Cricket Memorabilia – Autographed Team sheets, Signed Scorecards, Real Press Photos, Tour Brochures, Autographed Bats, Cricket Collectables.

Jim Laker Cricket Memorabilia is often sold as reprinted material; genuine original items are relatively scarce and are becoming sought after by collectors of Cricketana.

Jim Laker (1922 – 1988) was a master of spin bowling who played in 46 Test Matches in the late 1940s and 1950s taking 193 Test wickets at 21.24. During his First Class career he played for Surrey CCC taking 1944 wickets at an average of 18.41.

Of his many Cricket achievements one which particularly stands out is the occasion at Old Trafford in 1956 when Jim took 19 Australian wickets in one Test Match. Having been run out for 3 runs in the 1^st innings he set about the Australian batsman leaving only Ray Lindwall at the crease (Jim Burke was bowled by Tony Lock, Leics, Surrey).

In the 2^nd innings Australian skipper Ian Johnson was the only man left standing at the wicket. Not surprisingly England won the match by an innings and 173 runs.

JC Laker was born in Shipley West Yorkshire; in his early cricketing days he showed a preference for pace bowling rather than the slow off spin which would make him a household name.

Showing a keen interest in Cricket Jim attended Herbert Sutcliffe’s indoor Cricket nets at Headingley He soon became a member of the Saltaire Cricket Club playing in the Bradford League, at his stage Jim was better known for his batting than his wicket taking.

Stationed in the Middle East at the beginning of WW2, with the Royal Army Ordinance Corps Jim found himself in the company of other notable Cricketers and was soon playing matches between representative service sides with the encouragement of Norman Yardley. Returning from his overseas duties he was billeted in Catford London where he joined the local Cricket Club, it is interesting that from his days at the indoor nets at Headingley the natural progression for one showing Jim’s Cricket talents would have been a trial for Yorkshire CCC however having made an impression at Catford that enviable opportunity was afforded to Surrey CCC who signed him as a professional in 1946. His debut for Surrey was at the Oval where he was selected to play the Combined Services in July 1946 in the company of names such as Voce, Bedser, Shirreff and Watts, Jim scored 3 runs and took 3 wickets in the 1^st innings, followed by 3 wickets and a catch in the 2^nd innings, it was a good start.

Any Cricket Memorabilia from these early days is always very collectable I personally have not come across any prior to his First Class debut.

I have listed below some of the more memorable events in his career from which Cricket Collectables are sought after:

The first match I have listed is his test debut in Barbados.

1948 West Indies v England at Kensington Oval Bridgetown, 1^st innings 7/103. Match drawn. The skipper was Ken Cranston standing in for Gubby Allen who was injured whilst sailing to the island.

1948 England v Australia at Nottingham 1^st innings (Barnes,Morris,Miller,Johnson) 4/138) couldn’t stop Bradman making 138, Hassett 137, Australia won by 8 wickets.

1951 England v South Africa, Kennington Oval.

1956 England v Australia at Old Trafford, 9/37 and 10/53 in the 2^nd innings – Harvey, Mackay Maddocks, Johnson all went for ducks, plus 4 more players including Miller in the 2^nd innings.

Laker ended the Australian first innings with 7 wickets for 8 runs in 22 balls.

Any joint signatures from County Championship matches with his team mate Tony Lock are rare but great finds if you come across them. If they are authentic buy them. The two spin bowlers made a formidable partnership which helped win the County Championship on seven consecutive occasions.

Good luck with your collecting

Do let me know how you get on??

Tony Selby

Cricket Memorabilia

The Golden Boy of Cricket – Cricket Memorabilia – Tour Brochures, Mono Photos, Real Postcards, Team Autograph Sheets, Scorecards – The best Aussie all-rounder ever.

Keith Ross Miller (1919 – 2004) was a charismatic all round Australian Test Cricketer, an exceptional right hand batsman who would later become noted for his fast bowling talents.

Cricket Memorabilia associated with Miller is available, although it's certainly not as prolific as that originating from other players. I personally collect Memorabilia both pre and post war and am always interested in original Keith Miller Cricket Collectables. Early events are always of interest especially his early successes in the Sheffield Shield Competition; however after a brief description of the man himself, I shall list the memorable events that I find the most appealing from a Collectors point of view.

