Fessenden Blanchard Scrapbook (1928-1940)

Blanchard kept two valuable scrapbooks covering the development of the game in the early years. This one covered the years through 1940. The second one covered 1928 - 1963 (the year of his death). There is some considerable overlap in material between the two and this one has a number of historical photographs that have been "borrowed" by others in writing about the sport and have been lost. Nevertheless, there is a fascinating tale being told in both books for those interested in the very early days of the game.

Lob becomes new weapon in the sport

In 1941, a powerful new type of play carried a new star to three championships. Clifford S. Sutter, former third ranking tennis player of the United States and twice intercollegiate champion, supported by his partner, J. B. Maguire, developed the exciting possibilities of the lobbing game. With almost unbelievable accuracy in their deep lobs and exceptional skill in taking the ball off the back and side wiring, Sutter and Maguire were able to keep the ball in play, even though their opponents were constantly smashing for the corners. For a time, at least, it seemed they had found the answer to the net game. Source: Fessenden S. Blanchard, Paddle Tennis, 1944

Pearl Harbor and US enters WWII – Dec. 1941

Fessenden Blanchard publishes Paddle Tennis

Blanchard’s book covered the origins and history of Playground Paddle Tennis and Platform Paddle Tennis. It also chronicled the court configurations, rules governing each game, playing strategies and tournament champions. Blanchard continued to be a prolific writer about the game and was its most ardent promoter. Scarsdale Inquirer, December 22, 1944

Founding of Rye Invitational

Let rule adopted for ball over the backstop

As play improved, balls were occasionally bounced over the 12-foot wiring, ending a rally and making it necessary to chase the ball for some distance. This was corrected when the APTA adopted a rule regarding balls bouncing over the backstop: "A ball which lands in court of play and bounces up and over side or back walls should be considered a 'let ball' and the point replayed."

Interest in the game from north of the border

The APTA had an inquiry from Department of Agriculture, in Quebec, Canada. “Having been in charge of this district for the Province of Quebec Lawn Tennis Association,” said the letter, “I am convinced that paddle tennis will be popular but the older members are skeptic about the whole thing.” Blanchard recalled how similar this was to Fox Meadow’s initial take on the game. Source: Fessenden S. Blanchard Platform Paddle Tennis, 1959

WWII hostilities cease – Sept. 1945