Catalogue for the auction of
Cricket, Football & Sporting Memorabilia

To be held on Thursday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday
6th, 7th, 8th & 9th August 2026

William Lloyd Murdoch. New South Wales, Sussex, London County, Australia & England 1875-1904. Original and interesting two page folding letter handwritten in black ink from Murdoch to ‘Musgrave’, [Harry Musgrove played one Test match for Australia against England in 1885 and was manager of the 1896 Australian touring party], dated 10th July 1896. Writing from Hove in Sussex, Murdoch is writing to ask for a Test match ticket for an acquaintance from Cornhill, London ‘I am on the beg once more. I would be really obliged if you would send a ticket... He has always been a very keen supporter of Australian cricket and a few years ago had a good deal to do in getting up the Banquet given us by the Lord Mayor. I am very delighted that you are doing so well and pray that you will wind up the world[?] and beat England. Kindly congratulate old Frank Iredale for me. Trusting you are very well with kind regards to all, your truly William H. Murdoch’. Signed letters from Murdoch are rare. Horizontal and vertical folds, some breaking to the horizontal fold, some nicks and tears to edges otherwise in good condition.
Billy Murdoch is listed as player/cap number thirteen in the list of Australian Test players and he played his first Test match for Australia, in the second Test ever played, against England at Melbourne in March/April 1877. He captained Australia in sixteen Tests from 1880 to 1890, this included four tours to England one of which, in 1882, gave rise to The Ashes. He died in Melbourne in 1911, aged only 56.Murdoch was captain of Sussex when this letter was written. Frank Iredale had made 171 against the Players in the previous tour match which had finished the day before the letter was written. The ticket request was probably for the second Test at Old Trafford which was due to commence four days later

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