NEW YORK – Guernsey’s auction house will make tennis history at the US Open this year when it conducts the first major tennis auction to be held at the US Open, the world’s most well-attended sporting event.
The live public auction, which begins at the end of August and continues through mid-September, will include Internet live bidding through LiveAuctioneers.com and will feature literally thousands of exciting and historic objects relating to tennis. A portion of the proceeds will go to USTA Serves, the nonprofit arm of the United States Tennis Association that encourages children to pursue their goals and highest dreams by succeeding in school and becoming responsible citizens.
From tennis greats of the past to the reigning royalty of today’s competitions, all eras of tennis will be represented in this historic event. Among the items to be auctioned are historical tennis racquets and fabulous, tournament-worn outfits. Examples of the latter include Bobby Riggs’ “Sugar Daddy” tennis duds he wore in the famed “Battle of the Sexes” match with Billie Jean King, Bill Tilden’s Wimbledon sweater and Maria Sharapova’s lovely tennis dress worn just weeks ago at Wimbledon.
Original tennis art includes a George Bellows Newport scene and Leroy Neiman’s portrait of Arthur Ashe. Rare books will be offered, with highlights being two of only 20 known copies of the first book written about tennis, which was printed in 1555. Additionally, the sale will feature vintage photography, graphic posters, unusual artifacts and collectible memorabilia.
The preview exhibition will start on the first day of the Open (Aug. 31) and continue each day through the actual auction dates of Sept. 11 and 13. The 13th is the last day of the Open, with the concluding Men’s Finals match following the auction.
For additional information about the sale or to make a last-minute consignment of a significant, vintage tennis item, call Guernsey’s at 212-794-2280.
View the fully illustrated auction catalog and sign up to bid absentee or live via the Internet through www.Liveauctioneers.com.
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