Keith Miller was born in Melbourne, he showed an early interest in Cricket and was selected for his school 1^st eleven when he was 14, by 1936 he was playing for South Melbourne where his evident talents came to the attention of the Victoria Cricket Association, playing for the Colts in the 1936/37 season.

Miller continued to make his mark in the Shield Competition whist performing well on the football pitch in the VFL competition playing for St Kilda. He made his First Class Cricket debut for Victoria v Tasmania in February 1938 marking the event by scoring 181 runs in the 1^st innings at Melbourne Cricket Club. There is a limited amount of memorabilia commemorating this important debut event.

In 1941 Miller joined the RAAF; he was awarded his wings in 1942. He spent most of the war in England assigned to 169 Squadron where he graduated to flying Mosquito bombers. He was awarded a number of military distinctions.

At the end of the War in 1945 Miller took part in a number Victory tests, these matches are excellent for Cricket Memorabilia enthusiasts and I have listed below ones of particular interest:

1945 England v Dominions at Lords (2^nd innings 185 Caught Langridge bowled Wright)

Batting on eight occasions at Lords in the 1945 season Miller scored 568 (94.68) including three 100s, all these early matches are very collectable as is his First Class debut in February 1938.

Millers first Ashes Test was at Brisbane and I have listed below a number of good examples of Cricket Memorabilia which is associated with some events:

1946 (Debut Ashes) Australia v England at Brisbane (1^st innings 79 runs, lbw a leg break from Doug Wright, followed with a 60/7 wickets. Bradman made 187) Australia won by an innings and 332 runs.

1946 Sheffield Shield Victoria v NSW, 1^st inning run out for 153.

1947 Australia v England at Adelaide 1^st innings 141 not out,( Bradman an unlightly duck) match drawn.

1948  MCC v Australia at Lords

1948 England v Australia  at Headingley.

Any of the 1948 Invincible tour - an excellent acquisition.

1950 Sheffield Shield Victoria v Queensland both innings.

1950 Australia v England at Sydney.

There are many instances of collectable matches including some notable matches, England v West Indies (155) and his final Ashes tour in 1956, I would personally be interested in any Keith Miller Cricket Memorabilia.

He played his final Test Match in 1956 against Pakistan.

In 1956 Keith Miller became a Member of the Order of the British Empire for his services to Cricket.

In 2005 he became a Member of the Order of Australia for services to sport.

Listed below are statistics of his First Class Cricket Career:

Batting and fielding averages cricinfo

Bowling averages

Good luck with your collecting.

Let me know how you get on??

Tony Selby

Cricket Memorabilia

The Invincibles Aussie Fast bowler who took 114 wickets in 29 Tests - Cricket Memorabilia - Official scorecards, Autograph Sheets, Photos; Tour Brochures are all in demand by Cricketana enthusiasts.

Australian Ray Lindwall (1921 – 1996) was regarded by many as the ultimate opening pace bowler, with all the attributes required to compete at the highest level, in swingers, out swingers, subtle pace changes, searing yorkers and intimidating bouncers were all part of his arsenal. Lindwall was a fast scoring batsman in fact the complete all-rounder.

Ray Lindwall was born in 1921 in Sydney New South Wales, he showed an early interest in Sport especially Rugby and Cricket, and encouraged by his headmaster at Marist Brothers Kogarah secondary school he soon joined the school eleven where he had many successes as a schoolboy.

It is said that he got his initial inspiration from watching the England side playing in the 1^st Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground in December 1932. England’s fast bowler Harold Larwood took 5 wickets in the 1^st innings and 5 for 28 runs in the 2^nd innings, however this did not stop Stan McCabe scoring 187 not out in the 1^st innings. This series became known as Bodyline owing to intimidatory bowling by the Tourists.

On leaving school he joined the St George Club competing in Sydney Grade Cricket at the Hurtsville Oval, by December 1938 he was playing in the 1^st team.

Much of Lindwall’s early success came on the Rugby pitch, in the winter of 1940 he was playing fullback in the Rugby League premiership for St George, this came to an unexpected end due to events at Pearl Harbour. Ray Lindwall enlisted in the Military serving in New Guinea until the end of WW2 in 1945.

Following the War Lindwall did play 31 first grade Rugby League games for St George before retiring from competitive rugby at the end of the 1946 season following his teams defeat in the Grand Final against Balmain.

Ray Lindwall Rugby Memorabilia from 1940 -46 is scarce and would be of interest to me as I have only come across few examples i.e. signed St George programme, more examples would be welcomed.

