” by Pierre Barcellon
English translation of 1987 in small 8vo hard boards and dust-wrapper with 47 pages. The original of 1800 is the rarest of all Tennis book in the bibliography. This is a coaching title from a former World Champion post the French revolution. Only five copies of the original are known. (CA). This copy is offered at £15

 

033: “Rules of the Tennis and Rackets Association; the Laws of Tennis and Rackets” published by the Tennis and Rackets Association
Edition of 1st April 1999 in small 8vo paper covers with 54 pages. I wonder how many of those that play these sports have actually seen and read a copy of the rules. It is certainly educative to browse the rules since no matter how many years one has played; there are always little nuances to learn for the first time. (ED) This copy is offered at £10

 

034: “Sticke Tennis” by Graham Tomkinson
1st edition of 2004 in small 8vo paper covers with 36 pp. This very little known racket sport derives from its promotion in the last 19th century by the army. Somehow it has remained in existence despite only a handful of courts remaining. Today only two courts are active, both of which are over 100 years old. These are at Hartham Park in Wiltshire and at Knighthayes Court in Devon. (ED)

The game is played with Lawn Tennis rackets and balls, but with elements of Real Tennis. Graham’s booklet is very well illustrated with photographs of courts and he has managed to identify the locations of many now defunct courts.

This copy is in unused condition, though signed internally by the author; it is offered at £15

 

035: “Tennis: A Cut Above the Rest” by Christopher Ronaldson
This is the 3rd edition of 1995 in 8vo hard boards and dust-wrapper with 176 pages. Internally on the front board is the bookplate of Max Robertson, who was well-known as a BBC Radio commentator. The book is inscribed by Chris Ronaldson to Max and dated 18th Oct 1995. (CA)

The book has gone into a 4th edition, so popular it has become amongst Tennis players. It is principally a coaching manual with many pages of fine diagrams. The final section is an account of Chris’s life as a Tennis professional in Australia and in the UK.

This copy is otherwise in very good condition and it is offered at £25

 

036: “Tennis: Its History and Its Description” by Eugene Chapus (born 1800; died 1877) with an introductory essay by Edouard Fournier (born 1819; died 1880)
This magnificent book was originally published in French in 1862 as “Le Jeu de Paume: Son Histoire et Sa Description”. It appeared in two editions, a large and a small. The large edition was in large 8vo decorative boards with sixteen plates; the small edition was in 8vo decorative boards with just six plates. In either format it is extremely rare and very desirable.

This English translation was published in Australia in 2006 in large 8vo leatherette boards externally gilt decorated in an edition of only 350 copies. The translation is by Richard Travers, a real tennis scholar from the RMTC. Amongst other subjects, the book discusses the history of Paume, famous professionals, French tennis courts, technique, rules of the game, press remarks on Paume, and the Masson family.

Then there is an analysis of the rulers of France and indications of their interest in the game. The sixteen plates are at the end of the book. They show several of the de Garsault plates, and rare images of Masson and Delahaye.

This copy is in unused condition and it is offered at £95

 

037 (A): “Tennis Origins and Mysteries” by Malcolm D Whitman (born 15 March 1877; died 28 December 1932)
1st USA edition of 1932 in 8vo format hard boards with 258 pages in a print run of 450 copies, originally in a glassine wrapper. This is the distillation of Whitman’s study of the early days of Tennis (Court and Lawn) and how he sees the words we use today came into being. The second portion of this fascinating book contains two bibliographies of books on Court Tennis and then Lawn Tennis. As such the book is a very useful source of tennis literature. (CA)

This copy is very slightly eased internally and comes with the usual slightly rough page edges. It is very rare and this copy is offered at £475

 

037 (B): “Tennis Origins and Mysteries”
Facsimile reprint of 2002 in broad 8vo hard boards with 258 pages. (ED)

This reprint puts this important book into the financial path of many more tennis students of history. As with the original, the full bibliographies are also reprinted here. This mint copy is offered at £50

 

038 (A):“Tennis: A Cultural History” by Heiner Gillmeister
1st English edition of 1997 in 8vo hard boards and dust-wrapper with 452 pages.

