Below is the list of tables from the database along with their columns and datatype. Need to generate an accurate SQL query for the question.
Only use the columns present in the respective table. Only use the columns which are required to generate the SQL query. Only use table joins if required and not otherwise.

### Tables ###
TABLE: CREATE TABLE table_47938 ( "Tournament" text, "Country" text, "Location" text, "Current Venue" text, "Began" real, "Court surface" text )

### Question ###
What was the surface played on for the match than began before 1897?

### Accurate SQL ###

SELECT "Court surface" FROM table_47938 WHERE "Began" < '1897'