In 1941 Lindwall made his debut in First Class Cricket at the age of 20, he was selected to play against Queensland at Brisbane, during an inauspicious 1^st innings Lindwall took one catch and bowled 36/3, he batted at number 10 scoring 1 and 10 runs respectively, Bill O’Reilly a medium pace spin bowler in fact took 10 wickets in the match.

Lindwall resumed his Cricket in 1945 when NSW played Victoria, batting at no 9 he scored 134 in 175 minutes not out while Sid Barnes opening the batting scored 154. His bowling was consistent throughout the season accordingly he was selected for the Australian tour of New Zealand making his Test debut at Wellington in March 1946. He bowled 13/1 in the 1^st innings in which NZ only managed a total of 42 runs, in the 2^nd innings Larwood bowled 16/1, (his batting resulted in a duck) Australia won by an innings and 103 runs. When Larwood was not taking wickets he could certainly contain the runs,

In many cases I would attempt to restrict my collection to pre-war examples but in the case of Lindwall most of his success came after the war ended in 1945 so I have listed below specific matches that I would be personally interested in as a collector.

When viewing Cricket Memorabilia I tend to link the Cricketer with a memorable match event or series, accordingly my list reflects this, Lindwall opening partnerships with Keith Miller are legendary they emerged as an attacking opening partnership in the 1947/48 test series against England and of course to find an event scorecard, programme, brochure, photograph signed by both players is even better!!

1947 Australia v England at Melbourne 2^nd innings 100 runs off 90 balls, bowled Alec Bedser, caught Cyril Washbrook.

1947   Australia v England at Sydney 1^st innings 7/63 – Hutton was injured on 122 runs Australia win by 5 wickets.

1948 Australia v India at Adelaide 2^nd innings 7/38 (1^st innings Barnes 112, Bradman 201 ,Hassett 198). Australia wins by an innings and 16 runs.

1948 England v Australia at Lords 5/70 Australia win by 409 runs.

1948 England v Australia at the Oval 1^st innings 6/20 England all out for 52 runs. Australia win by an innings and 149 runs.

1948 Nottingham at Trent Bridge 6/14 match drawn

Any Ray Lindwall Memorabilia associated with the 1948 and 1953 tour to England is very collectable.

Below I have listed some Lindwall statistics which demonstrate the attributes of the great all-rounder.

On his retirement from First Class Cricket in 1960 Ray was a beneficiary of the NSWCA retired player benefit plan, the same year he was given life membership of the MCC

In 1965 he received the MBE for his services to Cricket,  he was inducted into the Australian Cricket Hall of fame in 1996

Ray Lindwall has written two books “Flying Stumps” in 1954 (some signed copies are still available) and “The Challenging Tests” in 1961, I do not personally have either book in signed form and am on the lookout to find good examples.

Good luck with your collecting.

Let me know how you get on?

Tony Selby
Cricket Memorabilia

Len Hutton Cricket Memorabilia, signed photos, scorecards, caps, tour brochures, dinner menus – Cricket Legend – 364 at The Oval.

Len Hutton Cricket Memorabilia is something every Cricketana enthusiast requires in his portfolio, there are many good examples available, completed scorecards, autographed photographs, Test information, tour brochures, match tickets, official Christmas cards and signed Cricket ephemera

Len Hutton (1916 – 1990),  as most people know was an English Cricketer a Test Captain who played for his home County Yorkshire, he became a household name in the 1940s due to  his exceptional Cricket talents which captivated the public in both pre and post war eras.

During his First Class career Len Hutton scored 40140 runs (55.51) he notched up 129 centuries and on eleven occasions scored more than 200 runs.

Hutton was born in Pudsey a market town in West Yorkshire, coming from a Cricketing family he had shown an early interest in the game, when he was 13 he was encouraged to join the Pudsey St Lawrence Cricket Club, his father Henry had played for them in the Bradford League. He played his first match in the second eleven at 12 and when he was 16 he was selected for the 1^st eleven, his all-round abilities soon came to the attention of Yorkshire CCC, where he made his First Class debut for Yorkshire the following year in 1934.

These early matches are of particular interest to Collectors; It is often the case that Collectors specialise in specific areas of Cricket i.e. Tests, County, Ashes or whatever, they may concentrate on Pre-war or Post war my personal interest is generally memorable Pre-war Cricket, not necessarily the player himself often the team factor of the match he is playing in, accordingly I have listed some Len Hutton examples below:

1934 Worcestershire v Yorkshire Championship match at the County Ground, Hutton opening the batting with fellow professional Wilf Barber, in the 1^st innings, Hutton scored 196 runs before being bowled by Reg Perks. Yorkshire won by 10 wickets.

