Overview
A beautifully preserved vintage wooden tennis racket featuring a multi-ply laminated ash frame, a distinctive convex throat wedge marked 'Imperial', and the iconic Davis family crest decal on the shaft.
Identification
T.A. Davis 'Imperial' Wooden Tennis Racket, c.1930s
Photo reference
3 uploaded photos
Story
The T. A. Davis Company was a premier American manufacturer of high-quality wooden sporting goods, operating out of the Northeast. Their tennis rackets, particularly the multi-ply laminated ash frames like the 'Imperial', were known for their durability and elegant design. The presence of the Davis family crest and 'TAD' monogram marks this as a classic example of golden-age American sporting craftsmanship.
Maker / Origin
Unattributed
Condition & Value
The racket appears beautifully preserved with its original leather grip and stylized 'TAD' end cap intact. The multi-ply laminated ash frame and distinctive convex throat wedge show well, and the iconic Davis family crest decal remains visible.
Full Research
See what it's actually worth.
Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.
Market Analysis
The secondary market for vintage wooden tennis rackets is primarily driven by decorative appeal, sports nostalgia, and interior design rather than active play. T. A. Davis rackets are well-regarded for their craftsmanship, but supply is relatively plentiful. Buyers are typically looking for visually striking pieces with intact decals, original leather grips, and unwarped frames to display in homes, bars, or country clubs.
Value Drivers
▲ Highly preserved original leather grip and 'TAD' monogrammed end cap anchor the mid-tier value.
▲ Intact Davis family crest decal adds strong visual appeal for decorative buyers.
▲ Etsy decorative market comparables demonstrate a ceiling near $100+ for well-presented, highly stylized examples.
Concerns
▼ Unverified frame straightness — any warping of the wood would relegate this to the $30 clearance tier.
▼ Unverified string tension and condition — broken strings reduce display appeal and lower value.
Best Venue
This racket is best positioned for the decorative vintage sporting goods market. List it on a broad marketplace like eBay or Etsy with a Buy-It-Now price of $85, allowing for offers to capture buyers looking for authentic sports decor. Ensure photos clearly highlight the 'Imperial' throat wedge, the Davis crest decal, and the straightness of the frame to maximize buyer confidence.
Upside Potential
If the racket can be definitively proven to be a 1930s production model rather than a later mid-century reissue, and is paired with a period-correct wooden press, it could appeal to serious tennis historians and push toward the $100-$125 retail tier.
▾Also found — market-range context
Related comps outside the valuation band· 1 comp
Surfaced during research but not used to anchor the valuation — wrong form, species, era, or no published price. Shown so the market range around this item is visible.
Also found — market-range context
Related comps outside the valuation band· 1 comp
- Tennis DuJourDavis Imperial Deluxe Wooden Tennis Racquet (TAD Insignia) - 1960'S/1970'SPage excerpt indicates the listing is actually for a tennis backpack and skort, not the racket.$110