Free to a good home:History of Irish Tennis (3 Volumes)

[Alan Medic]

This would be of interest to anyone ever associated with a tennis club in Ireland. I have two sets to sell currently for ?40 each. I can deliver if in or not too far from ED. Send me a PM if you are interested.

What they say about The History of Irish Tennis:

?Tom Higgins has produced an extraordinary book and Irish tennis is fortunate to have it. It will be read, enjoyed and admired for many years to come.?

Conor Niland, National Number 1.

?Brilliant and, for anyone interested in Irish tennis, quite unputdownable.?

Geraldine Barniville, former Federation Cup player.

?If there was ever a book that was a labour of love this is it...extraordinary.?

George Hook, broadcaster.

?(the) fascinating history that was almost lost forever.?

The Sunday Times

[Alan Medic]

Some further information............

The History of Irish Tennis Volume 1

This volume contains four main chapters in an A4 format of over 600 pages. One deals with sport in Ireland and the role of tennis. The second looks at the development of the game with some interesting Irish components. Tennis as a social sport is dealt with in detail in the third chapter with topics here varying from the family game to romance to tennis writings. The final chapter is the largest looking at the organisation of the game, detailing the game at club and national level, as well as relevant sub-chapters on schools and university tennis.

The History of Irish Tennis Volume 2

One of the strengths of this book is the balance between facts, photographs, sketches and a range of anecdotes from hundreds of sources. In this volume, competitions are dealt with in 15 different sub-chapters, with such topics as the Irish at Wimbledon to Veterans? tennis. There are many surprising findings. Did you know we have Wimbledon, US Open, and Australian Open champions and that Ireland?s first Olympic Gold medals were won, for tennis, by a Dubliner. There are over 700 pages in this volume, the Who?s Who section is exhaustive.

The History of Irish Tennis Volume 3

Volume 3 deals with a range of eclectic topics on Irish tennis such as fashions, equipment and umpires and also a section dealing with the players and clubs in the north west.This unique three-volume set of books (approximately 1800 pages) includes over 90 pages of colour photographs and several thousand photos in total. The book is in A4 hard-backed format and is a limited print run.

[Alan Medic]

The Golden Era

1890

The summer of 1890 saw the beginnings of a great era in Irish tennis. The world of tennis was ruled by some of Ireland?s greatest, yet most forgotten, sportspeople. At that time the Irish Championships were considered to be more difficult to win than Wimbledon, such was the standard of the game on this island. While four of the five Irish titles in 1890 (held at Fitzwilliam Lawn Tennis Club) went to home players, it was at Wimbledon that we made our exceptional mark. Lena Rice from Tipperary won the ladies? championship and Willoughby Hamilton the men?s championship. To top this, the men?s doubles title was won by Joshua Pim and Frank Stoker from Dublin. Stoker also played international rugby for Ireland and was a cousin of Bram Stoker, the author of Dracula. Wimbledon had no ladies? doubles or mixed championships until 1913. Both Pim (1893 and 1894) and Harold Mahony (1896) also won the Wimbledon singles, the latter in a record of 57 games for a Wimbledon final.

The summer of 1890 saw Kilkenny?s Mabel Cahill reach the US championship All-Comer?s final. In addition to winning this title in both 1891 and 1892, Mabel won both doubles titles in these years. She is the only Irish player to have been elected to the International Tennis Hall of Fame.

In the years that followed there have been many successes of note. John Pius Boland won Ireland?s first gold medals in the Athens Olympics of 1896. In 1900 Mahony won all three gold medals for tennis at the Paris Olympics.He died tragically at 38 in a bicycle accident near his home in Killorglin, County Kerry. Jim Parke of Clones became Australasian (1912) and European singles champion (1914). Their detailed stories are among the many found in the book.

1890 ? The Golden Year of Irish Tennis:

Wimbledon Championships:

Mens Singles Champion: Willoughby Hamilton (IRL)

Ladies Singles Champion: Lena Rice (IRL)

Mens Doubles Champion: Joshua Pim (IRL) and Frank Stoker (IRL)

US Open

Ladies Singles All-Comers finalist: Mabel Cahill (IRL)

[Alan Medic]

I realise there may be limited interest in this area for such books. However I already have my own signed copies, and am trying to dispense with these as a favour.

