Vellum-Covered Battledores 1861 - Roots of Badminton

Vellum-covered battledores were produced in Europe during the first half of the nineteenth century. Racquets consisted of a wooden frame covered with a stretched sheet of vellum. The material was prepared from calf or goat skin and fixed tightly around the rim with small nails or tacks. The surface created a dry and distinct sound when the shuttlecock made contact. The wood was often ash or beech. Handles were short, straight, and sometimes wrapped with thin leather for better grip.

Vellum-Covered Battledores, 1861

These racquets were common in Britain, France, and Germany. They appeared in household play sets and were used indoors and outdoors. The game of battledore and shuttlecock became widespread among families and in schools. Children practiced coordination, and adults used the game as a form of gentle exercise. Trade catalogues from around 1850 show boxed sets containing paired battledores and feathered shuttlecocks. Shops in London and Paris offered models described as suitable for ladies and gentlemen. The length and weight of the battledore varied between adult and child versions.

Side view of a battledore

Vellum was treated with natural oils and varnishes to resist humidity. When the material dried, it contracted and produced a very tight striking surface. Makers appreciated vellum for its consistency and durability. The tension remained stable under changing temperature conditions, which made these racquets reliable for frequent use. Surviving examples confirm the precision of the handmade construction. Some pieces retain visible tool marks and varnish layers that indicate manual polishing after assembly.

Player practicing garden tennis, 1887

During the nineteenth century, the game spread from parlors to gardens and schoolyards. It was often played cooperatively, with participants counting how long the shuttlecock could remain in the air. Illustrations from children’s books and period journals depict groups of players in domestic settings. By the 1870s, production of vellum-covered battledores decreased as stringed models became more common. The design principles of the vellum-covered battledore influenced early badminton racquets, which adopted similar dimensions of head and handle.

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Andreas Fixemer

Berlin Tennis Gallery

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