25th Feb, 2026 11:00
A gold-plated medal presented to Alfred Lyttelton (1857-1913), for his victory in the M.C.C. 'Gold Racquet' amateur real tennis competition in 1894, a title he won on twelve separate occasions. The obverse of the medal shows the MCC logo and 'Challenge Tennis Prize', the reverse is engraved, 'WON BY A. LYTTELTON 1894', diameter 5cm.
E.B. Noel and J.O.M. Clark (A History of Tennis, 1924) said of the annual competition, “The prizes often retain the name of the 'Gold and Silver Racquet', but in reality they are both cups, to be held for the year and never won outright, while the winners also receive a medal. Alfred Lyttelton QC was a British politician and sportsman who excelled at tennis, football and cricket. During his time at university, he participated in Varsity Matches in five sports: real tennis (1877-79), cricket (1876-79), football (1876-78), athletics (1876) and rackets (1877-79). Arguably, he was the pre-eminent sportsman of his generation. He was, among numerous other achievements, the first man to represent England at both football and cricket. Lyttelton was also a successful politician.
Sold for £350
Condition Report
Wear and rubbing to the gold plate.
A gold-plated medal presented to Alfred Lyttelton (1857-1913), for his victory in the M.C.C. 'Gold Racquet' amateur real tennis competition in 1894, a title he won on twelve separate occasions. The obverse of the medal shows the MCC logo and 'Challenge Tennis Prize', the reverse is engraved, 'WON BY A. LYTTELTON 1894', diameter 5cm.