This fine study of the history of Tennis in Europe was first published in German in 1990. Gillmeister is the ultimate student of ball sports in Europe and this in-depth book, peppered with huge numbers of notes, makes rewarding reading. He recounts how Tennis and ball play were invented and takes us through the game’s progression and development in the medieval and later periods with great emphasis on the German game. It is heavily illustrated with colour and black and white photographs of great interest to students of the game. (ED)

This copy is in fine condition and it is offered at £100

 

038 (B): “Tennis: A Cultural History”
1st English edition of 1998 in 8vo paper covers with 452 pages. (CA)

This is the English edition reprinted into paper covers. In unused condition it is offered at £25

 

039: “A Tennis Miscellany” by Michael P. Garnett
1st edition of 2006 published in Australia in large 8vo brown leatherette boards externally gilt decorated with 284 pages.

This is one in a series of titles by Garnett, each containing more and more fascinating Tennis history, information and statistics. Somehow the author digs out obscure happenings from history and all related to Tennis, often with an Australian emphasis, but why not. This book has a mighty 70 chapters, albeit most are quite short and each devoted to a Tennis occurrence, always interesting and mostly unknown even to those of us who claim a Tennis knowledge.

The book is profusely illustrated with photographs and engravings showing Tennis people, places and events. (ED)

This copy is in very good condition and it is offered at £50

 

040: “Tennis: The Development of the European Ball Game” by Roger Morgan (born 22 June 1929; died 01 March 2003)
1st standard edition of 1995 in large 4to hard boards and dust-wrapper with 259 pages. There is also a de luxe edition of 100 numbered copies in large 4to hard boards and dust-wrapper with 258 pages. (CA)

Definitely a book for the keen student of the history of Tennis and similar ball games as played across Europe over the centuries. There are far more local variants than one might think and all are related and illustrated with beautiful illustrations.

This copy is in lovely condition and it is offered at £30.

 

041: “Tennis With Real Attitude” compiled by Richard Seymour Mead
1st edition of 2005 in paper covers with 64 pages (small 8vo). This little book was published by Richard as a fund-raiser under the auspices of the Moreton Morrell Tennis Court Club. It contains a number of amusing Tennis orientated cartoons. (CA)

This copy is in very good condition and it is offered at £10

 

042: “A Treatise on Tennis” by a Member of the Tennis Club
Facsimile reprint of 1991 of the first edition published in London in 1822; this edition is in small 8vo dark red leatherette boards with 120 pages, all page edges gilt and a fold-out plate. It is contained in a similar card slip-case. This is the first of those now many Tennis titles to have emanated from Australia. It was published in a short run of just 100 copies; those who bought the book pre-publication have their names listed on a page at the front of the book. (DM)

Actually the author is Robert Lukin, Secretary of the James Street Court in London, and this book is most significant in the Tennis bibliography as it is the first book on Tennis to have been written in the English language, all previous titles having been written in French or German.

Lukin’s book contains hints on playing the game, descriptions of courts which existed in England at the beginning of the nineteenth century, observations on rackets, and the first set of rules of play in the English language.

It is most unusual for a copy of this book to appear on the market. This copy is in mint condition and it is offered at £150.

 

043 (A): “A Treatise on Tennis” by Samuel Smith Travers (born 26 March 1826; died 08 March 1888)
The first edition was published in Hobart in 1875; known copies total less than 10 at present. This facsimile copy was published in Australia in 1985 in a de luxe edition of 12 copies and a standard edition of 388 copies and quickly sold out. It has been further republished in 2012 in a smaller print run of 120 copies.

