Morphy Auctions, a leading antiques auction destination specializing in fresh-to-the-market collections, is pleased to announce the sale of the Jeanne Cherry Collection of Tennis Antiques during its two-day summer Fine Art, Asian and Antiques auction on August 29-30. For more details see: morphyauctions.com.
Jeanne Cherry (1932-2017) was a well-known collector and historian of tennis antiques. She was the author of the landmark book Tennis Antiques and Collectibles, known to tennis collectors around the world and featuring photos of many of the antiques in her collection.
Known for spurring the tennis collector community as both a scholar of the sport and leading member of the Tennis Collectors of America and the UK’s Tennis Collectors’ Society, Jeanne Cherry pursued decades of collecting and antiquing through which she assembled a one-of-a-kind collection.
One of the most extensive, important and diverse privately held tennis collections in existence, Jeanne Cherry’s collection encompasses all genres of tennis antiques including early rackets and other equipment, photography, ephemera, jewelry, books, and decorative and fine arts.
Her entire collection will be sold in 193 lots. Highlights of the sale includes:
- The 1913 Wimbledon Renshaw Cup awarded to Maurice Mcloughlin for winning the Wimbledon Men’s Singles All-Comers’ Final, advancing him to become the first American to be a finalist in the Wimbledon singles;
- Other important early trophies;
- A selection of court tennis antiques, including rackets, a large trophy, and objects owned by world champion court tennis player Punch Fairs;
- An extensive collection of early rackets, including an original Sphairistike racket, as well as many lopsided, flat-top, and other rare rackets;
- Over 700 tennis books in several themed lots, including many early and rare titles, as well as books autographed by tennis greats such as Suzanne Lenglen and Bill Tilden;
- A fine, full-bodied, copper lady tennis player weathervane; and
- Tennis-related jewelry, including the iconic tennis cameo featured on the cover of her book.
“We are thrilled to offer Jeanne Cherry’s renowned collection and pay tribute to her many years of collecting and passion for the sport of tennis,” says Dan Morphy, President of Morphy Auctions. “Cherry’s love for antiquing and curiosity for history is what makes our mission at Morphy possible, and we are proud to pass her spirit of antiquing on to future generations through this sale.”
The Jeanne Cherry Tennis Collection will be auctioned on the morning of Thursday, August 30th, beginning with Lot #746 and ending with Lot #938. Bidding can be done live during the sale (in person at the auction house, via telephone, or online), or prior to the sale (by leaving bids directly with the auction house or online). For assistance with bidding, contact Morphy Auctions at 877-968-8880 or via info@morphyauctions.com.
The auction catalog can be viewed online at morphyauctions.com or at liveauctioneers.com
(scroll to lot #746). The collection can also be viewed in person at Morphy Auction Gallery during the month preceding the sale during regular business hours (Monday–Friday, 9 AM–4 PM) at 2000 North Reading Road, Denver, PA 17517.