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

Cricket stumps circa early 1820’s. Six oval, rather than circular, cricket stumps used during this early period. Four of the stumps are marked ‘Clapshaw’ (maker). and each of these stumps feature three metal bands, one set at the top, one set centrally in the middle of the stump and one should be set at the bottom of each stump but all four are missing, some of the bands present are insecure. The other two stumps have no bands but have each been bound one inch from the top. These may not be the original two that made up the set but are very similar. The stumps measures 26” (above the ground) and measure 0.87” wide. The three stumps had wooden tongues to allow them to be set into the ground, During this period, the wicket was set to measure 7” so the bails would measure 3.5” each. After 1816 ‘throwing’ (raising the bowling arm above 90 degrees) became rife in English cricket as the bowlers sought to combat ever improving batting techniques and improved pitches. Rather than allow this, the M.C.C. sought other ways to assist the hard pressed bowlers. In 1820 the rules were changed to heighten the stumps by two inches from 24” to 26” and to allow a new ball at the start of each innings. This proved to be a temporary measure because in 1823 the rules were again changed and the height of stumps was raised to 27”. The wicket was widened again to measure 8” and crucially, the rules now stated that the stumps must be thick enough to prevent the ball from passing between them. These six stumps were amongst the last to conform with the old ruling. Sold with the vendors notes on the items. Historic items from the early days of the game