1935 Yorkshire v Middlesex at Headingley, Hutton opened the batting with Herbert Sutcliffe, Hutton scored 131 in the 1^st innings, caught by George Hart. Yorkshire won by an innings and 82 runs.

1937 Yorkshire v Derbyshire at Bramall Lane opening the batting with Sutcliffe, Hutton scored 271 runs not out. Yorkshire won by an innings and 99 runs.

1937 Yorkshire v Leicestershire at the Circle, Hutton opened the batting with Sutcliffe in a partnership of 315, Hutton scored 153.

1937 Leicestershire v Yorkshire at Aylestone rd, Hutton took 10 wickets, 4 in the 1^st innings 6 in the second which was his best ever bowling performance. This match is unique in that with Hutton collectors often concentrate on batting events

In 1937 Hutton made his Test debut against New Zealand at Lords, opening the 1^st innings he scored his maiden century (100 runs exactly, bowled by Giff Vivian, caught Dunning) in the second innings he made 14 and was this time caught by Giff Vivian. England won by 130 runs.

1938 England v Australia at Trent Bridge opening with Charlie Barnett the pair put on 219; Hutton scored 100, lbw Fleetwood – Smith.

1938 England v Australia at the Oval, opener Hutton scored 364 in the 1^st innings caught Hassett bowled O’Reilly. His time spent at the wicket was13 hours a record at that time.

In 1938/39 Hutton toured South Africa which would not hold the same appeal for Collectors as the previous Ashes series. This was the last series prior to the war which brought an end to international cricket for next few years.

All the matches listed above are very collectable as are a few which are omitted. It should be emphasised that Hutton Memorabilia is collectable irrespective of an event; the quality of the event enhances the item.

Below are some statistics source cricketarchive.com which demonstrate the outstanding achievements of Len Hutton.

Sir Leonard Hutton was made a Test selector in 1975/76

President of Yorkshire CCC 1989 -1990

Knighted for his services to Cricket 1956

Tony Selby

Cricket Memorabilia

Cricket Memorabilia – Bats, Caps, Scorecards, Autographs, Photos, Compton scored over 123 first class centuries took 622 wickets and in the field was responsible for 416 batsmen returning to the pavilion.

Compton (Middlesex – England) was a dashing right hand bat whose Cricket was followed ball by ball by a legion of admirer’s both at the ground and over the airwaves. In 1947 alone he scored 3816 first class runs at an enviable average of 91 runs included 18 highly entertaining centuries.

Denis Compton (1918 – 1997) Professional Footballer, England Cricketer, He was a right hand bat and slow left arm bowler he became a household name soon after the war when he was one of a number of select Cricketers who put the spark back into the game, something that had been missing since International Cricket was put on hold in 1939.

Compton was born in Hendon UK, as a schoolboy he played for North London Schools against South London Schools at Lords making 88 runs. Following more early successes he joined the Lords ground staff in 1933 playing his first match for Middlesex just three years later.

When collecting Rare Autographs and Cricket Memorabilia it is important to associate the item to a memorable event and personality, early matches which Compton took part in are of particular significance especially Test Matches played against Australia, however one can never discount items collected at any time of a legends sports career. From my point of view I tend to see Memorabilia as either Pre-war or Post war, it can be a good idea to concentrate in one area such as this. Often when collecting items associated with persons who were not prolific signers, it is a case of sourcing what is available and making a small adjustment in value dependant on the event.

Condition of Collectables is important but one must be realistic, Caps, Bats, Balls, Blazers and equipment which are match worn should look match worn, scorecards, team sheets, tour brochures, postcards and cricket ephemera must be considered by age. autographs for example are unlightly to deteriorate with age so should be in good condition, whereas a wartime Wisden editon the original paper wrappers may well show signs of wear, it will have been extensively read and maybe handed down from previous generations so again judgement should be used in considering condition. .

Below I have briefly noted some early very Collectable Dennis Compton matches.

Compton made his Test debut (with Cyril Washbrook) in 1937 against New Zealand at the Oval batting at no 4, he scored 64 before being run out, the second highest score behind Joe Hardstaff jnr (103) he was credited with taking 3 wickets in the 2^nd innings, the match resulted in a draw. During the 1937 season Compton made 1981 runs in First Class Cricket.

