Spalding

Spalding Lotus One (1974)

Condition
8
10: New
9: Mint
8: Excellent
7: Good
6: Fair
5: Average
4: Below Average
3: Poor
| Rarity
10
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 Spalding Lotus One

The Spalding Lotus One is a rare collectors item from Spalding which was exotic in terms of design and materials! Following the success of the Speedshaft used by Rosie Casals Spalding went to town on a 100% Boron reinfoced wood construction. It was one of the first composite open throat rackets at a time when tennis was very traditional and had an amazing color scheme. The racket only sold in the US, and even then in small numbers due to high price!

Sadly there are few photos from the 70s of this racket in action.

Historic Gallery (re-drawn by AI)

Specifications (đź‘‹ 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 Spalding

Albert Goodwill Spalding’s journey began as a pitcher for the Boston Red Stockings in 1871, where he pitched with a baseball he developed himself. In 1877, Spalding revolutionized baseball equipment by creating the first baseball glove, which transitioned the sport from bare hands to protective wear. In 1887, Spalding introduced the first American football and in 1894 the first basketball, followed by the first volleyball in 1895. By 1900, Spalding was the largest manufacturer of baseball bats in the U.S., producing over a million bats annually.While the business was rooted in baseball. Spalding opened their fifth global plant in Sunshine, Melbourne, in 1925. This plant was dedicated to manufacturing tennis rackets, tennis balls, and golf balls. Tennis rackets were imported from the USA in a rough state and shaped to various designs using special machinery, with Queensland maple and cedar woods used for the handles. The first year’s projection was to produce 40,000 rackets, with key 1926 brands including Kro-Bat, Gold Medal OS, Gold Medal HIC, Vantage, Greenwood, Crescent, and local Sunshine models.By 1927, the famous Top Flite split throat racket made an appearance, and Spalding’s global marketing efforts meant rackets produced in the USA resembled those made locally. In 1929, models included the Davis-Cup-De-Luxe, and by 1930, the Peerless and Endura were introduced. Spalding acquired Alexander Tennis Rackets in 1957

1888 Spalding Slocum

1961 Spalding Pancho Gonzales Autograph

1972 Spalding Speedshaft

1974 Spalding Lotus One

1980 Spalding Competition

1980 Spalding Elite

Gallery

Timeline of Spalding

YEAREVENT
1871Albert Goodwill Spalding began his baseball career with Boston Red Stockings.
1876A.G. Spalding & Brothers sporting goods store opened in Chicago.
1877Spalding created the first baseball glove.
1878Spalding published the first “Official Rules Guide for Baseball.”
1882Spalding retired to become president of Chicago White Stockings.
1887Spalding created the first American football.
1894Spalding developed the world’s first basketball.
1895Spalding developed and manufactured the first American volleyball.
1900Spalding became the largest manufacturer of baseball bats in the U.S.
1930Spalding developed the first liquid center golf ball, the Kros-Flite.
1968Spalding developed the first 2-piece performance golf ball, the Spalding Executive.
1983Spalding Basketball selected as the Official Ball of NBA.
1992First composite leather basketball created.
1997Official basketball of the WNBA.
2001Spalding introduces first basketball with built-in Micro Pump.
2002Official soccer ball of the Major Indoor Soccer League.
2003Official basketball of the Rucker League and Big Ten tournaments.
2004Spalding becomes the official ball of the Arena Football League