Game set and match for former Wimbledon worker
Dozens of unique and rare pieces of Wimbledon memorabilia signed by the biggest tennis stars of their day come together in a single-owner collection put up for sale at Ewbank’s on July 17.
The Wimbledon Tennis Memorabilia Collection comes from a former member of staff who worked with players for years in the changing rooms, the highlights include Andre Agassi’s Lawn Tennis Championships Bronze Medal and Pete Sampras’s Wimbledon Singles Millennium Champion Waterford Crystal Presentation Plate.
Players’ kit includes a pair of Original Vintage Nike Shorts and worn Nike headband, both signed by Roger Federer, a match worn Adidas shirt signed by Tim Henman, the Original Vintage Lotto Shirt worn by Boris Becker during his last appearance at Wimbledon, and signed by him, and Pat Rafter’s signed pair of match-worn shoes.
The collection includes numerous Royal Box and Official programmes, as well as posters, signed by dozens of the biggest names in tennis, from Steffi Graf and the Williams sisters Serena and Venus to John McEnroe, Lleyton Hewitt, Pat Cash, Pet Sampras, Andre Agassi and Tim Henman.
Similarly signed daily orders of play for the championships, annuals and postcards add to the mix. In all the collection is valued at around £10,000.
“This is a wonderfully personal collection gathered together by someone who gave years of service to the top players, who always appreciated his efforts,” says Ewbank’s specialist Tom Duggan. “What makes these items extra special is that the collector was known to the players, and the direct gifts among them were the players’ way of thanking him personally.”
Live online bidding for the auction, which includes an additional 40 or so separately consigned lots, is available via www.ewbankauctions.co.uk
