28th Oct, 2025 10:00
The Childhood Auction | The Cricket Auction
![Lot W.G. Grace [William Gilbert Grace] Manuscript autograph Letter 1885](https://storagegochorleys.blob.core.windows.net/stock/83228-0-medium.jpg?v=63895422892250 "Click for high resolution")
inc W.G. Grace [William Gilbert Grace] Manuscript autograph Letter 1885
W.G. Grace [William Gilbert Grace] Manuscript autograph Letter 1885 two-page letter on ‘Gloucestershire C.C.C.’ headed paper, folded to 8vo, on laid paper watermark 'Towgoods Fine', red logo for the club and with printed header ‘Thrissell House, Stapleton Road, Bristol, ... 188..', neatly signed W.G. Grace, reading
Dear Page
I want to know if you and Brain can manage two matches out of the three we play in June. I propose playing June 3.4.5 tricky (?) 10.11.12. Would June 17.18.19, 21.22.23, 24.25.26 suit better. You play Cambridge on June 28.29.30 I think. Let me have an answer by return. I see young Croome won a hurdle race last week, we shall have a good running lot soon, in the Gloucestershire team. I think Croome will be good enough for your 11 next year. I shall play him for Gloucestershire, keep an eye on him. Give my love to Brain and tell him to be a good boy, as I want him to play the early matches next year.
Believe me
Yours truly W. G. Grace
P.S. Did you lose a bunch of small keys at Scarboro
Footnote:Herbert Vivian Page (1862-1927) was a first-class cricketer who played for Oxford University and Gloucestershire. He played for Cheltenham college in 1881-82. He attended Wadham College, Oxford and made the cricket team in his first year, playing Cambridge each year between 1883-86. He scored one century for Gloucestershire between 1883-1895 and was part of many 'Gentlemen v Players' matches. Page's son Dallas was captain of Gloucestershire in 1935 and 1936
Croome likely refers to Arthur Capel Molyneux Croome (1866-1930), who played for Gloucestershire between 1885-1892.
Brain likely refers to William Henry Brain (1870-1934)
W.G. Grace [William Gilbert Grace] Manuscript autograph Letter 1885 two-page letter on ‘Gloucestershire C.C.C.’ headed paper, folded to 8vo, on laid paper watermark 'Towgoods Fine', red logo for the club and with printed header ‘Thrissell House, Stapleton Road, Bristol, ... 188..', neatly signed W.G. Grace, reading
Dear Page
I want to know if you and Brain can manage two matches out of the three we play in June. I propose playing June 3.4.5 tricky (?) 10.11.12. Would June 17.18.19, 21.22.23, 24.25.26 suit better. You play Cambridge on June 28.29.30 I think. Let me have an answer by return. I see young Croome won a hurdle race last week, we shall have a good running lot soon, in the Gloucestershire team. I think Croome will be good enough for your 11 next year. I shall play him for Gloucestershire, keep an eye on him. Give my love to Brain and tell him to be a good boy, as I want him to play the early matches next year.
Believe me
Yours truly W. G. Grace
P.S. Did you lose a bunch of small keys at Scarboro
Herbert Vivian Page (1862-1927) was a first-class cricketer who played for Oxford University and Gloucestershire. He played for Cheltenham college in 1881-82. He attended Wadham College, Oxford and made the cricket team in his first year, playing Cambridge each year between 1883-86. He scored one century for Gloucestershire between 1883-1895 and was part of many 'Gentlemen v Players' matches. Page's son Dallas was captain of Gloucestershire in 1935 and 1936
Croome likely refers to Arthur Capel Molyneux Croome (1866-1930), who played for Gloucestershire between 1885-1892.
Brain likely refers to William Henry Brain (1870-1934)
Paper a little toned but crisp throughout, horizontal fold, a little foxing, imprint of letterhead logo to lower part from folding, second page with approximately 3-4cm tear into text without losses, minor foxing, final blank verso signature toned and a little marked.
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Auction: The Childhood Auction | The Cricket Auction, 28th Oct, 2025
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