PERRY, Fred. Signed Grand Tennis Exhibition Programme. Perth Ice Rink, 25th August, 1951.

Perth: Thomas Hunter & Sons Ltd., 1951. Original illustrated programme, [8]pp., printed in blue, photographic portraits and biographical notices. Signed by Fred Perry in ink across his photograph on the front wrapper. Contemporary manuscript scores entered on the programme-of-play page. Original pictorial wrappers, priced sixpence. In very good condition.

An excellent piece of signed Fred Perry memorabilia, dating from Perry’s post-Wimbledon professional career. One of the greatest figures in British tennis, Perry won eight Grand Slam singles titles and remains celebrated for his three consecutive Wimbledon championships of 1934–36. His bold autograph directly across his action portrait makes this considerably more desirable than an unsigned exhibition programme.

The Perth exhibition featured Perry alongside Hans Nüsslein, Mohamed Ali and Johannes de Mos, with singles and doubles matches recorded in the programme. The contemporary manuscript results give the copy additional immediacy as an apparently match-used souvenir. A scarce survival, particularly desirable signed by Fred Perry on the cover.

[WR sport]