Dunlop first entered into the tennis sports equipment market in 1923 with Dunlop Tennis balls. They also produced tennis shoes and by 1932 Dunlop was manufacturing two million pairs a year. The Dunlop Maxply Tennis racquet was first produced in 1932 and dominated the wooden racquet market for the next 50 years. This racquet was made from a mix of nine different woods. The Maxply was favoured by legendary tennis players including Evonne Goolagong Cawley, Lew Hoad and Rod Laver who was using a Dunlop Maxply when he won all four Grand Slam tournaments in a row, something he achieved in 1962 and 1969. Sport activities including tennis have always been an important community pursuit in Wodonga and District. This racquet was used in competition at the Talgarno Tennis Club in the 1960s and 1970s.This item is significant because it represents a popular community activity and a successful manufacturer in Australia.A vintage wooden tennis racquet with a leather hand grip. It features coloured decals including the brand name added to the racquet head and the handle. There is also an outline map of Australia. The frame is also painted.On racquet frame: MAXPLY DUNLOP JUNIOR On handle: Your Servecommunity sport, wodonga and district, talgarno

This tennis racquet press would have been used to hold the head of a tennis racquet so that the tennis racquet head did not buckle.Blue painted wooden Dunlop brand tennis racquet press with metal lever and springs.on front top - "Dunlop" ..."recreation, sports, burgess, veronica, george evans collection

Tennis racquet press would have been used to hold the head of a tennis racquet so that the tennis racquet head did not buckle.Metal tennis racquet press with two wing nut screws and springs at each end."B with an A & G inside" "Made in Australia"recreation, sports, burgess, veronica, george evans collection

Tennis racquet press would have been used to hold the head of a tennis racquet so that the tennis racquet head did not buckle.Brown wooden tennis racquet press with metal screws in each corner, three screws have a spring on them."Sondico" on frontrecreation, sports, burgess, veronica, george evans collection

Tennis racquet and racquet head press. Dunkop brand maxply model racquet. Unbranded press. Materials: Wood, Nylon, Leather, Metaltennis

This tennis racquet press was placed on the tennis racquet to stop the wooden frames of racquets from warping.Rectangle shape double wooden racquet press held together by wing nut screws in each corner - one corner has hinged screw.sports, george evans collection

This racquet belonged to Miss Florence (Florrie) Carlson, born on 25/1/1892. She resided at 62 Station Street, Sunbury.Wooden tennis racquet with black, red and plain gut strings. Piece broken off end of racquet handle. Frame broken on one side and repaired with string. Other side repaired with tape. Racquet possibly restrung since these repairs, although several strings are still broken.tennis, recreations, carlson, florence, staib, phyllis, sports, racquets, george evans collection

This tennis racquet was used by Veronica Burgess to compete in tennis matches.A wood Dunlop International Junior tennis racquet with leather wrapped handle. Dunlop stamped in yellow on end of handle."Dunlop/International..."sports, recreation, george evans collection

The tennis racquet belonged to John Phillips who used it in the late 1950s / early 1960s. It was not a new racquet when Ihe started using it, but a pass-me-down from his father. He purchased his first new racquet in the mid 60s and gave this racquet to the Orbost Museum to go in the racquet press so that people would have an idea of what the item (press) was used for - to stop wooden framed racquets with gut strings from warping. John played tennis at Orbost Tennis Club from 1969-1981 - vice president 1971-77, president 1977-81, secretary of Orbost & District Tennis Association 1975-81. He is a Life Member of the Orbost Tennis Club (1980). John is also a Life Member of the Orbost & District Historical Society.This item is an example of an early piece of sports' equipment which was manufactured using different materials.A wooden tennis racquet with a reinforced cane handle. The handle has a black leather grip. The frame is wooden ash with gut strings.ALL ENGLAND Genuine Weather Proof SLAZENGER Reinforced Cane Sealed finishtennis-raquet sport recreation phillips-john orbost-tennis-club

Dunlop Maxply Fort tennis racquet. Tag attached to racquet states: To Mr Geoff Pollard...Tennis Aust...'This is an old racquet that Rod Laver used' and is signed by '????? Laver'. Name unclear and object history not verified. Materials: Metal, Wood, Leathertennis

Dunlop Maxply 'Gussie Moran' tennis racquet and racquet press. Perforated leathr handle grip. Gut strings. Materials: Metal, Wood, Gut, Leathertennis

