Wilson-BJK-Autograph

Wilson

Wilson Billy Jean King Autograph (1969)

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

Stunning racket in classic livery. Billy Jean King was a star for Bancroft, but they lost her to Wilson in 1969/1970. In 1973 she competed in Battle of the Sexes with massive publicity. Wilson made the BJK valiant and then the higher spec autograph and later the BJK PRO. BJK achieved 129 career titles including 12 Grand Slam singles titles: 1 Australian Open, 1 French Open, 6 Wimbledon, 4 US Open. From the mid-1960s she dominated women’s tennis scene with an aggressive style of play that constantly pushed her towards the net with excellent agility. Also she won Wimbledon 6 times from 1966 to 1975. She was a pioneer of Women’s tennis. If you want to collect the 1969/1970 Wilson Valiants you will need to get hold of the Jack Kramer Valiant, Mary Hardwick Valiant and Billy Jean King Valiant.

In 1969 Wilson released the Billie Jean King Autograph racket with Strata-Bow technology. This racket was known for its long handle pallets to reduce torque and flexibility in the head. This racket helped Billie Jean King win her record fifth Wimbledon victory. It was improved again for the 1975 Chris Evert Autograph which was lighter and more flexible overall which increase power and included white ash

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

Gallery
About Wilson

Wilson Sporting Goods Company traces its origins to the “Schwarzschild & Sulzberger” meatpacking company, founded in 1913 to utilize animal by-products, the company initially manufactured tennis racket strings, violin strings, and surgical sutures. By 1914, it expanded into producing baseball shoes and tennis racquets. Thomas E. Wilson, a former meatpacking president, was appointed in 1915, renaming the company “Thomas E. Wilson Company”. He steered the company into producing a variety of sporting goods, including footballs and basketballs.Wilson’s entry into the sporting goods industry was marked by innovation and strategic partnerships. In the 1920s, the company introduced the Ray Schalk catcher’s mitt and collaborated with Knute Rockne on football equipment. In 1931, it was renamed “Wilson Sporting Goods Company”. The company developed the Wilson Duke football, which became the official NFL ball in 1941, a partnership that continues to this day.Wilson’s influence in tennis began in earnest in the 1950s with the partnership with Jack Kramer, resulting in the Jack Kramer Autograph racket. This racket became one of the best-selling models of its time, used by numerous champions including Arthur Ashe and Billie Jean King. The 1960s saw further innovation with the introduction of the first steel racquet, the Wilson T2000, endorsed by Jimmy Connors.Wilson continued to innovate with the release of the Chris Evert Autograph racket in 1975 and the introduction of wide body rackets in the 1980s. The company’s tennis balls became the official balls for the US Open in 1979 and the Australian Open in 2006. In 2021.

YEAREVENT
1868Thomas E. Wilson born in Ontario, Canada.
1914Wilson Sporting Goods founded; first racquet crafted.
1915Thomas E. Wilson appointed president; company renamed “Thomas E. Wilson Company”.
1917Wilson’s catalogue included 28 racquet models.
1922Introduced Ray Schalk catcher’s mitt, became the standard.
1925Renamed “Wilson-Western Sporting Goods” after distribution agreement.
1931Renamed “Wilson Sporting Goods Company”.
1935Released original leather tennis handle wrap, Mahogany Leather Grip.
1941Wilson Duke football becomes official ball of NFL.
1946Becomes official game ball supplier for BAA (NBA predecessor).
1950sOfficially partnered with Jack Kramer; created Jack Kramer Autograph racquet.
1958Thomas E. Wilson passed away.
1967Introduced first steel racquet, Wilson T2000.
1969Released Billie Jean King Autograph racquet with Strata-Bow technology.
1975Introduced Chris Evert Autograph racquet.
1979Wilson tennis balls first used at the U.S. Open.
1987Introduced Profile racquet, first wide body racquet.
1990Introduced Hammer technology for recreational players.
2006Wilson tennis balls began use at the Australian Open.
2021Became official game ball supplier for NBA and WNBA.