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

To be held on Friday, Saturday & Sunday
21st, 22nd & 23rd March 2025

‘W.G. Grace at the Wicket’. Original sepia photogravure, after Archibald Stuart Wortley 1890, of the famous painting of Grace in batting pose at Lord’s, which hangs in the Long Room at Lord’s. Published by Manson, Swan and Morgan, Newcastle upon Tyne, 1st May 1891, printed in Berlin, with cricket ball remarque to lower border. Signed in pencil to lower border by the subject, W.G. Grace, and by the artist, Wortley and limited to 100 copies. The photogravure, measuring 18”x22.5”, is laid down to board, overall 20.5”x25”. Good/very good condition. The archetypal portrait of Grace and an iconic image of the golden age of cricket.
A pupil of Sir John Everett Millais, Archibald J. Stuart Wortley (1849-1905) was a portrait and sporting painter of considerable renown. This limited edition photogravure, signed by both the artist and W.G. Grace, is based on an oil painting which was commissioned by the M.C.C. by means of subscriptions in 1888-90, and now hangs in the Long Room. The artist was paid £300. The scene is Lord’s Ground with the old tennis court in the background, now the site of the Mound Stand. ‘When standing for this picture, W.G. took up his characteristic and delightful pose. The artist hesitated: ‘But Dr Grace, would you stand as easily if the game were in a tight place?’ he asked. ‘Certainly’ was the reply, ‘because, after all, I should only be facing the next ball’.

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