Catalogue for the auction of
Cricket, Football & Sporting Memorabilia

‘Cricket. An Heroic Poem Illustrated with the Critical Observations of Scriblerus Maximus... by James Love, Comedian’. James Dance. Printed for the Author, London 1770. Fourth edition. iv, 30pp. Dedicated ‘To the Members of the Cricket Club, at Richmond, in Surrey’. The first separately published poem on cricket. James Dance (1722-1774) assumed the name of Love as a compliment to his wife. The mock heroic couplets describe the match between Kent and England played on the Artillery Ground on the 2nd June 1744. This edition has an additional five page Epilogue titled ‘Bucks Have at Ye All’. Bound in quarter calf with marbled boards, raised bands and gilt title ‘James Love- Cricket- 1770’ to spine. Padwick 6445. Rubbing to leather spine. Some wear to spine of title page, otherwise in remarkably good condition. One of the rarest cricket books.