He was selected to play against Australia in 1938 and he made 102 runs in the 1^st test at Trent Bridge an inning which saw 3 England centuries (Hutton, Paynter, Compton) in spite of Compton catching Stan McCabe on 232, the match ended in a draw.

He scored 76 not out in the 2^nd test (2^nd innings) at Lords, 3^rd test abandoned, 4^th test at Leeds not so good, same at the Oval where Len Hutton opened the batting and scored an amazing 364, Joe Hardstaff jnr (169 not out, Maurice Leyland 187), the 4 match test series ended in a draw against a seemingly strong Australian side.

Compton missed the 1939 tour to South Africa playing football instead however he was back in action playing the touring West Indies in 1939. In the first test, 1^st innings at Lords he scored 120 whilst opener Len Hutton scored 196. The second test at Old Trafford produced no significant Compton event as per the third test at the Oval, England won the three series 1-0. I actually have a hand signed photograph of Compton taken at Lords this photograph would be significant as it was the only century he made in the series and by far his highest score. (He put on a 248 stand with Len Hutton in a 2 hour 10 minute spell) a signed photo of both Hutton and Compton from the same event would be very collectable.

Pre-war test matches make for excellent Cricket Memorabilia, the ones mentioned above would be extremely collectable.

With the start of WW2 Compton joined the Army, stationed initially in Sussex, which enabled him to enjoy occasional weekend Cricket and Football. .

Compton pursued both Cricket and Football up to and after the war, he was having to juggle his commitments to both sports. As a professional footballer Compton had joined Arsenal in 1932 and made his league debut against Derby in 1936, playing on the left wing. He played a number of games for the Army during WW2 also winning two International caps.

In 1950 Compton helped Arsenal to an FA victory winning the Cup from Liverpool.

During his years with Arsenal Compton played 60 matches scoring 16 goals he retired from football in 1950.

I have listed below some First Class Cricket statistics which demonstrate what a talented cricketer Denis Compton was:

Denis Compton’s First Class Cricket career ended in 1958, he entered the world of social media as a Journalist writing for the Sunday Express and as a popular Commentator on the BBC.

Denis Compton was named Wisden Cricketer of the year in 1939.

He was awarded the CBE in 1958 and was elected President of Middlesex CCC in 1991.

He has a Cricket ground named after him at the Shenley Cricket Centre in Radlett Herts which he opened in the summer of 1997 “The Denis Compton Oval”, ironically the ground was originally designed by WG Grace, it also has a splendid nineteenth century pavilion. Well worth a visit!!

Good luck with your collecting.

Let me know how you get on?

Tony Selby

Cricket Memorabilia

Cricket Memorabilia – Sutcliffe and Hobbs Legendary Opening Batsmen – Caps, Tour Collectables Signed Autographs, Scorecards, Sepia Press Photos are sought after by fans and collectors.

Herbert Sutcliffe (1894 – 1978) was born in North Yorkshire, a professional Cricketer he played for Yorkshire County Cricket Club and England, a right hand opening batsman his first class career began with end of WW1 and continued until the start of the second World War which interrupted International Cricket in 1939.

At the age of 13 Sutcliffe had begun playing local League Cricket for the Pudsey Brittania Club, at 17 his talents and powerful drive had come to the attention of Yorkshire CCC, after a trial in the nets he was invited to play for the 2^nd eleven, following some notable success in the Bradford league his promising start was put hold as he enlisted for Military service. Having played some Cricket during the War, it was not until 1919 that he made his First Class debut in a Yorks v Glos County Match at the Spa Gloucester, batting number 6 he was caught by Alfred Dipper (one test Eng v Aus 1921) for 11 runs.

In 1919 Sutcliffe had a double first against Northampton in a County Championship match, when he opened the batting with Holmes, scored his maiden century in first class cricket and put on a 279 first wicket stand, his contribution was 145 runs before being caught off John Seymour by the Northants skipper Joseph Beasley. Holmes and Sutcliffe continued as the opening pair scoring five centuries each, including a 174 (c Lionel Hedges, b Tich Freeman) for Sutcliffe against Kent at Dover.

First Class Matches played by Sutcliffe which are of particular interest to me as a collector of Cricket Memorabilia are usually ones associated with memorable events I have listed below a few that I am personally interested in:

Early day’s pre 1919 in the Bradford League with Pudsey Britannia, Yorks.