This 1985 standard edition is in small 8vo red boards with 72 pages, and a further 34 pages of appendices and the rules of play, and finally engravings showing various images of tennis.

At the front are photos of Tompkins, Stone and Barre as well as photos of the Hobart court. At the end of the book are the 12 plates which include a fold-out plate of the James Street court, upon which the Hobart court was based. Travers still has descendants in Australia; he is considered to be the father of Australian Royal (now Real) Tennis and he was responsible for the court at Hobart. Though not a great player himself, he brought Thomas Stone out from England as his professional. The book is mostly a coaching manual with some early history. (ED)

This copy is in very good condition, with a previous owner’s signature on the front end paper; it is offered at £175.

 

043 (B): “A Treatise on Tennis”
This is the 2nd facsimile reprint dated 2012 in small 8vo format brown leatherette boards with 72 pages and a further 34 pages of notes and appendices. (CA)

The book was published in an edition of 120 copies, of which the first 75 copies were pre-allocated and the names were listed on an insert sheet. This copy is offered at £100

 

044: “Treatise on the Royal Game of Tennis” by Louis-Claude Bruyset de Manevieux (died December 1793)
This is the English translation by Richard Travers of de Manevieux’s original French work “Traite sur La Connoissance du Royal Jeu de Paume, et ses Principes” published in France in 1783. This English translation was published in Australia in 2004; it is presented in green leatherette boards externally gilt decorated in 8vo format with 98 pages; published in a print run of 300 copies.

The French edition is exceptionally rare; I have seen two copies in nearly thirty years. It is a description of Le Jeu de Paume in France just as the French Revolution came to a head (poor analogy!) after which the game virtually disappeared in France. He claims his book is the first in France on the subject (which it was not) and he explains the two types of courts in use, the Dedans court and the Quarre court. He deals with professionals and talks much of style. The author was guillotined in 1793! (CA)

This copy is in unused condition and it is offered at £150.

 

045: “Tudor Tennis: A Miscellany” by Roger Morgan (born 22 June 1929; died 01 March 2003)
1st standard edition of 2001 in tall 4to hard boards and dust-wrapper with 175 pages. There was also a deluxe edition.

The author dismisses myths about the foundation of our game as coming from the monasteries and instead goes for the more recent theory that the game started in the streets of north Italy, perhaps as far back as the twelfth or thirteenth centuries. His encyclopaedic research also reveals why Tennis is associated with the Worshipful Company of Ironmongers which provided balls.

He wanders through the streets of London revealing unknown courts, all illustrated with street plans and engravings. And finally he describes Tennis in Italy.

This copy is in very good condition and it is offered at £25

 

046: “Two Centuries of Real Tennis” by John Shneerson
1st standard edition of 1997 in 8vo hard boards and dust-wrapper with 86 pages. There was also a de luxe limited eition.

This was a story that had to be told as it was all about the reclamation of an old Tennis court by a small band of enthusiasts who eventually achieved their dream in that the court came back into use after many years as a garage repair shop. Shneerson also recounts the early history of Tennis in Newmarket under the ownership of Sir Charles Rose. The book is well illustrated with early Tennis photographs etc. (ED)

This copy is in very good condition and it is offered at £50

 

THE MAJOR TENNIS AND RACKETS TITLES WRITTEN BY Lord (Morys George Lyndhurst) Aberdare (born 16 June 1919; died 23 January 2005)

 

047 (A): “The Willis Faber Book of Tennis and Rackets”
1st de luxe edition of 1980 in large 4to blue and gilt decorated leatherette boards, internally marbled boards and end papers; all page edges are gilt and with 368 pages. The book is enclosed in a blue card slip-case and was published in a numbered print run of 250 copies, each signed by the author. (ED)

This is considered the major title on Tennis and Rackets of the last fifty years of the twentieth century. The author was an exponent of both sports at a high level and won many championships. His book has a twin thread of Tennis and Rackets wherein each is covered as to earlier centuries, the basic principles of play, masses of history of courts, players and events, and much more.

