Slazenger Eclipse

Slazenger

Slazenger Eclipse (1950)

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

This racket was priced at 25 shillings (£1.25) in 1927 and was at the lower end of the Range. It became more popular in 1938 racket but this one is a revision from a later production run, likely 1960 given the nylon strings. Still, it is rare to find an 1960s racket in completely new condition, factory fresh! Here is a beautiful example: the Slazenger Eclipse. This white and blue racket caries a Royal Crown and Nylon strings and red trebling. Slazenger’s early rackets included the Eltham (named after their home ground), Frinton, Invicta,, Kings and the big sellers: Queen and Demon. According to newspaper archives: In 1938 Slazenger released the following:

Fred Perry Special 52 6 (£2.60)

Meteor 45 (£2.25)

Victory 35 (£1.75)

Varsity 32 6 (£1.65)

Eclipse 27 6 (£1.37)

Match Point 21 (£1.05)

Whirlwind 17 6 (£0.87)

So from this advert we can see that the Eclipse was mid-range. The Victory was a name used by Slazengers from 1910 until 1960s usually depicting that famous ship. HMS Victory was built during the Seven Years’ War and completed in 1765. · Slazengers Demon was made from 1887

Historic Gallery

Specifications (👋 not yet accurate….check back soon)
MeasurementsValuePerformanceScore
Weight394gPower33/100
Head Size & Length68sq in | 27inchControl28/100
Balance8pt head light (220)Spin26/100
GripPerforated leatherHandling30/100
Strings18 x 20 | gutComfort49/100
FlexibilityRA 49Consistency33/100
About Slazenger

While Slazenger began producing tennis balls in 1877, it became the official Wimbledon ball supplier in 1902, a partnership lasting over a century. The company also expanded internationally, establishing a significant presence in Australia by the early 1900s. In 1928, they opened an Australian factory for rackets and later added cricket bats, overcoming challenges like a 1932 factory fire and a late 1990s hailstorm.Slazenger was known for innovations like the “Floating Power” rackets in the 1930s, using mercury to enhance weight distribution, and introduced the “Challenge” racket post-WWII, popular until the mid-1970s. Their aggressive marketing strategies included player endorsements and junior development programs, maintaining visibility and promoting their products. In 1959, Dunlop acquired Slazenger, allowing it to operate independently, and between 1960 and 1973, Slazenger rackets won many Grand Slam events. However, by the mid-1980s, competitive pressures led to the cessation of racket production in Australia, shifting manufacturing to Asia.

A Slazenger Ad from 1927

SLAZENGERS’ “QUEEN’S” RACKET
This Racket is now universally recognised as the World’s leading Tournament Racket.
Specification—Rounded frame of finest selected English Ash, single strung with all white gut of highest possible quality; extra trebling in both directions, specially reinforced shoulders, bound in the well-known Queen’s Club, London, colours. 13 oz. to 14½ oz.
72/6. Or 8 equal payments of 12/9. All members of the British Team which toured the world in 1928-9 used the Queen’s Racket exclusively.

SLAZENGER’S “PRIMORIS” RACKET
The special features of this Racket are the two-piece frame of finest Ash, with hide insertion; shoulders reinforced with raw-hide, overlaid front and back which enables the gut to be drawn to a colossal degree of tension. 13 oz. to 15 oz.
72/6. 6 equal monthly payments of 12/9.

SLAZENGER’S “DOHERTY” RACKET
The Championship at Wimbledon was won every year for eleven successive years, and in all on 17 occasions with the Doherty Racket. 13 oz. to 15 oz. 63/- 6 equal monthly payments of 10/11.

SLAZENGER’S “PALL MALL” RACKET
This is one of three entirely new models, a value never before approached by any manufacturer. Modern round frame specially strung with all white gut. A most attractive and serviceable Racket. 12½ oz. to 14 oz. 39/- Or 6 equal monthly payments of 6/8.

SLAZENGER’S “SHAFTSBURY” RACKET.
Another entirely new model, slightly lower in price than the “Pall Mall.” The bindings are of Red, Yellow and white gut. 12½ to 14 oz.
37/6 6 equal monthly payments of 6/5.

SLAZENGER’S “CHELTENHAM” RACKET.
The third new-comer, exceptional value and all the most up-to-date features, strung with green and white gut, with special cross-trebbling. Shoulders silk bound, finished with white gut. 12½ oz. to 14 oz. 30/- Or 6 equal monthly payments of 5/2.

SLAZENGER’S “ECLIPSE” RACKET.
An extremely useful moderately priced Racket with extra cross-trebbling. 12½ oz. to 15 oz. 25/-

Slazenger’s “Melbury,” 13 oz. to 15 oz. 72/6
“Anderson” designed by Mr. J. O. Anderson …………………………………. 68/6
Slazenger’s “V.V.V.” (Veni Vidi Vici) ……………………………………. 67/6
“Lambert Chambers,” designed by Mrs. Lambert Chambers (the World’s Lady Champion for 7 years) …………………………………… 65/-
Slazenger’s “E.G.M.” designed by Mr. E.G. Meers, well-known expert ……………………………. 55/-
Slazenger’s “Acme,” popular, medium-priced Racket ………………………. 52/6
Slazenger’s “Meteor,” an attractive model ……………………………….. 40/-
Slazenger’s “Demon,” bearing Slazenger’s signature ………………………. 47/8
Slazenger’s “Player,” 12½ to 15 oz. ……………………….. 20/-
Slazenger’s “Junior Champion,” children’s Racket ……………………………………. 21/-

Gallery

Timeline of Slazenger

YEAREVENT
1877Slazenger tennis balls production begins.
1881Ralph and Albert Slazenger establish a shop in London.
1883Slazenger files a patent for a table tennis net.
1885Slazenger begins promoting sporting goods.
1889Captain Ralph Slazenger visits Australia.
1902Slazenger becomes the official tennis ball supplier for Wimbledon.
1910Slazenger and Sons becomes a public company.
1928Slazenger opens an Australian factory in Sydney.
1931Slazenger acquires H. Gradidge and Sons.
1939Slazenger acquires William Sykes Ltd.
1942Slazenger acquires F. H. Ayres.
1940Slazenger factory bombed during the Blitz.
1958Dunlop acquires Slazenger, allowing it to run independently.
1959Ralph Slazenger Jr. sells the family business to Dunlop Rubber.
1960-1973Slazenger racquets win 38 of 112 Grand Slam events.
1965Slazenger Championship No.1 tennis racket launched.
1980sRise of metal and composite tennis racquets.
Mid-1980sSlazenger ceases racquet production in Australia.
1985Dunlop Rubber purchased by BTR plc; forms Dunlop Slazenger Sports Group.
1996BTR sells Dunlop Sport in a management buyout; new company named “Dunlop Slazenger”.
2002Slazenger Barnsley plant closes; production moves to the Philippines.
2004CINVen sells Dunlop Slazenger to Sports Direct International.