Vintage Spalding-Ardmore Wooden Tennis Racket
Sports Equipment / Decorative Object, Laminated Wood with Gut Strings • Manufactured by A.G. Spalding & Bros.
Style & Movement
Industrial Design / Vintage Sports Memorabilia
Medium & Technique
Laminated wood construction, painted finish, varnished handle, and traditional gut stringing
Creation Period
Mid-20th Century (Circa 1940s-1950s)
Dimensions & Format
Standard adult tennis racket format, approximately 27 inches in length
Subject Description
A classic vintage wooden tennis racket featuring dark green painted shoulders and handle, accented with red and white striped whipping/bindings near the throat and grip. The throat prominently displays the Spalding-Ardmore decal with the iconic Spalding athletic emblem.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair to Good. Shows noticeable surface wear, paint chipping on the wooden frame and handle, and age-related patina consistent with use and age.
Estimated Market Value
$50 - $150 USD
Auction Estimate
$30 - $80 USD
Provenance History
Acquired through general estate or secondary vintage markets; typical of mid-century suburban American sports equipment usage.
Art Historical Significance
Represents the traditional era of tennis before the introduction of steel, aluminum, and composite graphite rackets in the late 1960s and 1970s. Exemplifies mid-century American sporting goods branding and manufacturing.
Notable Features
Retains its original factory decals, including the distinct Spalding-Ardmore label and the gold script lettering on the handle reading 'A.G. Spalding & Bros.'
Condition Issues
Paint loss and flaking along the green painted shaft and throat, surface scuffs, minor wood abrasions, and potential tension loss in the vintage gut strings.
Conservation Recommendations
Keep in a stable, low-humidity environment away from direct sunlight to prevent further wood warping and paint degradation. Clean gently with a dry or slightly damp microfibre cloth.