Kent Cricket artefacts to go under the hammer

A number of items from Kent County Cricket Club’s collection of artefacts and memorabilia are to be sold at the twice-yearly specialist cricket auction of Trevor Vennett-Smith on Tuesday 27th November.

Lots to go under the hammer include a large sepia panoramic photograph of the 1911/12 new year England v Australia Test Match played at Melbourne, previously on display in the Les Ames Stand at Canterbury and described in the auction catalogue as ‘large and extremely rare’, an Arthur Mailey original cartoon, ‘Trials of a Bowler’, a collection of rare tinted lithographs of batting strokes, team and individual photographs, an interesting collection of glass negatives – mainly from the 1920s, photographs of Kent personalities from the 19th Century, scrap books, signed items, a poster advertising a match at the Beehive Ground, Walworth in 1843, and plenty more.

Commenting on the sale, Kent Cricket’s Honorary Curator, David Robertson said; “Following completion of the first stage of the ground redevelopment, we have reviewed our collection, having regard to current display facilities and future plans that may well include provision of a museum.

“Many of the items offered for sale have no direct connection with the Club’s history or are duplicates of what we already have in our collection. We hope that proceeds from the sale, will provide the opportunity for the Club to enhance its collection through the purchase of appropriate items as and when they might become available.”

The sale is to be held in the Royal British Legion Hall in Gotham, midway between Nottingham and Loughborough. It commences at 12 noon. Illustrated catalogues are obtainable from Trevor Vennett-Smith, 11 Nottingham Road, Gotham – Tel: 0115 983 0541, email: info@vennett-smith.com

Image used is for illustration only, and does not necessarily form a part of the auction