George Bush’s personally-owned and -used tennis racket, used while serving as vice president and president. Green-framed Head Elite Pro racket has a leather grip and two broken strings. Racket comes in its original carrying case, notated on the inside “POTUS 1-89,” and “Vice Pres. Bush. This racquet is for a real pro. Hope you enjoy it. Clock Tower, Rex Parker.” Also included is a green tennis ball, with Bush’s facsimile signature printed on one side and the presidential seal printed on the opposite side. Accompanied by two handwritten 1991 letters of authenticity from Lewis M. Hubbard, on House of Representatives stationery, who was presented the racket directly from President Bush. First letter reads, in part: “The Green Head tennis raquet [sic] was owned and used by President George Bush as Vice President and President. I played tennis with George Bush on several occasions. In the Fall of 1989, at the White House Tennis Courts, where he beat me in a doubles match. He gave me his own raquet [sic] after he noticed the quality of mine was lacking!” Second letter presents the racket to Raleigh DeGeer Amyx, and reads, in part: “I, Lewis M. Hubbard, hereby donate…a tennis raquet [sic]…owned and used by President George H. Bush. This tennis raquet [sic] was given to Lewis M. Hubbard after a game at the White House tennis court…The foursome that day included the President, Congressman ‘Sonny’ Montgomery, former Congressman and Secretary of the Interior Tom Kleppe and me. The President and Cong. Montgomery wiped us out that day. President Bush, noticing that I had an ‘old’ wooden raquet [sic] suggested that I should try this new high-tech one and if I liked it I could have it.” Also included is a photo of Hubbard posing with the racket and one of his letters, and a photocopy of a signed photo of Bush, Hubbard, and Montgomery posing together at an event, signed and inscribed from Bush to Hubbard. Also shown online is a 1994 photo of Mr. Amyx with President Bush’s personal assistant, Patty Presock, who kindly befriended Mr. Amyx and helped him make the connections to acquire this item. In fine condition, with aforementioned broken strings. Bush was an avid sportsman, enjoying tennis, golf, and fishing, and known to be a fierce competitor. To our knowledge, this is the first example of personally-owned sports equipment from President Bush ever offered. A potentially impressive wall display piece.
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