Prince-Classic

Head | Prince

Prince Classic 110 (1976)

Condition
6
10: New
9: Mint
8: Excellent
7: Good
6: Fair
5: Average
4: Below Average
3: Poor
| Rarity
5
10: Impossibly rare
9: Extremely rare
8: Hard to find
7: Fairly rare
6: Uncommon
5: Common
<4: Big Seller
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About This Racket

In 1969 several manufacturers tried larger head sizes but were limited by flex due to use of wood in the head. In 1972, German Kurt Klemmer designed the first oversized tennis racquet, the “Bentley Fortissimo” manufactured by Snauwaert and the size was 101 inches. Only 12 were made. Howard head made the Prince classic out of aluminium and asked for exclusive rights to all rackets made with hitting surfaces of 85 to 130 square inches; making Wilson pay to make the Wilson extra. In 1975, Howard Head registered his revolutionary oversized frame and released it as the Prince Classic in 1976

Most tennis players thought it was a joke until  Pam Shriver, an unseeded 16-year-old, reached the final of the U.S. Open with a Prince Classic. It was 1978 and she made it through just like Emma Raducanu via qualifiers in 2022. Prince rackets gained notoriety in 1978 and suddenly large head sizes took off. By 1982, Head’s Prince company had cornered 30 percent of the market.

Historic Gallery

Specifications (👋 not yet accurate….check back soon)

MeasurementsValuePerformanceScore
Weight360gPower19/100
Head Size & Length65sq in | 27inchControl41/100
Balance5pt head heavySpin40/100
GripPerforated leatherHandling78/100
Strings18 x 20 | syntheticComfort89/100
FlexibilityRA 43Consistency59/100

About Howard Head & Prince

Howard Head, born in 1914, initially pursued an English degree at Harvard but switched to engineering due to his aptitude for structural visualization. After graduating, he worked for Glenn L. Martin Aircraft Company, where he contributed to the design of military aircraft during World War II. His engineering career took a significant turn when he went on a ski trip and found the heavy wooden skis unmanageable. Head returned to his workshop and invented a flexible laminated ski using aluminum and plastic, which led to the creation of the Head Ski Company.In 1969, after selling his ski company, Head retired and took up tennis. Frustrated by his poor performance, he began modifying tennis rackets in his home workshop. He realized that by increasing the size of the racket’s face, he could reduce twisting and improve control. This innovation led to the creation of the oversized tennis racket, which significantly enhanced his game and later became a commercial success.Understanding the broader potential of his invention, Head collaborated with engineers at the Prince Manufacturing Company, where he had previously purchased a ball machine. He optimized the racket design to benefit all tennis players, not just himself. This democratic approach to engineering made tennis more accessible and enjoyable for a wider audience, breaking the barrier that only the affluent could excel in the sport.Head’s journey exemplifies the essence of engineering: transforming personal needs into solutions that democratize technology. His oversized racket innovation, along with other contributions like the honeycomb construction and the use of new materials such as graphite, revolutionized tennis. Despite facing resistance from traditionalists, the success of players like Pam Shriver and Michael Chang with Prince rackets validated his designs.

Gallery

Prince by Time
YEAREVENT
1947Howard Head, aircraft engineer, invents better skis.
1969Head sold his ski company to AMF and retired, taking up tennis.
1970Bob McClure invents Little Prince, the first home tennis ball machine.
1971-1975Howard Head improves the Ball Machine and becomes majority owner.
1976Howard Head invents the first oversized racquet, the Prince Classic.
1978Pam Shriver reached US Open final with a Prince racquet.
1978Prince develops its first multi-filament string.
1979Pat Cash won with Prince Pro racquet.
1979Prince Pro becomes the best-selling aluminum racquet.
1980Prince Graphite became the No. 1-selling racquet.
1982Prince introduces the P-200 Stringing Machine.
1982Prince sold to Chesebrough-Ponds for $62 million.
1989Michael Chang won the French Open with Prince Original Graphite racquet.
1989Prince introduced the Long Body racquet, success for Michael Chang.
1989Prince created the 14×18 super spin string pattern.
1997Patrick Rafter wins US Open with Prince Precision Response racquet.
2001Capriati wins Australian and French Opens.
2012Prince filed for bankruptcy due to competition and financial downturn.