For sale is an uncommon 1930s era LES STOEFEN ARROW TENNIS RACQUET made by WRIGHT & DITSON Manufacturers, Boston, MA. Both sides of the racquet feature a photo image of American tennis champion, Les Stoefen. The racquet also features Wright & Ditson maker’s mark. The racquet is in overall good condition but has some condition issues. The leather collar at the bottom of the handle is missing. The racquet has some warping and surface wear. The original red & white strings are all intact and unbroken. The handle is also marked “Wright & Ditson Makers – Made in the U.S.A.” The racquet measures 26 3/4 inches long and 9 inches at its widest. A great vintage tennis collectible.
Les Stoefen was born in 1911 and was an American tennis player who was at the top of his game during the 1930s. In 1934, he won grand slam Wimbledon Doubles tournament. In 1933 and 1934, he won U.S. National Championships.
In 1871, the Wright & Ditson Company was founded by George Wright and Henry A. Ditson each owned sporting good companies. In 1891, the company was purchased by Spalding who decided to continue making Wright & Ditson tennis racquets and balls into the 1940s. In the 1930s, the company name changed to “A.J. Reach, Wright & Ditson”. Both Reach and Wright played for Boston’s National League team during the 1877 season.
In 1874, Major Walter C. Wingfield made the very first tennis racket was made in London. In 1947, advances in laminating technology resulted in the first tennis racket made of laminated wood. In 1968, a steel tennis racquet was brought to market with aluminum racquets being introduced in the 1970s.
