Catalogue for the auction of
Cricket, Football & Sporting Memorabilia
To be held on Thursday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday
6th, 7th, 8th & 9th August 2026
Lot 25
Estimate: £70/100
Henry Phillips. Sussex 1868-1891. ‘H. Phillips’ Benefit’ 1886. Small original admission ticket for Phillips’ benefit match, Sussex v Gloucestershire at Hove 7th- 9th June 1886. Annotation in ink to verso, ‘1886. Match Receipts £356.17.0 (this included £100 from Lord Sheffield)’. 3.5”x2.5”. Tape to top and bottom edges, otherwise in good/ very good condition. Sold with an original carte de visite sepia photograph of Phillips, half length wearing cricket attire and cap 2.5”x4.26”. Photographer unknown. Adhesive marks to verso, otherwise in good condition. Qty 2.
Henry Phillips was a noted wicket-keeper who played in 216 first-class matches, mainly for Sussex. The vendor’s notes describe him as ‘Harry’ Phillips which may have been his nickname. In his Benefit match, Gloucestershire, captained by W.G. Grace who scored half-centuries in both innings, fielded a below-strength team, Grace’s cousin, Alfred Grace, making the first of only two first-class appearances and taking his only wicket with the first ball he bowled! Sussex ran out winners by ten wickets, Phillips scoring 17no in the first innings with six dismissals (five caught, one stumped) in the match.