A major draw for this book is the presence of excellent location biographies wherever there is a Tennis or Rackets court in the world, its history and major players etc.

Throughout the book is profusely illustrated with engravings and photographs. At the end of the book is the full record of major event winners since the inception of the events, which in the case of the World Championship goes back as far as 1740.

This copy is in unused condition; it is very rare and a most desirable book for collectors. It is offered at £250/

 

047 (B): “The Willis Faber Book of Tennis and Rackets”

This is the standard edition of 1980 in large 4to hard boards and dust-wrapper with 368 pages. (ED). This copy is in very good clean condition and it is offered at £10

 

047 (C): “The Willis Faber Book of Tennis and Rackets”
This is the standard edition of 1980 reprinted in 1998 in an edition of 300 copies, each bearing a numbered book-plate signed by the author. (ED)

This copy is in very good clean condition and it is offered at £10.

 

048 (A): “The J.T. Faber Book of Tennis and Rackets”
1st de luxe edition of 2001 in large 4to green and gilt decorated leatherette boards, internally marbled boards and end papers; all page edges gilt and with 415 pages. The book is enclosed in a green card slip-case and was published in a print run of 150 numbered copies, each signed by the author. (ED)

This is the substantially revised and updated edition of “The Willis Faber Book of Tennis and Rackets”. All club reports have been reworked and brought upto date, as has the large records section of championships at the end of the book.

This copy is in unused condition and it is offered at £150.

 

048 (B): (The) RACQUET GAME
This is the standard edition of 2001 in large 4to hard boards and dust-wrapper with 415 pages. (ED)

This copy is in unused condition and it is offered at £10.

 

 

BOOKS WHICH CARRY A CHAPTER ON TENNIS AND/OR RACKETS/RACQUETS

049 (b): “Academie Universelle des Jeux”
Published in France by Corbet Aine in 1825 in tiny (7cm x 10.75cm) leather boards with 460 pages, all page edges gilt.

Editions of this book have been published ever since the early part of the eighteenth century and it runs into many editions. It is a compendium of many sports and pastimes as practiced by the French in general and the Parisians in particular. So you will find all manner of card, board and parlour games described; at page 513 onwards there is a neat description of Paume. (ED)

This little book is a useful addition to the Tennis bibliography; it is in good condition and it is offered at £100.

 

050: “A New Book of Sports”
1st edition of 1885 as “Reprinted from the Saturday Review” in small 8vo hard boards with 376 pages and further pages of advertisements.

This is a late Victorian compendium of many sports mostly outdoors. Field and athletic sports are well covered and at page 81 and for 9 pages is a chapter called “The Other Tennis”, immediately followed by a chapter called “Giuoco del Pallone”. (ED)

These two chapters each contain articles or essays on the two games, as to their history, leading players of the period and the style and technique of play.

This copy is in very good condition and it is offered at £20

 

051: “Plaisirs & Jeux Depuis les Origines” by Gaston Vuillier
1st French edition of 1900 in large 4to hard boards with 344 pages. This is a beautifully decorated book with very many illustrations of the various games and pastimes being played. (ED)

This is one of a number of similar French language books that carry chapters on many aspects of French sporting life. It goes through fishing, croquet, cricket, dancing, chess, and much more. And of course there is a section on La Balle, La Paume, Le Ballon and so on.

This lovely book is in good condition internally; externally it is a little bit worn but its spine is resplendent. Offered at £50

 

052: “The Sporting Magazine; or Monthly Calendar on the Transactions of the Turf, the Chace, and every Diversion Interesting to the Man of Pleasure, Enterprise and Spirit” for November 1798

This is a very rare copy of the complete original edition of “The Sporting Magazine”, a popular monthly for sportsmen of all types, especially field sports, which receive considerable coverage. But most unusually there is a two page essay on “The Game of Tennis”. This largely devotes itself to details of the court with much emphasis on scoring and the odds related to gambling over results. Any text in English on Tennis in the eighteenth century is exceptionally rare. I know of no other texts that predate this one.

