I am writing to inform you of a significant collection of historical cricketing autograph albums that we will be offering for sale as part of our estate auction to be held on the 31st of August 2023
(Sale 519) at our rooms in Adelaide, South Australia.
The collection was accumulated by Mr Lez Hill of Mount Gambier, and prior to that by his father. The collection comprises some 15 albums of cricket players and officials dating from the 1877/78 test series through to the mid 1960’s. Albums include teams and players from Australia and England, including numerous county and state teams, New Zealand national and regional teams, India, including regions, Pakistan, South Africa, including provincial sides, The West Indies, and various officials.
We will be offering the albums as individual lots. I have attached images and scans of the original owners typed inventory of each album contents.
Of note are
- Album 1 – containing more than 700 signatures. They include numerous Australian Test players from 1877 to 1900. Individual signatures include: WG Grace, Don Bradman (at least 6 examples), WH Oldfield (at least another 6 signatures), Arthur Mailey, Vic Richardson,
Stanley Jackson, Harold Larwood and Sir Jack Hobbs. The album contains the full English ‘Bodyline’ team of 1932/33.
- Album 2 – contains various English County and Australian State teams, The 1939 New Zealand Sir Julian Cahn XI, 1939 Australian Women’s tour of England, the Australian rugby team of 1939, Davis Cup tennis players, and Australian cyclists including Sir Hubert Opperman, endurance cyclist of the 1930’s, and later Menzies era senator.
- Album 4 – The 1948 ‘Invincibles’ Australian team (complete), Australian and English Women’s teams of 1948, also Bradman as part of the South Australian team, and various 1940’s English and county teams.
- Album 5 – contains 700 + signatures of 1947-1950 English county, MCC and Australian teams.
- Album 6 – 1950’s Australian, South African provincial, and New Zealand regional teams.
- Album 8 – the 1949/50 commonwealth Xi tour of India.
- Also 2 miniature cricket bats, both from the 1940’s, 1 with Australian state teams of 1948, both bearing Donald Bradman’s autograph.
- In total the collection contains more than 6,500 signatures.
- In addition, several letters to Mr Hill from players, including an interesting correspondence from an unknown player describing his disadvantage due to World War 1 service, and his opinions of a young Don Bradman dated 1932. The writer’s signature has unfortunately been removed for album inclusion.
Should you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact our office on +61 8 8340 8700 or myself direct on 0412 462 934.
Full online, in rooms and telephone bidding will be available.
The catalogue will be online on the Evening of Tuesday 29th of August on our website www.theauctionrooms.com.au
Viewing: Wednesday August 30th 9am-5pm or by prior appointment