Vintage Wooden Tennis Racket with Manufacturer Markings
Sports equipment / Antique manufactured object made of laminated wood, gut string, and textile wrapping • Manufactured by George Lee Co., New York
Style & Movement
Industrial Design and Antique Sports Memorabilia
Medium & Technique
Laminated wood construction, steam bending, adhesive bonding, gut stringing, and decorative thread wrapping
Creation Period
Early 20th Century, circa 1910s-1930s
Dimensions & Format
Standard adult tennis racket head proportion, approximately 9 to 11 inches wide at the head and overall height exceeding 24 inches
Subject Description
An overhead view of the head and throat of a vintage wooden tennis racket resting on a textured fabric surface, featuring laminated wooden layers, original gut strings with some breakage, and characteristic colorful whipping or winding at the throat and head junctions
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair to Good condition for an antique sports item, showing natural patina, surface scuffs, and some broken internal gut strings
Estimated Market Value
50 USD to 150 USD
Auction Estimate
30 USD to 80 USD
Provenance History
Likely sourced from a private estate collection or antique sports equipment collection in the United States, bearing the original manufacturer stamp of George Lee Co., New York
Art Historical Significance
Significant primarily for sports history and material culture rather than fine art, documenting the evolution of tennis equipment manufacturing and the transition from solid to laminated wood construction in the early 20th century
Notable Features
Clearly legible maker stamp 'George Lee Co. New York' at the throat, decorative red-and-black whipping threads securing the laminated frame structure
Condition Issues
Age-related surface wear, scratches on the wooden frame, and broken/frayed gut strings near the top and bottom of the string bed
Conservation Recommendations
Clean gently with a soft, dry cloth to preserve original patina; avoid moisture and extreme humidity fluctuations; store in a temperature-controlled environment away from direct sunlight