This book is a photographic record of early lawn tennis. Tennis in the 19th Century was mostly played by the upper social classes, although some homeowners of moderate income did build private courts. Their courts often were sloped, cow-pasture bumpy, and included hazards such as boulders and trees. Ordinary people mostly wore their formal street clothes to play the game. The photographs in this book show a far different look to the game than that of today. The book looks into the faces of these long dead people and enters the sunny landscapes of their distant years.

This book is a photographic celebration of early lawn tennis, Lawn tennis in the 19th Century was essentially a game played by the upper social classes, although some homeowners of moderate income did build tennis courts on their property. Courts at the large country manors and estates were established on or near the croquet lawns and often provided a reasonable surface for play. The courts of lesser houses often were sloped, had uneven surfaces and included hazards such as boulders, shrubbery and trees. Players would wear their ordinary every-day clothes to play a game. The photographs in this book show a game very different from that of today. We will look into the faces of these departed people and enter the sunny landscapes of their distant years. Enjoy your journey back through time.