'Close of Play'

‘Bibliography of the work of the late F.S. Ashley-Cooper. Correspondence, Lists etc.’. A large ‘Newspaper Cuttings’ scrapbook album compiled by G. Neville Weston, with handwritten title label to front cover, comprising research material for, and the publication of, ‘A Bibliography of the Works of F.S. Ashley-Cooper’, which Weston published privately in 1933 as a limited edition of 100 copies (Padwick 42). Loosely inserted to the front is a typed numbered list of those who received copies, a draft typescript of Weston’s introduction with handwritten corrections, describing Ashley-Cooper as ‘probably the greatest authority on Cricket History’, and receipts, newspaper cutting reviews etc. The opening pages of the album comprise Weston’s handwritten index of the writers of letters in the scrapbook, followed by an extensive section comprising letters from correspondents relating to the genesis of the bibliography, many of which allude to the inspiration for its production. These include a copy of a letter from T.R. Hunter, the newly appointed Secretary of the Cricketana Society, forwarded by the Birmingham booksellers and publishers, Cotterell & Co., with Hunter’s list of Ashley-Cooper’s published writings enclosed including ‘one or two inaccuracies’, and Weston’s typed copy replies to Hunter in which Weston refers to his own (then incomplete) bibliography numbering some 75 publications. Further letters include a number from John Wisden & Co. stating that Ashley-Cooper wrote ‘103 books and pamphlets on cricket... [based on] information obtained by Mr. C. Steward Caine, who was a personal friend’, and a selection of correspondence with A.W. Shelton who appears to have encouraged Weston to complete the compilation of the complete bibliography, also signed letters from Ashley-Cooper prior to his death in 1932. There then follows a section of correspondence relating to the printing of the title and subsequent distribution, with the remainder containing an extensive collection of letters from recipients of the book, a good number handwritten and signed, all expressing their admiration and thanks. Correspondents include Charles Pratt Green, Henry Ling, Neville Cardus, Julien Cahn, R.P. Keigwin, Raymond Robertson-Glasgow, Pelham Warner, H.S. Altham, J.M. Barrie, E.V. Lucas, C.E.M. Wilson, Tom Higson, ‘Shrimp’ Leveson-Gower, Lord Hawke, F.S. Jackson, J.B. Payne, R.H. Lyttelton, A.W. Pullin (‘Old Ebor’), J.C. Snaith, C.J. Britton, Hubert Preston, Ashley-Cooper’s widow etc. Several letters are addressed to Shelton who had taken several copies to present to people. At the rear of the album is a selection of letters from Irving Rosenwater dated 1954 in which Rosenwater is enquiring about obtaining a copy, Weston offering one for sale for three guineas. Rosenwater also writes about Ashley-Cooper’s birth date and name having found a birth certificate for ‘Frederick Samuel Cooper’, born on 22nd March 1877 at Southwark, suggesting he had added ‘Ashley’ to his name in his teenage years. A fascinating record of the compilation of this important reference work of Ashley-Cooper’s writings on cricket. Very good condition.