A Dayton tennis racquet, with a steel head and throat, and, wooden shaft and deep-grooved handle. Racquet strings made from piano wire. Racquet head stringing continues through into the fully opened throat. Materials: Wood, Metal, Glue, Lacquer, Paint, Leather, Ink, Cordtennis

A Dayton tennis racquet, with a steel head, and small, open throat, and, wooden shaft and deep-grooved handle. Racquet strings made from piano wire. Decal inscription on obverse: NEW/DAYTON/RACQUET. Materials: Wood, Metal, Glue, Lacquer, Leather, String, Ink, Painttennis

A Dayton tennis racquet, with a steel head, and small, open throat, and, wooden shaft and deep-grooved handle. Racquet strings made from piano wire. Decal inscription on obverse: NEW/DAYTON/RACQUET. Materials: Wood, Metal, Glue, Lacquer, Leather, String, Ink, Painttennis

Two part object. A Dunlop 'Maxply Fort' racquet and a red vinyl racquet head cover. Materials: Wood, Paint, Adhesive tape, Leather, Plastic, Nylon, Vinyltennis

Two part object. A Dunlop 'Maxply Fort' racquet and a red vinyl racquet head cover. Materials: Wood, Paint, Adhesive tape, Leather, Plastic, Nylon, Vinyltennis

Snauwaert ' Caravelle' tennis racquet Materials: Metal, Wood, Leathertennis

Brewer 'Black Hawk' model racquet Materials: Wood, Leathertennis

Slazenger Victory model tennis racquet Materials: Wood, Leathertennis

A Dayton Junior Pilot tennis racquet, with a wholly steel frame. Racquet strings made from piano wire. Racquet head stringing continues through into the fully opened throat. Decal of model features on left side of shaft. Materials: Metal, Glue, Lacquer, Paint, Leather, Ink, Cord, Stringtennis

A Wilson 'Jack Kramer Staff 110' racquet. Paper swing tag attached to racquet states: 'FITTED WITH A FAIRWAY GRIP'. Materials: Graphite, Fibreglass, Adhesive tape, Leather, Nylon, Plastictennis

A Dayton Pilot tennis racquet, with a steel head and open throat, and, wooden shaft and deep-grooved handle. Racquet strings made from piano wire. Racquet head stringing continues through into the fully opened throat. Metallic badge features on shaft on obverse, with the image of a tennis player below the inscription: DAYTON/STEEL/RACQUET. Decal of model features on right side of shaft. Materials: Wood, Metal, Glue, Lacquer, Paint, Leather, Ink, Cordtennis

A Hobbies' steel tennis racquet, with a vinyl handle grip winding up the tapering shaft to the open throat. Head of racquet is tension tightened, as can be seen by the screw, nut, and spring projecting from the base of the head. Racquet string is piano wire. Materials: Metal, Glue, Paint, String, Glue, Vinyl, Leather, Inktennis

A Wilson 'Jack Kramer Staff 110' racquet with no net. Paper swing tag attached to racquet states: 'FITTED WITH A FAIRWAY GRIP'. Materials: Graphite, Fibreglass, Adhesive tape, Leather, Plastic, Papertennis

Multi-part object of 4 identical racquets (parts are numbered from 2008.977.1 to 2008.977.4). Each racquet is: a Paramount 'Speed King Autograph' racquet with no net. Materials: Wood, Paint, Leather, Stringtennis

A Wintide racquet. Materials: Composite Materials, Plastic, Adhesive tape, Nylontennis

Spalding 'Davis Cup' model racquet Materials: Wood, Leather, Vinyltennis

Hedleys 'Model de Luxe' tennis racquet. Materials: Wood, Leathertennis

A Dayton tennis racquet, with a steel head, and small, open throat, and, wooden shaft and deep-grooved handle. Racquet strings made from piano wire. Small metallic plaque on shaft on obverse, with image of tennis player, reads: DAYTON/STEEL/RACQUET. Materials: Wood, Metal, Glue, Lacquer, String, Paint, Leather, Inktennis

A Blackburne Advanced Racquet Systems Ltd. 'DS 107' racquet. Double strung net. Handle wrapped in clear plastic factory wrap. Materials: Metal composite, Plastic, Adhesive tape, Nylon, Leathertennis