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
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 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)
Measurements | Value | Performance | Score |
---|---|---|---|
Weight | 394g | Power | 33/100 |
Head Size & Length | 68sq in | 27inch | Control | 28/100 |
Balance | 8pt head light (220) | Spin | 26/100 |
Grip | Perforated leather | Handling | 30/100 |
Strings | 18 x 20 | gut | Comfort | 49/100 |
Flexibility | RA 49 | Consistency | 33/100 |
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
YEAR | EVENT |
---|---|
1871 | Albert Goodwill Spalding began his baseball career with Boston Red Stockings. |
1876 | A.G. Spalding & Brothers sporting goods store opened in Chicago. |
1877 | Spalding created the first baseball glove. |
1878 | Spalding published the first “Official Rules Guide for Baseball.” |
1882 | Spalding retired to become president of Chicago White Stockings. |
1887 | Spalding created the first American football. |
1894 | Spalding developed the world’s first basketball. |
1895 | Spalding developed and manufactured the first American volleyball. |
1900 | Spalding became the largest manufacturer of baseball bats in the U.S. |
1930 | Spalding developed the first liquid center golf ball, the Kros-Flite. |
1968 | Spalding developed the first 2-piece performance golf ball, the Spalding Executive. |
1983 | Spalding Basketball selected as the Official Ball of NBA. |
1992 | First composite leather basketball created. |
1997 | Official basketball of the WNBA. |
2001 | Spalding introduces first basketball with built-in Micro Pump. |
2002 | Official soccer ball of the Major Indoor Soccer League. |
2003 | Official basketball of the Rucker League and Big Ten tournaments. |
2004 | Spalding becomes the official ball of the Arena Football League |