A pair of early Ayres tennis rackets (above) with gut stringing sold for £3100 in the three-day sale of Antiques & Collectables from July 23-25 at Lawrences (20% buyer’s premium) of Bletchingley, estimated at just £40-60.
Rackets rock at auction
The London firm founded by Frederick Henry Ayres in the mid 19th century is best known for its for high-quality rocking horses but Ayres also produced a wide range of equipment for indoor and outdoor games and sport.