Eleonora Sears Mass Squash Racquets Assn. Harvard Club Boston 1928 Tennis

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Eleonora Sears Mass Squash Racquets Assn. Harvard Club Boston 1928 Tennis :
$2250.00

Exceptional piece of women\'s sports memorabilia. This trophy was presented to Eleonora Randolph Sears for her winning of the 1928 Massachusetts Squash Racquets Association at the Harvard Club, Boston Mass. This was also the first year that the prestigious club open up theirs courts to women! Eleonora Randolph Sears (September 28, 1881 – March 16, 1968) was an American Tennis champion of the 1910s. She, as well as her father are in the Tennis Hall of Fame. In addition, she was a champion squash player, and prominent in other sports; she is considered one of the leading all-round women athletes of the first half of the 20th century.

Sears was the daughter of Boston businessman Frederick R. Sears, a cousin of Henry Cabot Lodge, and a great-granddaughter of Thomas Jefferson. Sears\' father was also known for playing the first tennis game in the United States, his opponent being his cousin James Dwight who brought the game from Europe. She was raised in wealth and privilege and associated with the Vanderbilts, Astors and the like.

Sears won the women\'s doubles at the US Women\'s National Championship four times, including three consecutively (1915-1017). In singles, she was a finalist in 1912, where she was beaten in straight sets by Mary Kendall Browne. She teamed with Willis E. Davis to take the national mixed doubles championship in 1916.

She was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1968, joining her cousin Richard(inducted 1955).

Eleonora Sears rode horses competitively and was elected to the US Show Jumping Hall of Fame in 1992. She also owned and raced Thoroughbred horses. She was the first woman to play polo on a men’s team.

Sears was the first female national squash champion, a founder of the Women’s Squash Racquets Association, and coach of the U.S. Women’s International Squash Team.

She gained media attention for her long distance walks and hikes. As well, she was one of the first American women to drive an automobile and fly a plane. Her habit of wearing trousers, both when competing in sports and in public, was criticized in media and social circles. The famous and talent John Singer Sargent painted her portrait. This trophy was also mentioned in an article by James Zug, noted sports writer, for The Direct...stories on squash. This trophy is believe to be the first & oldest extant women\'s trophy in the country.Measures 8\"h x 10\" handle to handle x 6\" diameter at opening.

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This item is anoriginal, not a reproduction, free of chips, stains, cracks, scratches, hairlines,repairs, tape, glue, markings(pencil, pen or crayon), repaints or otherdefects…UNLESS otherwise stated in the ItemCondition. Pictures are also considered to be part of the item description!I take very good photos of my items. It is also the buyer’s responsibility toread the item Condition Description and Details section! These sections do notnecessarily contain the same information AND they are not required to!!!

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