Wright & Ditson Tennis, Golf, Basebal & Sporting Goods

George Wright and Henry A. Ditson each owned sporting good companies in the 1870s. Wright & Ditson company was founded in 1871 and was bought by Spalding in 1891, however the name was continued on tennis rackets & balls till into the 1940's. In the 1930s the company's name was "A.J. Reach, Wright & Ditson and ownded by Spalding since 1891.

Al Spalding, A. J. Reach and George Wright all played for Boston's National League baseball team in 1877. These 3 athletes and business men were all key players in the early sporting goods and athletic apparel in the late 1800's and early 1900's. For more detailed information on these companies and specifically the lawn tennis history and equipment including rackets, balls & cans I recommend reading the excellent sections in Book of Tennis Rackets by Sigfield Keubler or Tennis Antiques and Collectibles by Jean Cherry. Click for Tennis History Books ...

Regarding tennis rackets, up until 1882 lopsided or tilt top rackets were made. After 1882, triangular flat top were produced. The W&D logos were stamped into the wood in the throat area. By 1883, the tilt was abandoned for the now classical symetric head rackets and by 1885 the oval shaped racket was introduced.

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Tennis Equipment

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Below are pictures of a good selection of Wright & Ditson tennis rackets and several famous books including the Rules of Lawn Tennis book :

• Open Throat All American racket
• Nice decal for Open Throat All American racket
• Cloth wright & ditson label
• tennis racket wright & ditson handle butt end
• wright & ditson racket stamp
• Bill Tilden racket
• Challenge Cup racket
• Challenge Cup racket
• Challenge Cup racket
• Open throat Eagle racket
• Open throat TopFlite racket
• 1900 circa Surprise antique racket
• Bill Tilden racket
• Park racket
• Park racket
• Park racket
• Rules of Lawn Tennis BOOK
• Newport CANE racket
• Newport CANE racket stamp closeup
• Newport CANE racket throat closeup
• wavy wedge racket
• All American racket

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BaseBall Equipment

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Below are pictures of a few vintage Wright & Ditson baseball bats & Catalog :

• 1889 Racket & Ball Add
• 1889 Ball Add
• 1908 LaJole baseball bat
• 1908 LaJole baseball bat label
• Mint Victor baseball bat
• Mint Victor baseball bat label
• Mint Victor baseball bat butt end
• 1908 Sports Catalog showing baseball equipment

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Golf Equipment

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Below are pictures of a few vintage Wright & Ditson golf items :

• Golf Ball Box
• mashie hickory golf club
• niblick hickory golf club
• putter hickory golf club