A U.S. Lawn Tennis Association Golden Jubilee medal presented to Bill Tilden at the Parade of Champions in 1931, in silver-gilt, inscribed U.S. LAWN T
£3,000 - £5,000
A U.S. Lawn Tennis Association Golden Jubilee medal presented to Bill Tilden at the Parade of Champions in 1931, in silver-gilt, inscribed U.S. LAWN TENNIS ASSOCIATION GOLDEN JUBILEE 1881-1931, the reverse inscribed WINNER OF NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP, Wm. T. TILDEN, 2nd, diameter 7.5cm., 3in., in original fitted case; sold together with a photograph of Bill Tilden receiving this medal at Forest Hills from the Secretary of the Navy Charles Francis (2) Bill Tilden was one of the greatest tennis players of the inter-wars years and amongst the best of all time. From 1920 to 1926 he dominated the game as no player had done before. He was invincible in the USA, won Wimbledon both times he competed and captured 13 successive singles matches in Davis Cup. As an amateur he won 138 of 192 tournaments, lost 28 finals and had a 907 to 62 match record. He won a total of 10 majors. This medal is very rare as they were only presented to Champions prior to 1931 and, as it was Tilden's, possibly the most sought after one ever to be offered at auction.