Northampton v Yorkshire (1^st innings at Northampton) 1919.

Kent v Yorkshire (1^st innings at Crabble Athletic Ground Dover) 1919.

Surrey v Yorkshire, 1^st innings (232) at the Oval 1922.

England v South Africa at Edgbaston 1924.

England v Australia tour 1924/25.

Yorkshire v Middlesex 1^st innings (235) at Headingley 1925.

The Holmes and Sutcliffe private tour of India Ceylon 1930/31.

Essex v Yorkshire 1^st inning (313) bowled by Eastman at the County ground Leyton 1932.

Bodyline series 1932/33, 1^st innings at Sydney (194) any bodyline series is very collectable.

Plus many more First Class Matches of note.

Sutcliffe made his Test debut in 1924 against South Africa at Edgbaston opening the innings with his nemesis Jack Hobbs, they achieved a partnership of 136 in the 1^st innings and 268 in the 2^nd Test at Lords.

Cricket Memorabilia featuring both Sutcliffe and Hobbs is always sought after.

Listed below are some statistics to demonstrate Sutcliffe’s outstanding achievements

Statistics supplied by Cricinfo.

Batting and fielding averages

Bowling averages

Sutcliffe became a Test selector and was an active member of the Yorkshire Committee following his retirement.

Yorkshire CCC named the Sutcliffe gates at Headingley in honour of their Legendary opening batsman. He was inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame

Tony Selby

Cricket Memorabilia

Bodyline Series – Gubby Allen took 21 wickets bowling a length against Jardines wishes. Cricket Memorabilia from the bodyline 1932/33 is always sought after by collectors.

Sir George “Gubby”(1902 – 1989) Allen captained England on three occasions, a fast bowler, excellent in the field and he would hit the odd century in Test Cricket as a lower order batsman.

Gubby took part in 265 matches scoring 9.232 runs (28.67) he bowled the opposition out on his own on nine occasions taking 131 catches. He scored 750 test runs and took 81 test wickets.

He captained England against India, West Indies and Australia.

Gubby played a big part in the welfare and development of English Cricket following the end of WW2 giving much of his time to the MCC as chairman of the selectors from 1955 – 1963, President of the MCC in 1964/64, Treasurer of the MCC 1964 – 1976.

Gubby was born in Sydney in 1902 into a cricketing family (his uncle RC Allen played for Australia), moving at six years old to England, Gubby was educated at Eton College and Trinity Cambridge, he played cricket for Cambridge, Middlesex, MCC and England.

As a collector of Cricket Memorabilia I find that the more memorable the event that the item is associated with the more collectable it becomes. Whilst I have number of Gubby Allen items, Autographs, signed photographs, signed completed scorecards, some tour memorabilia and a signed match used cricket bat events which I would like in my collection the following:

England v New Zealand 1931 (8^th wicket partner of 246) caught Lowry bowled Weir for 122 runs.

England v Australia 1932/33 Bodyline series (21 wickets)

Middlesex v Lancs at Lords 1929. (10/40)

After his retirement he lived in an MCC house on the edge of Lords cricket ground which was administered by Lords grounds staff, fittingly his garden gate   led directly into the ground from where it was a short walk to the pavilion for which he held his own key.

The famous Allen Stand at Lords which was formerly the oddly named Q stand, was named after Gubby in 1989

He was awarded the CBE for his services to cricket 1974

He was knighted in 1986

Listed below are set of statistics supplied by

Batting and fielding averages

Bowling averages

Good luck with your collecting.

Let me know how you get on??

Tony Selby

Cricket Memorabilia

Cricket Memorabilia is in high demand - Jack Hobbs scored  61.760 first class runs – Centuries 199 –That’s why he was named The Master.

Jack Hobbs (1882 – 1963) was a prolific run maker, a right hand bat and medium pace bowler; he was regarded as the complete all round Cricketer.

Hobbs hails from Cambridge UK, he followed his father in his love of Cricket, in 1901 he began playing in local competition matches as an amateur for Cambridgeshire. He was offered a trial with Surrey in 1903 where he began to make his mark playing with the Colts and Club and Ground sides, his batting and bowling merited a mention in the following years Cricketers Almanac.

Hobbs made his debut for Surrey in 1905 and in First Class matches that season he scored 1317 (25.82) runs including a couple of centuries.