If it's just a case of you finding the price too high then I am happy to listen to offers. They look good and will make a nice present for the right person.

[Alan Medic]

Post Christmas price hike. ?50 a set. Better get in before they go up again.

[*Bob*]

Hi Alan - could you confirm whether or not the book markers are made from silk and are all in good condition?

Thanks.

[Toosmart1973]

History of Irish Tennis????!??, would have thought a 2 page pamphlet would suffice!

[charliebubs]

Are there any towels to accompany the set?

[Alan Medic]

*Bob*, silk indeed and brand new. Still in original wrapping.

[Alan Medic]

Toosmart1973 Wrote:

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> History of Irish Tennis????!??, would have thought

> a 2 page pamphlet would suffice!

Which only goes to show why you need these books. Ignorance is not bliss.

[Alan Medic]

charliebubs Wrote:

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> Are there any towels to accompany the set?

Indeed, a set can be provided. In your case I'd have thought something on an Indian theme to remind you of the good old Curry Club days. You're the only reason I read the thread. Will she, won't she? It's like reading a thriller every month.

[maxxi]

Nearly put in a bid as I wanted to research something on the background of snooker's 1985 champion. Alas still searching for vol II of The History of Irish Dennis.

[Alan Medic]

A bid you say. A bid? What do you think this is, eBay? Do you know what tennis club Dennis Taylor used to frequent as a youngster? I bet you don't.

[Help-Ma-Boab]

Really keen. Will you accept a cheese toaster in exchange. Can't collect.

[maxxi]

I meant a 'bid of an offer' - I thought the requisite vernacular was de rigeur - alas I was only offering left-over Christmas cake and that has now gone.

A cheese toaster HMB?! What is this, some kind of raclette?*

*Not to be confused with the raquette used by DT at the Inverapenny tennis club which was invariably** a mashie niblick.

**Also a neighbouring bowls club.

[Alan Medic]

Help-Ma-Boab Wrote:

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> Really keen. Will you accept a cheese toaster in

> exchange. Can't collect.

Is there a sandwich included?

[charliebubs]

Alan Medic Wrote:

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> charliebubs Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

> -----

> > Are there any towels to accompany the set?

>

> Indeed, a set can be provided. In your case I'd

> have thought something on an Indian theme to

> remind you of the good old Curry Club days. You're

> the only reason I read the thread. Will she, won't

> she? It's like reading a thriller every month.

Naturally, I'm only interested if they are curry themed towels.

I'll be there this week. Maybe you could make an appearance too? Bring your books.

Incidentally, not DT playing I'm afraid, but I do have tickets for sale for the Masters at Ally Pally next weekend. Roll up, roll up...

[ed_pete]

Hi - is this still available ?

[Romnarz]

Find it hard to believe that this set of fascinating books not sold yet.

[Alan Medic]

Yes, there are two sets available. The other copies in the UK were sold by The Tennis 🎾 Gallery in Wimbledon.

[hwilliams]

This looks interesting, but personally, I am looking for a more comprehensive history. These somewhat compact volumes look as if they are only lightly scratching the surface.

Have you considered using them to make a nice warm fire on a chilly night?

[se22cat]

Any chance of throwing in a couple of emergency potatoes to sweeten the deal?

[Alan Medic]

hwilliams Wrote:

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> This looks interesting, but personally, I am

> looking for a more comprehensive history. These

> somewhat compact volumes look as if they are only

> lightly scratching the surface.

>

> Have you considered using them to make a nice warm

> fire on a chilly night?

No, but I'd consider a swap for one of your fat face bikinis.

[Alan Medic]

se22cat Wrote:

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> Any chance of throwing in a couple of emergency

> potatoes to sweeten the deal?

I'm happy to give you a couple of no strings attached potatoes if things are that bad.

[hwilliams]

Dammit. Bikini has gone, but I could offer an ikea wardrobe?