Wingfield’s tennis set
The game in a box that made lawn tennis a sport for everyone.
In 1874 Major Walter Clopton Wingfield patented a game he called Sphairistikè, from the Greek word for ball game. It was sold in a box with rackets, balls, net and rules.
The game quickly became popular on English lawns and was soon called lawn tennis. The first championship at Wimbledon was held as early as 1877.
Materials: Wooden rackets, rubber balls, net and posts
Manufacture: Sold in boxes by French and Co in London from 1874.
The racket’s lopsided, pear-shaped head.
The sparse strings and the long, straight handle.
The rubber balls, which made play on grass possible.