An extremely rare and early French racquet probably dating from the late 18th century, bound with calf skin at the throat and with signs that that thi

An extremely rare and early French racquet probably dating from the late 18th century, bound with calf skin at the throat and with signs that that this originally passed down the whole length of the handle, as calf skin remains at the very end of the handle, both the skin wrapping and the frame of the racket is held together with early hand-made nails, the lateral strings are looped around each vertical each time they meet This racket is very reminiscent in style of the one which features in the photogravure of Guillaume Barcellon from 1753, reproduced here in the catalogue. Note the calf skin wrapping, the stringing pattern and the position of the nails near the wedge and on the handle. There is an interesting note concerning the construction with racket-nails in Marshall's Annals of Tennis. p124, where he quotes De Garsault's account of 1767. It bears considerable comparison in attempting to discover the possible date of construction. 'He begins with his drill...a hole which pierces the two sides and the middle-piece. This hole is intended to receive the 'racket-nail'. Before placing this in the hole, the latter was counter-sunk with a gouge, to fit the head of the nail; and a groove was cut on the opposite side of the handle (see the handle from the side) to receive its end, which was turned over and clenched upon the anvil....Until recent days, the handle was always covered with a broad strip of leather, wound spirally round from the bottom to a height of about 10 ins.' Note that the handle (in comparison to the head) has been left fairly unfinished, as it would have originally been covered with leather. The racquet length is almost 22 inches. Early rackets were made in three types - 'ordinary', 'demi-paume' and 'en battoir', this may be a rare example of either of the two latter descriptions.