BANCROFT(?), c. 1910s
One of the first Bancroft models. Intrusive wedge with a long hand carved handle. |
BANCROFT, THE NEW, c. 1910s
One of the first "plied" racket frames using rawhide as the insert between two plys of wood strips. |
BJORN BORG PERSONAL, c. 1970s
One of the modern classics with multiple types of wood used to showcase the natural beauty of wood. |
COMPETITION, c. 1970s
An initial use of composite materials, a copy of this racket is on display at the ITHF museum. |
EXECUTIVE (1), c. 1970s
One of the early examples of fiberglass used as an overlay for frame reinforcement. |
EXECUTIVE (2), c. 1980s
The Executive, a top-of-the-line model, in a later rendtion, one of the last wood rackets for Bancroft. |
PLAYERS SPECIAL (1), c. 1970s
Bancroft's best seller in the 1970s was a cousin to the WILSON Jack Kramer Autograph. |
PLAYERS SPECIAL (2), c. 1970s
Another rendition of this popular racket with newer graphics. |
TEAR DROP, c. 1970s
One of Bancroft's experiments of the 1970s with different composite material, this with Armadyn. |
VOLLEY, c. 1930s
A mid-level quality racket in very good-excellent condition highlights the beauty of wood. |
WEST COAST, c. 1940s
One of the first experiments for BANCROFT using multiple types of wood and variations on the shaft. |
WINNER (1), c. 1920s
A later rendition of what BANCROFT would later claim as their first "laminated" (now called plied) frame. |
WINNER (2), c. 1940s
A much later rendition of this model name made popular by BANCROFT. |
WINNER DELUXE, c. 1940s
This racket illustrates the more colorful graphics used through much of the 1940s. |
SUPER WINNER DELUXE, c. 1940s
Another variation on the Winner models, this model was one of the first to use colorful graphics. |
SUPER WINNER (1), C. 1940S
Another rendition of this long-running model name, with later graphics, more paint. |
SUPER WINNER (2), c. 1950s
This rendition includes a feature description right on the shaft, an early use of bamboo. |
SUPER WINNER (3), c. 1950s
A slight variation from the previous example, yet with several changes in features. |
SUPER WINNER (4), c. 1960s
A more modern version of this long-running model, again with the stiffer shaft. |
SUPER WINNER (5), C. 1960S
Not the last rendition by far, just the most recent in the collection. |
WINNER, THE NEW (1), c. 1920s
An early example of both the plied frame and cloth reinforcements on the shoulders. |
WINNER, THE NEW, (2) c. 1920s
Basically the same as previous example yet with wood "exlaminations" as reinforcements. |
WINNER, THE NEW (3), c. 1920s
The same as previous yet with less paint highlighting the natural beauty of the wood. |
WINNER, THE NEW (4), C. 1930S
A model which appears to be from the 1920s yets has a leather grip on a smaller square handle. |
- Notes
-
- My apologies for the poor quality of the pictures, both flash and resolution.
- Clicking on the picture will link to a larger size of the thumbnail.
- Print in Landscape mode and with a scissors and glue stick a wall poster can be made.
- Pictures intended to provide general differences in overall characteristics.
- All dates are only general estimates of the decade of production.
- Comments may be modified from earlier versions of this page.
- Suffix numbers () added merely to identify on this page, not for all variations of this model.
- Head on WINNER (1) is elongated, head on SUPER WINNER DELUXE & WINNER (2) mishapen by use/stringing.