Catalogue for the auction of
Cricket, Football & Sporting Memorabilia

‘Cricket’. W.G. Grace. J.W. Arrowsmith, Bristol and Simpkin, Marshall, Hamilton, Kent & Co. London 1891. Original green cloth, with gilt titles to front board and spine. With inscription to front end paper ‘With the Publisher’s kind regards 11/6/91 (11th June 1891) and nicely signed in ink by W.G. Grace. The book was presented to Mr Ronald L. Elliott, a cricket writer for the Bristol Evening Post, in 1950 as a thank you from Edgar M. Grace, E.M. Grace’s son for writing a biography of W.G. Grace’s brother, G.F. Grace, which was published in the newspaper. The book with wear and discolouration to the rear board, minor break to the base of the front internal hinge and nick to light yellow front end page. Inside the book Elliott found a rare original menu for the Dinner held to celebrate the completion and publication of the book ‘Cricket’ which he wrote with the assistance of W. Methven Brownlee. The Dinner was held at Glena House, Bristol on the 2nd May 1891. The front and rear covers of the menu are based on the actual covers of the book itself The Dinner was attended by fourteen guests including W.G. Grace, Brownlee, Arrowsmith, the publisher, fellow cricketers, J.A. Bush, J.J. Ferris, C. Strachen, other guests include H.W. Gibbs, a Bristol Sheriff, I.M. Dunlop, a Restaurateur, E.G. Clarke, a Solicitor etc. The book and menu sold with a typed page from Ronald Elliott of the Bristol Evening Post detailing the provenance of the book and a handwritten two page letter, on ‘Park House, Thornbury, Bristol’ headed paper, dated 5th October 1950 from Edgar M. Grace regarding the writing of the G.F. Grace biography ‘May I take this opportunity to compliment you on your effort and say how much I appreciate it’ plus various related newspaper cuttings. A rarely seen publisher’s presentation edition of ‘Cricket’ signed by Grace, a very rare Dinner menu of the book’s launch, only previously seen and sold once by the auctioneer and excellent provenance