Tennis auction features historic memorabilia from Arthur Ashe, other court legends

With the Australian Open scheduled to begin Jan. 15, JG Limited has launched a “Game, Set, Match” auction featuring 250 lots of historic tennis memorabilia.

The collection was owned by a single collector and includes items dating to the 19^th century. It features modern and vintage autographs, photographs, trading cards, tennis balls and cans, rackets and historic memorabilia from such tennis legends as Arthur Ashe, Bill Tilden, Rene Lacoste, Henri Cochet, Hazel Wrightman and more.

The online auction by JG Limited, the auction platform of JG Autographs, Inc., opened Jan. 3 and runs through Jan. 24.

Auction highlights include:

• Autographed photo of American star and civil rights activist Arthur Ashe.

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• Commemorative postal cover of American stars Arthur Ashe and Jimmy Connors, autographed by Ashe, Bobby Riggs, Roy Emerson and Dick Stockton.

• A 1927 International Lawn Tennis Program signed by Bill Tilden, Francis Hunter, Gordon Crole-Rees and other tennis legends.

• A tennis racquet collection featuring 16 vintage racquets from the late 19^th century through the mid-20^th century.

• 1955 Wrightman Cup stationary autographed by American star and Wrightman Cup founder Hazel Wrightman and 10 other players.

• Autographs from French tennis stars and three of the “The Four Musketeers” Rene Lacoste, Jean Borotra and Henri Cochet.

• Autographed letter from American tennis star Bill Tilden, the first American to win Wimbledon, the world’s top-ranked player in 1931-33 and the winner of 14 major singles titles, including 10 Grand Slam events.

• 1953 Pacific Coast Championships program signed by Tony Trabert, Maureen Connolly, Art Larsen and others.