Rod Laver Grand Slam Vintage Wooden Tennis Racquet
Sports equipment and manufactured artifact, laminated wood and gut/synthetic stringing • Manufactured for the Dunlop sports brand, associated with tennis legend Rod Laver
Style & Movement
Mid-20th Century Sports Memorabilia and Industrial Design
Medium & Technique
Selected English ashwood, laminated wood veneers, applied varnishes, screen-printed lettering, and tightly woven gut or nylon strings
Creation Period
Circa 1970s
Dimensions & Format
Standard adult tennis racquet size, approximately 27 inches in length
Subject Description
A vintage wooden tennis racquet featuring laminated multi-tone wood grain, white protective head wrapping (head guard), original synthetic or gut strings in a standard grid pattern, and red printed branding including the text 'Grand Slam' on the throat and 'Rod Laver' signature with 'SELECTED ENGLISH ASHWOOD' on the shaft
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good vintage condition with expected signs of age, use, and handling, including minor scuffing on the head wrap and light surface wear to the varnish
Estimated Market Value
$50 - $150 USD
Auction Estimate
$30 - $80 USD
Provenance History
Pertains to private sporting goods collections or nostalgia markets, likely acquired during the peak of wooden racquet usage in competitive tennis prior to the dominance of graphite composites
Art Historical Significance
Significant as a representative artifact of the transitional era of tennis equipment before the technological revolution of synthetic composite materials, carrying the commercial endorsement of Australian tennis great Rod Laver
Notable Features
Distinctive red cursive signature of tennis champion Rod Laver and the prominent 'Grand Slam' graphic branding on the laminated ashwood throat
Condition Issues
Minor wear and discoloration to the white protective head tape, localized scuffs and abrasions to the wooden handle and frame, normal aging of the varnish finish
Conservation Recommendations
Store in a stable, climate-controlled environment away from direct sunlight and extreme humidity fluctuations to prevent warping of the wood and degradation of the strings; keep un-tensioned or loosely hung if displayed