This magazine is a small 8vo in paper covers with approximately 70 pages; it is in good condition and is offered at £75

 

053: “Sporting Pie” by Frederic Bonhote Wilson (born 21 September 1881; died 19 January 1933)
1st edition of 1922 in 8vo hard boards with 286 pages.

This is a lovely book to read; it recounts stories of sporting events witnessed by the author who loved sports as played by gentlemen. Thus amongst other sports, we have cricket and real tennis. Freddie was a contemporary of W.G. Grace and played with and against him on a number of occasions. He was a very experienced sporting journalist whose prose was much admired. (DM)

This important copy is inscribed internally to Peter Latham, World Real Tennis champion, whose property it once was. It is in quite good condition and it is offered at £195

 

054: “The Young Sportsman” edited by Alfred E.T. Watson
1st edition of1900 in large 8vo red hard boards with 663 pages.

A late Victorian compendium of many sports and pastimes as enjoyed by young boys and girls at the start of the twentieth century. Almost every type of athletic sports is here and amongst those is Fives by E.L. Fox, Lawn Tennis by N.L. Jackson, Rackets by E.O.P. Bouverie, and Tennis by G.E.A Ross. (ED)

Tennis is treated to 14 pages of fascinating description including history, major players and of course technique, all illustrated with court and racket drawings.

This copy is in good clean condition and it is offered at £20.

 

BOOKS ON RACKET SPORTS COLLECTIBLES, ANTIQUES, BOOKS ETC

 

055: “The Art of Tennis 1874-1940” by Gary H. Schwartz
1st edition of 1990 in large 4to format paper covers with 171 pages.

He concentrates exclusively on the images of tennis, whether they are magazine illustrations and covers, advertising images, and postcards. The book is heavily illustrated with examples of all these categories.

This copy is in very good clean condition and it is offered at £10

 

056: “Early Lawn Tennis in Great Britain as shown by Photographic Images” compiled by Brandt Rowles, Gerald Gurney and Chris Elks
1st edition of 2006 in large 4to format paper covers with 82 pages. (ED)

Some marvellous examples of Victorian lawn tennis photographs illustrate this fascinating book.

This copy is in very good condition and it is offered at £10.

 

057: “Racket Sports Collectibles” by Robert T. Everitt
1st edition of 2002 in large 4to hardboards and dust-wrapper with 304 pages.

This instantly became the tennis collectors’ bible when it was published and it is easy to see why. It is a most comprehensive review of every aspect of racketana, much of it from the author’s own collection. (ED)

The book is divided into self-contained sections including;

1: Books, Trade Catalogues, Programmes, Newspapers and Magazines.

2: Printed Ephemera, Games and Cards.

3: Photographs, Prints and Original Artwork.

4: Racket Sports Equipment.

5: Porcelain, Ceramics and Glass.

6: Silver and Metalware.

Each item is photographed and supported by a short descriptive text. And finally a market value in Sterling and US Dollars is allotted to each item.

This copy is unused condition and it is offered at £50.

 

058: “Tennis Antiques & Collectibles” by Jeanne Cherry
1st large 4to format paper covers with 200 pages.

This is probably the first major review of the racket sports collectibles market and what there is to be found. The many sections include rackets, balls and cans, presses, fashion, ceramics, silver, books, art, prints, photographs, and much more.

The book is most profusely illustrated throughout with a huge number of colour photographs showing many items in close-up. There is a fairly heavy USA emphasis on the manufacturers and the many items illustrated.

This copy is in very good condition and it is offered at £20.

 

059: “Tennis, Squash and Badminton Bygones” by Gerald N Gurney
1st edition in small 8vo format paper covers with 32 pages.