During  1907 a second innings score of  150 not out at the Oval,  in a County  Championship match against Warwickshire, meant the MCC could ignore him no longer and he was selected for the forthcoming MCC v Australia tour making his Test debut on New Year’s  day at Melbourne averaging 43.14 in Tests and 41.71 in first class matches. These early averages were the benchmark for the future.

Jack Hobbs cricket memorabilia is not especially rare as he was always popular and attentive to fans, however no collection is complete without a least some mementos, most prolific are autographs and signed photographs, signed bats are in demand whether signed individually or as part of the County/Test team, an authentic match used bat is hard to find but well worth the effort.

Tour Memorabilia, at sea photographs, completed scorecards, team and action sepia press photographs, hand written letters and match programmes are all available in degrees of scarcity.

The above covers the beginnings of Jack Hobbs cricket career and I have listed below brief statistics which demonstrate what he went on to achieve.

Jack Hobbs was elected Cricketer of the year in both 1909 and 1925.

He was knighted for services to Cricket in 1953 the same year the honour was awarded to “Shrimp” Levson Gower.(Surrey, England).

Jack Hobbs Cricket Memorabilia which is of particular interest to me is associated with memorable events; I have listed a selection of these below:

Note: Combination autographed collectables of Jack Hobbs and fellow opener Herbert Sutcliffe are always in demand. The pair opening the batting making 15 century  partnerships in Test matches.

Scarborough festival 1931

England v Australia at Melbourne 1908

England v Australia 2^nd test at Melbourne 1911

England v Australia 4^th test at Melbourne 1912 (Rhodes scored 1 run more at 179)

England v Australia 1920

England v Australia 2^nd test at Melbourne1924

Somerset v Surrey 1925

Surrey Middlesex 1926

Tour of Australia 1928/29

Players v Gentlemen at Lords 1932

Surrey v West Indians at the Oval 1933

There are many other excellent examples this is a cross section to seek and review

Good luck with your collecting

Let me know how you get on?

Tony Selby

Cricket Memorabilia

Walter Hammond Cricket Memorabilia

The best English batsman of the 1930’s, Cricket Memorabilia from Wally Hammond’s Golden days is highly sought after by fans and enthusiasts.

Wally Hammond the Gloucestershire and England all-rounder is remembered as probably one of the four best batsmen ever and signed collectables such as bats, match wear, sepia press photographs, match tickets, completed printed scorecards, tour paraphernalia, hand written letters, caps, autographs and paintings to name but a few are always in demand and none more so than Hammond, Don Bradman, Sid Barnes, and other heroes from this golden era of cricket.

Wally Hammond (1903 – 1965) hails from Dover UK and was educated as a boarder at Cirencester Grammar School where he was captain of the first eleven, on leaving in 1920 he had originally planned to attend the prestigious agriculture college at Winchester however he was given a trial for Gloucestershire Cricket Club where he was quickly signed as a professional. Hammond made his first-class debut for Gloucestershire that same year.

Hammond proving to be a good all-rounder made his first class maiden century against Surrey in 1923 scoring 110/92 as the opening bat. Over the next few years he was often in the eye of the MCC selectors,  notably scoring 250 not out against Lancs in 1925 with 1818 runs for the season plus 68 relatively economic wickets, this was enough to ensure his selection on the winter tour of the West Indies where he averaged 49 runs per innings in first class matches including a couple of centuries, he also took 20 wickets (28.65). After  playing Jamaica Hammond was taken seriously ill with blood poisoning and missed the remaining matches, he was not fully recovered until the start of the 1927 season.

He immediately marked his return to cricket in May 1927 by scoring a 1000 runs during  the first month of the cricket season later that year he joined the winter tour to South Africa making his Test debut in the first match of the series scoring 57 runs as the number 4 bat and taking some useful wickets.

Cricket Memorabilia from the following matches are of particular interest to me :

South Africa v England at Johannesburg, Dec 24-27, 1927

Gloucestershire v Glamorgan 1930

Bodyline tour 1932/33

England v New Zealand 1^st and 2^nd Test, 1933*

England v Australia 1936/37

MCC v Ireland 1950

*In the 1933 Test against New Zealand at Auckland Hammond made 336 runs the fastest ever triple century this is why linking  Cricket Memorabilia to an event can be so important.

