What is This? - Now For Sale

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Posted By: Ben

I got this a number of years ago from an older woman who collected tennis memorabilia. Any idea what its for and how old it is? Is there any value to it?

Ben

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Posted By: Tom Russo

Interesting item. At first glance, I thought it might have something to do with squash but the neck is so thin I doubt it would stand up to a squash or tennis ball, more likely badminton.

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Posted By: Frank Wakefield

Well I'd like to know what it is...

Is it warped or is that the original shape?

What names and writing is on it??

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Posted By: Mark Steinberg

I can definitely make out "AG Spalding & Sons". Sure has a neat, antique look to it (whatever it is...)

Ben...
I'm sure there is some significant value to this piece. It looks to be in great condition for something of this vintage. What are the measurements of the face of the racquet, and how many inches long is it in total?

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Posted By: Rhys

I grew up in Maine and seem to recall something that looked like this at one time and I was told it was used for indoor Field Hockey. I think they used a softer ball and this sort of raquet and it was not as brutal and dangerous (probably better on the Gym Floor too) but I could be wrong. This is just what I was told by an old dude at an antique show. It makes sense if you have ever seen a field hockey stick but who knows.

Rhys

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Posted By: Joann

Just based on the curve in the stick, I think it was used to play something in which the ball (or whatever) is near the ground. It doesn't make sense to have the hitting surface offset from the axis of control if you are trying to hit something up in the air, waist high or higher, like tennis or badminton. It only makes sense if you are trying to reach down and hit something near the ground and off to the side or in front.

So I'm with Rhys at least as to speculating on something that is used in a ground-based game. I would think that normal field hockey sticks would be okay for indoor use though. Unless they changed the ball for indoor use. Then there would be some need for a different stick.

Maybe it was something like hockey or whatever, but they used something like a tennis ball (but less bouncy and fast - this racquet head looks much too small to be able to use a tight fast ball).

Joann

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Posted By: Ben

A lot of interesting theories. I am leaning towards the field hockey or something of that nature. To answer earlier questions the stick measures 31" long and the strung area is roughly 6" x 8". It is marked as having been produced by Spalding. There is a decal on either side that reads

????BALL (cant make out the first 4 letters)
OFFICIAL
PAT PENDING

The fourth letter might be an R.

Ben

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Posted By: Frank Wakefield

I think Rhys is onto something....

Unless it is warped that way, it must have been for hitting something on the ground. A soft ball seems likely, something big enough that the ridge of the racket would fit under the curvature of the ball. And indoor makes sense for a game like that. And an indoor game would most likely be from up north...

I recall as a kid in Kentucky some new kid in town brought out this huge softball, from some sort of ballgame played up north, maybe near Chicago. Bats and bases, and this huge ball that wasn't going to be hit very far...

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Posted By: Matt

It's a vintage florball stick, which I guess is floorball today. It's an indoor field hockey game.
Here's a link to a website with some info on the sport. The stick has evolved with time.
Nice pick up. Haven't seen too many of them.

http://www.nycfloorball.com/?id=whatis

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Posted By: Ben

Matt,

Thanks for solving the mystery. After you said it was a vintage Florball stick, I did a google search and found this...

http://www.sports-memorabilia-museum.com/miscellaneous-history/1930s-florball-racket.shtml>

Edited to add - Does anyone have an idea as to value? Unfortunately, the one in the link above was sold.

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Posted By: Keith

I saw an almost identical "stick" at either an antique show recently, and I am fairly sure that in addition to a makers mark (which I can't recall) it had "field tennis" printed on it

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Posted By: Joe K.

Interesting Picture

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Posted By: Joann

Wow. Cool. If the hitting surface is about 6x8, then maybe they could and did use an actual tennis ball. The similarity to a tennis racket is unmistakeable, the stick (with that head size) probably able to handle the size and speed of a tennis ball, and tennis balls existed and were widely available at the time.

J

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Posted By: Ben

I'm reviving this old thread because I've decided to sell this interesting/unusual piece. It just doesn't fit into my collection. I am willing to listen to all offers as I don't know the value and haven't been able to find anything on the internet. Drop me an email at Nhale5516@aol.com if interested. Thanks!