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

M.C.C. tour to North America 1905. Francis Anthony Hoste Henley. Oxford University & Middlesex 1903-1908. Large original and personal photograph/ scrap album with title in gilt to front ‘Tour of the M.C.C. in America and Canada July 11th- August 26th 1905’ and the owner’s initials in gilt ‘F.A.H.H.’, assumed to be Henley’s personal copy compiled by himself. The contents comprise some thirty original mono photographs, the majority candid in style, also a good selection of menus (some signed), postcards, cuttings, leaflets etc. from the tour, which was made up almost entirely of Oxford and Cambridge University players, captained by E.W. Mann (Cambridge University & Kent 1902-1905). The majority of photographs measure 5.5”x3.25” and depict travelling on board ship, matches in progress, excursions to Staten Island New York and Niagara Falls, attending a baseball match in Montreal, all neatly captioned with location and names of individuals featured. One nice larger photograph measuring 9.5”x7.5” is of the two teams for the ‘8th & last match, M.C.C. v. XVIII of Quebec’. Other items include programmes of entertainment on board ship, newspaper cuttings with reports of matches played, ‘Allan Line’ first-class passenger list booklet from the R.M.S. Virginian on which the party voyaged back to Liverpool from Quebec 18th August with additional ‘Programme of Entertainment’ for 25th August, also tourist pamphlets, photographs and postcards for attractions including Niagara Falls, and an original Montreal Baseball Club scorebook 1905. Also official menus for dinners including one held at Haverford 29th July, profusely signed in pencil by members of the touring party and others, Ottawa C.C. 12th August signed by eighteen, The Canada Club 14th August etc. In addition to members of the touring party, signatures include notable American cricketers including John A. Lester, C. Christopher Morris, J. Henry Scattergood, J. Barton King of Philadelphia etc. A very nicely compiled album with good early cricket and cultural interest. Some rubbing to board edges, otherwise in very good condition.