Wood Racquet Signed by Howard O. Kinsey 1921-1926 Tennis champ

by Mary R.
(SFBay Area)

My name is Mary, I have a wood tennis racquet that I retrieved from a dumpster which is where they had thrown it following their fathers death.


Their Dad, Jack, was a friend of mine, he was a native San Franciscan as was Howard O. Kinsey. Mr. Kinsey was a Tennis Champ during the 1920s. On one side there is a stamp from the California Tennis Club est. 1884 and is still in business. I wrote their General Mgr. a note and he confirmed for me that Mr. Kinsey had indeed been a member of the club. Jacks family was very well off and although I have yet to confirm his families membership I intend to.

I have found 1 item on the net that refers to Mr. Kinsey outside of numerous magazine and newspaper articles that is. I asked an online appraiser for their opinion of an endorsed racquet made by A.G. Spaulding & Bros. with pictures and she said it hadn't been applied at the time of manufactur,and that it was rare. She was also of the opinion that this signature could bring extra value to a collector. All of which is very intriguing but doesn't give me much in the way of value.


Has anything with this Tennis Champs signature been sold in the past? At what price? Am I even asking the right questions and if not you, who can you refer me to.


I am not a collector of tennis or other sports memorabilia nor am I well off or close to it. Just a regular Jane who thought the racquet(s) might work in an art project. That is until I discovered the signature and found that the tennis club is interested. I could use a few bucks but won't try to get rich off them. Just want to know a fair market value.

Thanks for your help,

Mary R.

Rob:

Mary,

Surely this historical item is worth some money, but ultimately it comes down to what someone is willing to pay for it.

I did some research and am not finding much to go off here. Vintage tennis rackets and signed programs have a niche audience in the autograph collecting world.

With Mr. Kinsey being from San Francisco, and the tennis club being interested, it sounds like a good starting point. You could try contacting a third-party authenticator such as PSA/DNA to see if they will give you an email opinion based on your photos.

I would agree this is a rare item, and will be of interest to the right collector.

Best of luck!
Rob