Well, just because “LOVE” is technically a “zero” score in the actual game of tennis… we absolutely “LOVE” this piece AND think it’s a SUPER SCORE!!!! BUT… Talk about a RESEARCH HEADACHE… if I may be so blunt… LOL… I’ll get to that later… The original black & white drawing was created in 1880 and was published in the Frank Leslie weekly newspaper. Way back before there were advanced cameras and “action shot” photography… someone physically sat there, watched whatever event was going on, and hand sketched the action!! This particular event was the VERY FIRST National lawn-tennis tournament held in Staten Island, New York… SO COOL!!! Ok folks, there is a LOT to process here… What we DO know is that the original creation was a black & white drawing, published in 1880. This particular piece though is a fabulous hand colored lithograph of that original, printed in 1971, FRAMED by- W. King Ambler Old Prints & Maps FOR- Fuhr’s Inc., (which was a furniture store located in Shawnee Mission, Kansas.) Drawn by whom you ask?? PASS THE TYLENOL PLEASE!!!!! LOL… We know that the tag on the back says by A.B. Frost and it very well COULD be… BUT… we have come upon two reputable sources with contradicting information. There is an article in the Staten Island Historian newspaper April/June 1954 that says the sketch is by H.A. Ogden and NOT A.B. Frost (insert headache!!) Upon eyeball-burning, extensive research… we could not find anything definitive either way other than that both sketch artists DID work for & create illustrations for Frank Leslie’s newspaper. SO… after a little hair pulling, a bit of low-key cursing, and mildly aggressive treatment to my keyboard… I decided I could take no more so… good luck to you my friend, have at it!! Hahaha… No matter… either way, if you are a tennis lover… this piece is a MUST for you & your collection. But be advised… this piece is being sold for its decorative purposes & not collectability. It is beautifully framed in a gorgeous wood frame with a black painted edge between natural wood outer & inner edges and it’s double matted with a khaki matte w/green trim surrounding the print. The image captures a professional tennis player swinging at the ball while sprinting toward the crowd that is sitting courtside, watching the game in the grass. Looks like it was an exciting match!! This incredible piece would be a FANTASTIC addition to a game room, study, office, or any room you want to display a handsome piece of historical Staten Island; New York hosted… FIRST EVER National lawn-tennis tournament terrific-ness!!!!
Frank Leslie’s illustrated newspaper was an American illustrated itinerary and news magazine founded in 1855 and published until 1922. It was later renamed Leslie’s Weekly and throughout its existence it provided reports & illustrations based on sketches & photography beginning with daguerreotypes and later, more advanced photography. Frank Leslie was the pen name of Henry Carter who was the son of a well-off English glovemaker. Henry had taken up the art of wood engraving over his father’s objection and he emigrated to New York City in 1848, immediately adopted “Frank Leslie” as his pseudonym and as he was unable to find a position with an established newspaper, he opened his own engraving shop on Broadway. Eventually, P.T. Barnum launched a publication called “The Illustrated News” in 1853 and hired Leslie as chief engraver, but it failed in the first year. So, he decided to begin publishing on his own launching two periodicals in 1854 which were both successful and in 1855 he added a third publication he called “Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper.” Frank Leslie passed away in 1880, and the magazine continued with his widow until her death in 1912, & shortly after, it merged into “Judge,” a weekly satirical magazine.
In THIS game… YOU have the “advantage!!!” Don’t let this magnificent hand colored lithograph print framed art piece of the First National lawn-tennis tournament in Staten Island, New York call “game point!” This is your “Match Point” folks!!! Call it… and make it YOURS!!!
