Physical description

A real tennis racquet, with tilt-top head, and solid convex throat, manufactured by Brouaye, and presented as a trophy. Manufacturer's name is across crown on obverse.The throat piece is wrapped in a blue coloured piece of parchment, and is gold embossed with decoarative floral designs. Amongst these designs on the obverse, is the date '1860'. The handle is wrapped in padded pink velvet, and is framed by a braided silver collar around the shaft, and a braided silver butt cap. Engraved inscription across the silver collar: JUNIOR PRIZE RACQUET/WON BY/B.M. DAVIES ESQ./1860. Davies was an undergraduate student at Oxford from 1860-62, and won this, the Junior Prize in 1860, and later, the Senior Prize in 1862. A point of interest, the 1862 racquet trophy was once owned by Australian tennis champion, Lew Hoad. Materials: Wood, Lacquer, Glue, Metal, Gut, Ink, Hide, Velvet