The author is a noted collector and exhibitor of racket sports ephemera. His little book describes the history of the sports and illustrates them with many examples of his own collection. (ED)

This copy is in very good condition and it is offered at £10.

 

IMAGES INCLUDING PRINTS, ENGRAVINGS, CHROMOLITHOGRAPHS

All images are ready for mounting/matting and framing behind glass

 

060 (A): “Dernier Jeu de Paume a Paris, Passage Cendrier, Demoli en 1861”
This is the entire edition of the French newspaper “L’Illustration, Journal Universel” dated Saturday 18 May 1850. The newspaper contains 16 pages of text on various stories, several illustrated with engravings.

The Jeu de Paume image shows a fine court with a doubles match in progress, the marker at the net. Of particular interest is the large number of chase lines typical of the French courts even today as seen at Fontainebleau. (CA)

This image measures 22cm x 14.5cm and it is offered at £45.

 

060 (B): “Dernier Jeu de Paume a Paris, Passage Cendrier, Demoli en 1861”
This is the single sheet taken from the French magazine described above. (CA)

The image measures 22cm x 14.5cm and it is offered at £25

 

061: “Henry the Eighth Playing Tennis”
Taken from a late Victorian magazine, this is an imaginary scene showing the King in a singles with the galleries full of courtiers of both sexes. The reverse of the image bears part of an article on Tennis. (CA)

The image measures 17.5cm x 14cm and is offered at £20

 

062: “Interior of the Fleet Prison, the Racket-Court”
This is a page taken from a 6 volume series of books called “London Old and New” published around 1870. The books recount the history of London with much of what was described and illustrated having been demolished by then. (CA)

This is an iconic image showing the interior of the prison yard with a game of rackets going on in the background. It shows an open court around 1808 when the game of Rackets was evolving from the time when the debtors entered the prison carrying their tennis rackets and balls.

This image measures 20.75cm x 14.5cm and is offered at £50.

 

063: “Le Nouveau Jeu de Paume au Jardin des Tuileries”
This is the complete edition of a French newspaper called “Le Journal Illustre” on Sunday 11 April 1880 with 8 pages in folio size, that is 28cm x 37.5cm; the image being the front page. The image measures 21.75 cm x 28.5cm. In the photograph, a portion of the image at the top is not shown. On pages 114 and 115 is a short article describing the scene. (CA)

The newspaper is offered at £50.

 

064: “The Prince of Wales Playing at Tennis Ball, in the Tennis Court, Oriel Street, Oxford.”
Taken from “Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper” published on August 18, 1860, this image of the old court shows The Prince of Wales being taught by the Professional whilst at the service side. (CA)

The image measures 23cm x 17cm and is offered at £25.

 

065 (A): “Mr. William Hart Dyke, M.P.” Sept 4 1875 (born 07 August 1837; died 03 July 1931) Published in “Vanity Fair” where his knick-name of “a whipper” is used as the title. This is an original Vanity Fair chromolithograph and its supporting page of text where his brilliance as a rackets player is mentioned. (CA)

He became the seventh Baronet, P.C., D.L., J.P. Besides his prowess at Rackets, he was also proficient at Lawn Tennis being a very early player and a member of the MCC Committee which framed the first accepted rules of Lawn Tennis.

The pages measure 24.5cm x 38cm and are offered at £95.

 

 

065 (B): “W Hart Dyke autograph” This is a signed slip bearing the signature of “W Hart Dyke”. It is offered at £50

 

 

 

066: “Opening of the New Prince’s Club, by the Prince of Wales: The Tennis Match Between Mr. A. Lyttleton and C. Saunders”
Published in “The Graphic” on May 25 1889, this is the full page which contains the match image as the lower half of the page. The artist draws as from in front of the Grille with a player taking a backhand shot at the hazard end. There is a marker at the net and the galleries appear full. (CA)

This image is in its original uncoloured form, and it is offered at £25.