Catalogue for the auction of
Cricket, Football, Golf & Sporting Memorabilia
Held on Friday, Saturday & Sunday
29th, 30th November & 1st December 2024
Lot 331
Estimate: £150/250
Hammer: £90
A late one-piece cricket bat. A mid 19th Century one-piece cricket bat made by John Thompson of Windsor and dated 1848. The bat is unspliced, narrow and straight shouldered with an unusually slightly convex face and the back of the blade is humped. The bat was made for a right handed batsman and measures 34.25”, weighing 2lbs 9oz, bound handle. There is what appears to be an old museum label to the back of the bat which reads ‘Bat dating 1848. Belonging to G. Mellor. Given to his great grandson Raymond by his uncle P.H. Mellor, August 1933’ in ink. The bat by direct descent for G. Mellor. An early and rare bat. Good condition. Sold with the late vendor’s research notes giving further information on the bat.
This bat was made about ten years after spliced bats were first produced and therefore was unlikely to have been made for a notable cricketer. Although it has no spice nor springs, the ‘sweet spot of this bat is amazingly large and gives a good insight into how effective the bats of this period had become.