WELLINGBOROUGH.- There are not many tennis memorabilia sales like this one at BUDDS that includes items from a 300 year period, beginning in the reign of French King Louis XV up to the 2020s.
One of the fascinating items in the sale are two smashed tennis racquets used by John McEnroe and gifted by him to the owner of the house he stayed at in Wimbledon, to be close to the courts. The racquets were first seen on the BBC Antiques Road Show where they were much admired. They date from 1977-80 and are estimated at £3,000 - £5,000 each. One of them is signed by McEnroe and includes the message: “Thanks for the memories – good or bad!”
John McEnroe smashed and autographed Wilson Jack Kramer tennis racket, Wimbledon c.1977-80
John McEnroe smashed and autographed Wilson Jack Kramer Pro Staff wooden tennis racket, Wimbledon c.1977-80, made in U.S.A., with 4 5/8" grip, autographed on the shaft in blue ink by McEnroe “Thanks for the memories, Good or bad!”, broken on both sides of the head and held together with the strings.
The racket was gifted to a staff member of the residency McEnroe would regularly stay at during Wimbledon, as featured in Antiques Roadshow series 34, Wimbledon 1, signed at a later date.
Alongside these two smashed racquets also included is a white and red Wimbledon tennis polo short-sleeved shirt, c.1983-84, Sergio Tacchini The shirt was gifted to a staff member of the residency McEnroe would regularly stay at during Wimbledon £400 - £600.
Then there are the ‘Real Tennis’ racquets that are no bigger than squash racquets dating from the reign of King Louis XV of France, 1735-93. If ever a pair of racquets could speak what tales would these two racquets have to tell! Estimate £12,000 - £15,000. They were owned by the tennis world champion in his day, Antoine Henry Masson, who was the racquet maker to King Louis XV.
Rare and important demi-paume 18th century real tennis racquet by Antoine Henry MASSON (1735-1793), not stamped.
Paumier-raquetier (racquet maker) to King Louis XV of France, Antoine Henry Masson’s quality as a paumier-raquetier had been recognised from the age of 9 and by the 1750s he had come to the attention of the King of France. He played in matches within the Court of France, and was a maker of racquets and balls and was officially Paumier to King Louis XV, the Prince of Condé and the Duke of Chartres.
Masson purchased the tennis court on the rue de Grenelle-Saint-Honoré in Paris on 21st February 1778 from his brother-in-law Jean Pierre Barcellon, son of Guillaume Barcellon. He also bought the tennis court on rue Mazarine in Paris. Masson is considered the world champion between 1765 and 1785. Mannevieux wrote in his book in 1783 “the famous Masson, from his youth, surpassed the virtuosos of the great players of the years 1745-1755.” In April 1767 he embarked to play in London and on 16th April contested against the best English players and it was on this occasion that the artist John Hamilton Mortimer (1740-1779) painted Masson’s portrait, the subject seen in playing dress and holding what appears to be a very similar racquet to the one being offered here.
Racquets of this era were constructed from ash or basswood that was burnished in an oven with oak sawdust. The shaft has two large racquet nails. The Sheep gut cross strings are looped around the riser strings.
Small area of wood splitting to outside of one upper corner of the face, some exit hole damage and slightest separation to shaft.
In his work of 1767 ‘Art du paumier-raquetier et de la paume’, Garsault explains that there were three types of real tennis racquets made: Ordinaire, demi-paume & battoir. The Ordinaire was used with the standard, heavily weighted ball of about 60gr. and was of a robust construction accordingly. Masson’s racquet is a demi-paume and was used in matches using a half-weight 30gr. ball, so consequently the racquet is much lighter and slender in construction.
Weighing just 170grms. The length of the racquet is 55cm, the same length as a comparable racquet sold at Graham Budd Auctions in 2011 and 2022. The head at its widest is 16.5cm, the frame depth is 17mm whilst the handle gently flares to be 20mm at the butt end, with 98 written in ink.
Andy Murray’s white Adidas tennis shoes from Wimbledon 2013 final in which he beat the Serbian player, Novak Djokovic are another outstanding lot in this sale. The shoes are being sold by former Head Groundsman at Wimbledon. Estimate £1,000 - £1,500.
Andy Murray 2013 Wimbledon Final: a pair white Adidas Barricade adituff tennis shoes, UK size 11.5, in used condition, with COA from Grant Cantin former Head Groundsman at Wimbledon.
The shoes relate to the historic win by Andy Murray in the 2013 Wimbledon men's final when Andy defeated Novak Djokovic 3 sets to love to win the Men's singles champion, Murray became the first British man since Fred Perry in 1936 to win the Wimbledon title and the first Scottish man since Harold Mahony in 1896 to win the title
A Pat Cash racquet used in his victorious 1987 final, and brandished as he made history in another way too by climbing up through the delighted crowd to greet his family. This racquet was gifted by him to his stringer, Derek May. Estimate £2,500 -£3,500.
Pat Cash 1987 Wimbledon Champion - a match used Prince magnesium Pro Series 90 racket, damage to stringing, autographed black and white match used headband and blue match used sweatband (3).
All items in the above lot were used by Pat Cash during his Championship winning run in the 1987 Wimbledon Championships. The items were gifted to his stringer Derek May as a thanks for being his stringer during the tournament. We are unable to identify which match they relate.
