Catalogue for the auction of
Cricket, Football, Golf & Sporting Memorabilia
Held on Friday, Saturday & Sunday
21st, 22nd & 23rd March 2025
Lot 826
Estimate: £800/1200
Hammer: £700
‘The Australian Cricketers’ Tour through Australia, New Zealand, and Great Britain’ containing a full racy account of the matches, dinners, excursions &c in which they have been engaged. by Argus (P.E. Reynolds) 1878. 8vo. Original printed pictorial purple wrappers featuring Spofforth to centre. The book rather crudely bound to spine, loss to wrapper extremities at front and rear, some rounding to wrapper and page corners, slight soiling to title page and last advertising page otherwise in good condition. A very scarce tour brochure
Rare account of the first tour of England. Belief in the natural superiority of English cricket was shattered by Australia’s nine wicket win at Lord’s over an M.C.C. club team which included W.G. Grace. ‘The tour was ... a tremendous success, and it established in England a healthy respect for Australian cricket, especially in bowling, fielding and wicket-keeping, where Blackham made a big reputation. The only discord arose from the ‘removal’ of Midwinter and the claim that Grace and others were paid for their services ... The real pity is that there was no Test match’ (Moyes, p. 175). It is from Reynolds specifically that we know the Australians wore blue and white caps and scarves, and looked ‘uncommonly well’ (see Moyes p. 171). Padwick 4968
A copy of this book, bound with original wrappers sold for £12,000 (hammer) in the Knights auction of March 2023. This copy was sold as lot 37 in the ‘Judge Wakley’ auction held by Bonhams in April 2003
A copy of this book, bound with original wrappers sold for £12,000 (hammer) in the Knights auction of March 2023. This copy was sold as lot 37 in the ‘Judge Wakley’ auction held by Bonhams in April 2003