KINGS OF CRICKET: REMINISCENCES AND ANECDOTES WITH HINTS ON THE GAME (GASTON'S COPY)

Richard Daft (1835-1900) was among the leading batsmen of his day (1858 to 1891), with his peak being the 1860s and early 1870s, when he was regarded as the best professional batsman in the country. Most of his major cricket was played Notts and the All-England Eleven, whom he captained from 1871 to 1880. In 1879 he led a strong side to North America, which beat a XV of Philadelphia. Here, he holds forth about the players of his time, offering fascinating insights into the life of a pro cricketer during the late 19th century. He is especially strong on his days with the All-England XI. The introduction by Andrew Lang is considered a model of the genre and a classic piece of cricket writing. Small 8vo. xiv + 274pp + [4] Portrait frontispiece, 69 full-page illustrations, plus figures in the text. Original black cloth, sl soiled, edges of spine beginning to split in places, gilt titles to front and spine. Inscribed and signed by the well-known cricket writer, Alfred Gaston, to the front endpaper. [Padwick, 903].