E.V.L. Lucas. Cricket author and essayist. Four page handwritten article written by Lucas in his distinctive hand on his Waldron, Sussex, letterhead. The subject of the article is John Small who played for Hampshire 1773-1798 and was an original member of Hambledon Cricket Club. About Small he writes, 'The first recorded match in which he played was for Hambledon against Caterham when he made 80; the last, for Hambledon, was in 1793, against the MCC when he made only 2 & 0'. He describes Small's other skills 'besides cricket: he was a fine skater[?] & a true shot' and, quoting Nyren, his 'skill as a musician both with the voice & the violin'. His early careers were as a shoemaker and gamekeeper 'and latterly took to making bats and balls' which were bought by Budd and M.C.C. who 'offered him a guinea a piece for them'. On his death a poet wrote the epitaph, 'Here lies, bowled out of really[?] unerring ball, A cricketer renowned, of name John Small'. Rust marks to top left corners, otherwise in good condition. Rare
John Small was one of the leading batsmen of the 18th century and is noted for his influences on the Laws of cricket including setting the maximum width of the bat, and the addition of the middle stump to the wicket
E.V.L. Lucas. Cricket author and essayist. Four page handwritten article written by Lucas in his distinctive hand on his Waldron, Sussex, letterhead. The subject of the article is John Small who played for Hampshire 1773-1798 and was an original member of Hambledon Cricket Club. About Small he writes, 'The first recorded match in which he played was for Hambledon against Caterham when he made 80; the last, for Hambledon, was in 1793, against the MCC when he made only 2 & 0'. He describes Small's other skills 'besides cricket: he was a fine skater[?] & a true shot' and, quoting Nyren, his 'skill as a musician both with the voice & the violin'. His early careers were as a shoemaker and gamekeeper 'and latterly took to making bats and balls' which were bought by Budd and M.C.C. who 'offered him a guinea a piece for them'. On his death a poet wrote the epitaph, 'Here lies, bowled out of really[?] unerring ball, A cricketer renowned, of name John Small'. Rust marks to top left corners, otherwise in good condition. Rare
John Small was one of the leading batsmen of the 18th century and is noted for his influences on the Laws of cricket including setting the maximum width of the bat, and the addition of the middle stump to the wicket
Try LotSearch and its premium features for 7 days - without any costs!
Be notified automatically about new items in upcoming auctions.
Create an alert