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Vintage Dunlop Maxply Fort laminated wooden tennis racket dating to the early 1960s, closely matching the circa-1962 graphic generation of the famous Maxply Fort.This is a particularly attractive early version featuring the natural laminated-wood construction, cream-colored shoulder sections, red-and-black decorative striping, triple red throat bands, classic MAXPLY DUNLOP scroll-style crest, Dunlop script on the reverse, and the vintage Dunlop “Flying D” butt cap.The throat is also clearly marked “FRAME ONLY BY DUNLOP ENGLAND,” along with the original “LIGHT” weight designation and 4 1/2 grip-size marking. These surviving factory markings are especially nice identifying details on this vintage example.The Flying D branding was introduced around 1960, and this racket’s cosmetics closely correspond with documented early-1960s Maxply Fort examples.The Maxply Fort is one of the most historically important wooden tennis racket families ever produced. Dunlop’s Maxply line dates back to the 1930s and became famous for its multi-ply laminated wood construction.The Maxply family was associated with some of tennis history’s greatest players. Rod Laver played with Dunlop Maxply rackets during his historic 1962 calendar-year Grand Slam, and the Maxply Fort later remained famous enough to be used by John McEnroe during his victory over Björn Borg in the 1981 Wimbledon final.This does not mean this individual racket was one of those players’ personal rackets, but it is part of the same historically important Maxply Fort family.DETAILS:Brand: Dunlop
Model: Maxply Fort
Era: Early 1960s
Approximate Graphic Generation: Circa 1962
Sport: Tennis
Construction: Laminated Wood
Marked: “FRAME ONLY BY DUNLOP ENGLAND”
Weight Designation: LIGHT
Grip Size: 4 1/2
Vintage Flying D Butt Cap
Cream / Red / Black Decorative Graphics
Vintage String Bed
Vintage GripCONDITION:Vintage pre-owned collector/display condition with age and playing wear throughout.There are scratches, scuffs, finish wear and areas of paint loss, particularly around the cream-colored shoulder sections. The grip shows age and wear . Please see photos closely for exact condition.A wonderful piece of tennis history for a vintage racket collection, tennis clubhouse, sports display or collector of classic Dunlop equipment.
