Book signed by 1930s cricket stars - found in Richmond loft - to go on auction in Teddington
By Rory Poulter 27th Jan 2022
A BOOK signed by stars of an international cricket team from the 1930s will go on auction in Teddington next month.
The small 'autographs' book contains the signatures of members of the 1933 West Indies cricket team including key players George Headley and Manny Martindale.
In 1934 Wisden's Cricketers' Almanack named George Headley as Cricketer of the Year alongside English players Cyril Walters, Fred Bakewell, Les Townsend and Morris Nichols. Headley's name appears among the autographs.
The book has been valued at £500-£800 by the auction house Hansons London and will be up for sale at their showroom at Normansfield Theatre on February 26.
It was discovered in a box of magazines in the loft of a house in Richmond.
Head of Fine Art and associate director of Hansons London, Chris Kirkham found the book during a home valuation visit.
Chris said: "It was a fantastic surprise, particularly for me as I'm a cricket fan.
"The owner was taken aback when I revealed its potential value.
"She has no family connections to the item and absolutely no idea how it came to be in the loft in the first place.
"The opening page offers a clue, though. It bears the name and address of its original owner – Richard Fothergill of Barnes, London.
"We can only assume he lived in the property at one time and, of course, loved cricket."
He added: "I suppose the message for everyone wherever they live is that it's well worth having a look though the attic, garage or any unexplored cubby holes.
"It's far from the first time someone has come across an item of value they never knew existed in their own home. It's a bit like digging for gold in the attic – auction gold."
Entries are invited for Hansons London February 26 Fine Art and Antiques Auction.
Free valuations are available at The Auction Centre, Normansfield Theatre, Teddington, London on Wednesdays and Fridays, 10am-4pm, and Saturdays, 9.30am-12.30pm.
To book an appointment, or arrange a free home visit, call 07469 953077 or email [email protected].
Kate Bliss will be offering free jewellery and silver valuations at the Normansfield Theatre on February 2 and 23, 10am-4pm. No booking necessary.
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