booze and cake
probably out cycling
.....not are you ancient and a cricket buff, but are you clued up on pre-1900 cricket history, or knows who can help?
I'm trying to help a friend who has an interesting bit of sports memorabilia to find out a bit more, but we're both totally clueless about cricket. My friends family live in Gloucs, and while rummaging in the attic in preparation for a house move recently dug up an old letter, written to a grandad or great grandad from cricketing legend W.G Grace.
The handwritten letter was sent from Thrisell House, Stapleton Rd, Bristol, WG's former residence, now demolished and a leisure centre bearing his name is in its place I've just found out on google. The letter is dated June 13th 1886, so is 131 years old, WOW, that is cricket history.
The letter says:
"Dear Mr Clarke,
I shall be pleased to accept your kind invitation, I am afraid we shall have a poor team. I think I can put up with your style of ham once more,
believe me,
yours.....
WG Grace"
Isn't that great. The family were unaware of their own families ham prowess
W.G played for Gloucs and Eng amongst others, and I was wondering if its possible to trace what games this letter is referring to, was it a county game, or a test? Who played? What were the scores? How did WG do in the games, was there any notable events in the matches or any other history would be great to know. The family are'nt current fans of cricket but would love to know a bit more info to paint more of a picture, and I've had a brief google but have'nt really unearthed much detail from this far back.
I have googled and it seems Australia did tour in 1886, it was only in 1882 that the 'Ashes' legend was born after Eng lost to the Aussies in Australia, which was declared at the time the death of English cricket.
So it may be from a very early Ashes tour, but i'm not sure if any of these game were played in the Gloucs area, maybe it was just a warm up match, or just a normal county game, I've no idea....
Anyone have any info? I thought I could maybe write to Gloucs CC, and I live a stones throw from the Oval cricket ground so do they, or Lords have a department I can ask about such things?
Any pointers gratefully received.
Thanks
I'm trying to help a friend who has an interesting bit of sports memorabilia to find out a bit more, but we're both totally clueless about cricket. My friends family live in Gloucs, and while rummaging in the attic in preparation for a house move recently dug up an old letter, written to a grandad or great grandad from cricketing legend W.G Grace.
The handwritten letter was sent from Thrisell House, Stapleton Rd, Bristol, WG's former residence, now demolished and a leisure centre bearing his name is in its place I've just found out on google. The letter is dated June 13th 1886, so is 131 years old, WOW, that is cricket history.
The letter says:
"Dear Mr Clarke,
I shall be pleased to accept your kind invitation, I am afraid we shall have a poor team. I think I can put up with your style of ham once more,
believe me,
yours.....
WG Grace"
Isn't that great. The family were unaware of their own families ham prowess
W.G played for Gloucs and Eng amongst others, and I was wondering if its possible to trace what games this letter is referring to, was it a county game, or a test? Who played? What were the scores? How did WG do in the games, was there any notable events in the matches or any other history would be great to know. The family are'nt current fans of cricket but would love to know a bit more info to paint more of a picture, and I've had a brief google but have'nt really unearthed much detail from this far back.
I have googled and it seems Australia did tour in 1886, it was only in 1882 that the 'Ashes' legend was born after Eng lost to the Aussies in Australia, which was declared at the time the death of English cricket.
So it may be from a very early Ashes tour, but i'm not sure if any of these game were played in the Gloucs area, maybe it was just a warm up match, or just a normal county game, I've no idea....
Anyone have any info? I thought I could maybe write to Gloucs CC, and I live a stones throw from the Oval cricket ground so do they, or Lords have a department I can ask about such things?
Any pointers gratefully received.
Thanks
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