Condition
10
10: New
9: Mint
8: Excellent
7: Good
6: Fair
5: Average
4: Below Average
3: Poor
|
Rarity
8
10: Impossibly rare
9: Extremely rare
8: Hard to find
7: Fairly rare
6: Uncommon
5: Common
<4: Big Seller
9: Mint
8: Excellent
7: Good
6: Fair
5: Average
4: Below Average
3: Poor
9: Extremely rare
8: Hard to find
7: Fairly rare
6: Uncommon
5: Common
<4: Big Seller
– – – – – – – – – – –
About This Racket
Borg was contracted to use Bancroft rackets worldwide from 1977 to 1979 and then in 1980 restricted to use only in the U.S. but eventually he was won over by Donnay. Donnay sponsored Björn Borg from 1975 to 1983 with a contract of around $600,000 a year, plus royalties. On a high from Borg’s success Bancroft made several Borg special editions. This racket could be the best of them all in terms of looks and design. The black and white livery is out of this world, especially with jet black strings! However Borg did not agree, in 1979 after back-to-back testing he decided he preferred the way Donnay Pro handled. So he had the new Donnay Borg Pros painted as Bancrofts so he could preserve his contract.
Historical Photos
Specifications
Measurements | Value | Performance | Score |
---|---|---|---|
Weight | 360g | Power | 19/100 |
Head Size & Length | 65sq in | 27inch | Control | 41/100 |
Balance | 5pt head heavy | Spin | 40/100 |
Grip | Perforated leather | Handling | 78/100 |
Strings | 18 x 20 | synthetic | Comfort | 89/100 |
Flexibility | RA 43 | Consistency | 59/100 |
About Bancroft
Bancroft was a very traditional wooden racket company from USA. It was extremely successful in the 60s and 70s and produced some amazing rackets and nice innovations including the use of Bamboo. However it failed to expand outside of USA and failed to adapt to new materials and technologies of the 80s 90s. When Borg switched to Donnay, the writing was on the wall for Bancroft.
Gallery
Bancroft by Time
Year | Event |
1882 | Founded by Frederick J. Bancroft in Pawtucket, Rhode Island |
1906 | Bancroft is manufacturing over 35,000 rackets a year |
1912 | Bancroft offers its first racket under its own name (“The Bancroft”) |
1915 | Bancroft patents the 3-ply laminated racket |
1920s | Bill Tilden, world’s top player, uses Bancroft |
1941 | Bancroft introduces the “Streamliner” model |
1940s | The Bancroft brothers sell the company |
1950s | Bancroft introduces its first aluminium tennis racket |
1960s | Bancroft begins using fiberglass in their rackets |
1976-80 | Borg uses a stock and custom Bancroft |
1976-79 | Billie Jean King uses a custom Bancroft |
1978 | Bancroft introduces the Scorpion, their first graphite racket |
1984 | Bancroft is acquired by Spalding |
1990 | Bancroft ceases operations |