The boom in tennis being played in Australia saw a host of new entrants enter the manufacturing sector.   Walbow Racket Company must have started in the  1920’s since the first ad, below comes from 1928.  In the mid 30’s it was owned by Lionel Walsh  and operated from 20 Alfred St Mascot.  It was quite the hub for sporting goods manufacture with Slazenger and Waddell’s in nearby Alexandria.  According to the business directory of 1936 there were two new owners Thomas Mitchell and David Chrystal. Later this partnership was dissolved in favour of the Chrystal father and son.

The only example known to date is this nicely produced Walbow Speedster.

Always interesting to find new information about tennis racquet makers.

Waddell’s Lt d manufactured sporting goods from a factory in Ralph Street, Alexandria around the corner from Slazenger.

This wonderful example, the Royal Sovereign,  shows a very intricate shaft design not appearing on other competitive models.

The logo on this racquet shows a variety of  sports so presumably, they made a range of equipment which was sold throughout Australia based on advertising.

Typically, these work places contain some flammable materials and in 1939 they suffered a quite extensive fire and local reports confirm both the factory street address and that racquet frames were damaged.