Hammond’s cricketing career spanned thirty one years between 1920 -1951 during which he made 50.000 runs and 167 centuries

In just five Test Matches in 1928/29, England v Australia, Hammond scored an incredible 905 runs. Listed below are some of his enviable statistics:

Test Matches:       85

Runs                       7249

Centuries:                 22

Fifties:                       24

Average:                   58.5

Highest score:        336

Wicket                      83 (37.8)

First class runs       50.000 + averaging 58.45

First class wickets   732 (30.58)

Tony Selby

Cricket Memorabilia

Sid Barnes Australian Cricket Memorabilia

Sid Barnes autographs are rare and sought after by Cricket Memorabilia enthusiasts second only to Don Bradman on the field, the controversial South Australian cricketer was not known as a prolific signatory of Cricket Collectables.

Sid Barnes was born in Annandale New South Wales in 1916 and it was at fee paying Stanmore Public School that Sid made his mark on the Cricket field and was soon invited to join the NSW schoolboy side to play Victoria and Queensland. He was unfortunately to young to be part of the 1932/33 Bodyline series and it was in that year that he joined the Petersham Cricket Club, it was whilst at PCC that he come to the attention of the NSW selectors, making his first class debut at Sidney Cricket Ground at the end of the 1936/37 season against South Australia. His selection followed several high scores and the achievement of his maiden century (127 not out) against Western Australia, the NSWCA failed to acknowledge the match as holding first class status, leaving Sid to make his point against Victoria in his final innings of the season with a score of 110.

Cricket Memorabilia varies in value depending on the status of the player and how available he is to signing collectables, whereas Don Bradman would always sign for fans and plenty of examples exist, Sid Barnes was not as prolific therefore his autographs are rare. Usually the collector would associate an autograph with an event i.e. a signed photograph from a high scoring memorable Ashes match would be more attractive than one from a lesser event but in Sid’s case it is prudent to secure whatever is available. I am fortunate to have a hand signed photograph from the 1948 Lords match and a signed official scorecard from his last test at the Oval.

Sid completed the season with 800 runs at an average of 51, which secured his selection in the 1938 tour to England.

Sitting in the pavilion with a wrist injury he took little part in series until he finally made his debut in the final Test at the Oval scoring a respectable (41/33), a series which saw England win by an innings and 579 runs. England made some high scores with Len Hutton scoring an amazing 374, Maurice Leyland 187, Joe Hardstaff 169. The Oval was ironically the venue of Sid’s last test in 1948.

During the first class matches Sid scored 720 runs without achieving a century however in a 2 day non qualifier at Durham he did score 140.

WW2 put an end to international cricket matches and in the early 1940s Sid enlisted in the military (Ist Armoured Division Tanks), his cricket career was on hold until the end of the War and the start of the .45/46 season. During the season he scored 5 successive centuries for New South Wales and was a natural selection for the forthcoming tour of New Zealand. In the one match played at Basin Reserve Sid made 54 in a game easily won by the Australians.

The 1946/47 saw Sid as opening bat in the Ashes series, during the second Test at Sydney he scored 234 as part of a world record 405 run fifth wicket partnership with Don Bradman . Amazingly both batsmen ended their innings on 234 runs apiece Sid was bowled by an Alec Bedser special, Bradman by Norman Yardley, it is notable that none of the other Australian players scored over 40 runs. Sid averaged 73; to Bradman’s 97; Australia won the 5 test series 3/0.

Following a brief spell with Lancs League Cricket in 1947 Sid returned to Australia keen to be selected for the 1948 tour to England, a team to become known as the Invincibles.

Having failed to be selected in first 2 tests against India, the Sheffield Shield match between Victoria and New South Wales was the opportunity Sid was looking for to remind the selectors of his batting skills, he achieved this with scores of 158 lbw to Ring and 80 not out in the second innings.

Sid was reselected and in the 4^th test at Adelaide he scored 112 in a 236 run partnership with Bradman securing his place on the 1948 tour which resulted in 4/0 series win for the tourists. In the second test at Lords Sid scored 141 in the 2^nd innings following a duck in the first, having been caught by Len Hutton. Sid played 4 of the 5 tests making a total of 329 runs at an average of 82, he had missed the fourth test through injury incurred whilst fielding at an intimidating forward short leg. His final first class tally for the tour was 1354 runs.

Sid Barnes, who in later life suffered from Bipolar died at home in Sydney in 1975

Tony Selby
Sports Memorabilia

Sid Barnes statistics say it, all see below: