HELEN WILLS d1998. American tennis player. She won 31 career Grand Slam tournament titles (singles / doubles and mixed doubles) including 19 singles titles during the 1920-30s. She was the first American woman athlete to become a global celebrity despite her preference for staying out of the limelight. She was admired for her graceful physique and for her fluid motion. She was part of a new tennis fashion playing in knee-length pleated skirts rather than the longer ones of her predecessors and was known for wearing her hallmark white visor. Unusually she often played with men to hone her craft and a relentless (predominantly baseline game) wearing down her female opponents with power and accuracy. In February 1926 she played a high-profile and widely publicised match against Suzanne Lenglen which became known as the Match of the Century. She had a 180-match win streak from 1927 until 1933. In 1933 she beat the eighth-ranked US male player in an exhibition match. Her record of eight wins at Wimbledon was not surpassed until 1990 when Martina Navratilova won her ninth. She was said to be "arguably the most dominant tennis player of the 20th century" and has been called by some commentators the greatest female player in history. She died in California aged 92 on January 1st 1998

A desirable original vintage circa 1930s handwritten and signed letter in ink on Great Fosters Egham Surrey headed paper by Helen Wills Moody

"Dear Mrs Wolfe. Thank you for your very kind letter and invitation to lunch on the week of the 17th. I am afraid I shall be here at Great Fosters during that week when I shall not be playing in a tournament so would not be able to lunch in town. Hoping to see you and Mr Wolfe at some other time. Yours very sincerely Helen Wills Moody"

From a wonderful early 20th century autograph album collected by H Williams of Uppingham School Rutland containing many signed letters and clippings by notable pioneers of the period. AFTAL Dealer No13 and UACC RD Memorabilia UK COA

ID:132428 (BOX)