Catalogue for the auction of
Cricket, Football, Golf & Sporting Memorabilia

To be held on Friday, Saturday & Sunday
29th, 30th November & 1st December 2024

A John Fensom split cane handled bat of 1877. Impressed to the front shoulders and on the front and back of the splice are the names ‘J. Fensom’, repeated to the top of the central cane of the handle. On the back is a silver shield engraved ‘Presented to B. Dawson by his friends for his score of 47, Yeadon v. Otley 6th Aug.t. 1877’. The back rises to a shallow hump from the splice, flattening towards the toe. The handle is formed from eight triangular canes joined to three rectangular strips of willow, bound and covered with black rubber grip. The bat measures 34.5”, and weighs 2lbs 4oz. Sold with the late vendor’s research notes giving further information on the bat. The wood very darkened, but in very good condition.
John Fensom set up his business close to Lord’s at 33 St. John’s Wood Terrace, London. The method used to make the handle of this bat was becoming outdated, and Fensom’s son(?), Frank Edwin, who took over the business, applied for a patent for a new handle design in 1885. A copy of this original patent is included.

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