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

Brian Johnston. Broadcaster and cricket commentator. An interesting selection in two matching folders comprising poetry, scripts and letters from the estate of Brian Johnston. Contained in one folder is a large collection of original poems about spin bowlers, ‘Unforgettable Men of Mystery’ by Les Bailey, each neatly handwritten on forty six numbered pages and additional title page dedicated to Brian Johnston, introductory page dated 1976 (both signed by Bailey) and index, all pages with file holes. Subjects include Alfred Shaw, Johnny Briggs, Bobby Peel, Colin Blythe, Bernard Bosanquet, Wilfred Rhodes, Tich Freeman, Clarrie Grimmett, Hedley Verity, Sonny Ramadhin, Bishen Bedi etc. Also a handwritten letter dated 1977 from Bailey to Johnston with further accompanying typed poems, each signed by Bailey. Each page measures 8”x10”. The second folder contains an unpublished illustrated typescript describing the only cricket match to be played to date at the Olympic Games, in Paris 1900, in which Great Britain beat the only other competing team, France, to win the gold medal, with copies of contemporary press reports, and details of the Devon County Wanderers cricket club who provided a number of the players for the British team. Slipped in is a copy of the booklet ‘A Great Day for England. How an England side became Olympic Cricket Champions...’ by Keith Gregson 2007 about cricket at the 1900 Paris Olympics. Signed in ink to the front cover by Tom Graveney, Ken Palmer and Roy Swetman. Further contents include an annual report for Paddington Chapel C.C. 1928, the odd letter to Johnston, copy cartoons, an original undated typescript of a six page article by Johnston titled ‘Good on yer Cobber!’ describing his first commentary experiences in Australia, three further typed poems by Les Bailey etc. Very good condition.