Catalogue for the auction of
Cricket, Football & Sporting Memorabilia
Held on Friday, Saturday & Sunday
10th, 11th & 12th April 2026
Lot 979
Estimate: £180/250
Hammer: £320
‘Philadelphians, 1884’. Early large original sepia photograph of the members of the first Philadelphian team to tour England, taken at Brighton in 1884. The players seated and standing in rows wearing cricket attire, the majority in striped blazers. Printed title and players’ names printed to lower mount border. Players featured are R.S. Newhall (Captain), Brown, Stoever, Brockie, Law, Scott, C.A. Newhall, Clark, Thayer, Brewster, Lowry, Morgan and MacNutt. The photograph by E. Hawkins & Compy. (late Hennah & Kent) of Brighton measures 11.5”x9.25”, laid to official photographer’s mount, overall 13.25”x11.5”. The mount appears trimmed, the left edge detached and secured by tape to verso, with small tape repair to lower left corner. Otherwise an excellent image in very good condition.
Bob Newhall, described by ‘American Cricketer’ as ‘the premier batsman of America’ captained the Philadelphians on their inaugural tour to England (not first-class) in 1884, and the second tour of 1889 was led by his brother, Dan Newhall. The Newall family was instrumental in establishing cricket in Philadelphia in the latter half of the nineteenth century.