Catalogue for the auction of
Cricket, Football & Sporting Memorabilia
Held on Friday, Saturday & Sunday
10th, 11th & 12th April 2026
Lot 1630
Estimate: £60/90
Hammer: £75
England v Italy 1934/35. ‘The Battle of Highbury’. Early official programme for the iconic ‘friendly’ international played at Highbury 14th November 1934. Vol. XXIII, No. 15. No annotations. Slight rusting to staples, otherwise in good/ very good condition.
Billed as the ‘Real World Cup’, England, who hadn’t entered the 1934 World Cup, took on the recently crowned World Champions, Italy. The match was infamous for its brutality, Italian defender Luis Monti suffering a broken foot early in the match reducing Italy to ten men for the remainder of the game, England captain, Eddie Hapgood, sustained a broken nose, amongst other injuries. The Italian ‘Lions of Highbury’ fought back in the second half from 3-0 down, but England, starting with seven Arsenal players, held on to win 3-2.