Pre-War Cards

‘It’s In The Details’

Title	Sarony Tennis Strokes
Year	1923
Size	1 1/2″ x 2 5/8″
Images	Color
Type	Tobacco
Number in Set	25

1923 Sarony Tennis Strokes Overview

The 1923 Sarony Tennis Strokes set features the various types of shots in the sport. The cards show mostly players hitting different shots but some are closeups of a player’s wrist or arm to showcase a particular grip.

The cards are mostly black and white, showing players in that format. However, they are also partially color images as the backgrounds are an olive green color. The Tennis Strokes name is at the top of every card with the bottom providing a title or description of what is shown. The texture of the cards is somewhat unique as they have a bit of a chalky/rough feel to them.

The set focuses on forehand strokes, service, backhand strokes, and volleys. Five cards are dedicated to each area, other than the volleys, which were discussed on ten cards.

The issue was distributed in packages of Sarony cigarettes cards made by Nicholas Sarony & Company, which was based out of London in the UK. Backs included a longer description of what was depicted on the front of the card with those excerpts being taken from a book, “How to Play Lawn Tennis,” as credited. Sarony also printed another set in 1923 called the Origin of Games. That set reviewed the earliest forms for numerous sports, including tennis.

The book was written by Irish tennis player J.C. (James Cecil) Parke. Parke’s name is on the cards and he is the player demonstrating the tennis shots on the front. In addition to tennis, Parke also played golf and rugby.

As an earlier set, these cards command a bit more than the 1930s UK issues, typically selling for about $2-$3 or so each, though they can sometimes be found for less.

1923 Sarony Tennis Strokes Checklist

1. Forehand – Grip
2. Forehand – Moment of Impact
3. Forehand – Moment of Impact for Low Hopping Ball
4. Forehand – Finish of Swing
5. Forehand – Finish of Swing for Cross-court Drive
6. Service – Stance when Awaiting Service (Right Court)
7. Service – Stance when Awaiting Service (Left Court)
8. Service – Beginning of Swing
9. Service – Moment of Impact
10. Service – Finish of Swing
11. Backhand – English Grip
12. Backhand – Beginning of Swing
13. Backhand – Moment of Impact
14. Backhand – Moment of Impact, Low Bounding Ball
15. Backhand – Finish of Swing
16. Volley – Beginning of Swing for Smash
17. Volley – Moment of Impact in Smash
18. Volley – Finish of Swing in Smash
19. Volley – Moment of Impact in Backhand Smash
20. Volley – Shoulder-high Volley on Forehand
21. Volley – Shoulder-high Volley on Backhand Straight Down Line
22. Volley – Shoulder-high Volley on Backhand Across Court
23. Volley – Forehand Low Volley Across Court
24. Volley – Forehand Low Volley Drop-shot or Straight Down Line
25. Volley – Low Volley Backhand Drop-shot or Straight Down Line

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