A rare souvenir poster of the pioneering 1868 Australian Aboriginal cricket team has been sold at auction in Lichfield this week and is now heading back to Australia.
The 159-year-old photographic print sold for £3,200 at Richard Winterton Auctioneers on Monday 20th April at The Lichfield Auction Centre in Fradley Park.
The framed poster, which was discovered during a house clearance in Sutton Coldfield, was purchased by a telephone bidder calling from Australia.
The 1868 team holds a significant place in sporting history as the first Australian side to tour internationally. A full 10 years before the country’s first official Test match on British soil. Players had learned cricket while working on cattle stations in western Victoria.
The poster was originally produced to promote the team’s six-month tour of England, which began with a match at The Oval in May 1868 in front of a crowd of 20,000.
It features a composite image created from 16 individual portraits taken by photographer Patrick Dawson of Hamilton, Victoria, and was published in 1867 by H.G. De Gruchy & Co of Melbourne.
Each First Nations player is shown either in a cricketing pose or holding traditional items such as a boomerang or spear, reflecting how the team also showcased cultural skills alongside their sporting performances.
Another copy of the print is held at the Australian National Portrait Gallery.
Managing Director Richard Winterton said the discovery highlighted the importance of careful house clearances.
In different circumstances, this rare piece of Australian cultural and sporting history could easily have been thrown away.
We sift through everything inside and outside a property as value can so often come from anywhere, sometimes where you least expect it.
Well done to the team for their diligence in fielding this special cricketing artefact. It’s a great example of the treasures which can be found out there, often hidden in plain sight. – Richard Winterton, Managing Director
The team played 47 matches during their tour, winning 14 and drawing 19. Johnny Mullagh was the standout performer, scoring 1,698 runs and taking 245 wickets.
Auctioneer and valuer David Fergus said the sale had attracted strong interest.
There was a huge amount of interest in the poster and on auction day we were bowled over to watch the bidding run up and see its story carry on by travelling back to Australia.
Given the pioneering nature of the team and their success on the pitch, the tour’s place in cricketing history was already assured.
Its importance is especially emphasised by the cultural crossover of heritage and sport, with the Aboriginal team showcasing traditional skills alongside their cricketing prowess. – David Fergus, Auctioneer and Valuer
the Aboriginal team showcasing traditional skills alongside their cricketing prowess.”
For more information, to arrange a free valuation of collectables or to enquire about house clearances, email office@richardwinterton.co.uk or call 01543 251081.
Visit: www.richardwinterton.co.uk
