Catalogue for the auction of
Cricket, Football & Sporting Memorabilia
Held on Friday, Saturday & Sunday
10th, 11th & 12th April 2026
Lot 27
Estimate: £50/70
Hammer: £70
‘Sussex v. Gloucester at Brighton, Whit-Monday, June 1st , 1903’. Albert Craig. ‘Cricket Rhymester’ 1891. Original double sided broadsheet poem in four stanzas by Craig, ‘Respectfully dedicated to the popular Gloucestershire Captain, G.L. Jessop, Esq.’. The poem is headed, unusually, with portrait images of ‘Prince Ranji’, Ranjitsinjhi, and ‘The Gov’nor’, Bobby Abel. Craig looks forward to the match describing ‘Around the ever welcome Sussex chief [Ranji]/ Are gathered sturdy braves to “do or die”, with descriptions of players including ‘A Prince amongst athletes, illustrious Fry’, ‘accomplish’d feats of Harry Butt’, ‘good old Marlow, safe and sound’, also Relf, Killick, Tate, Bland, Vine etc. Advertisement to verso for F.H. Ayres cricket equipment. The page measures 11.25”x8”. Horizontal and vertical folds, the page cleanly spilt along one fold, otherwise in good condition.
In the match played at Hove 1st- 3rd June 1903, Gilbert Jessop achieved his highest first-class score of 286 in Gloucestershire’s first innings of 482. Sussex replied with 266 (Fry 83) and, following on, 325/4, Ranji ending 162no. The match was drawn. It is not known why Bobby Abel of Surrey is illustrated.