Beschreibung:

Robert Arthur Thoms. First-class umpire 1826-1903. Undated two page handwritten note in ink in which Thoms makes observations about the introduction of white coats for umpires. "When I call to mind that the most brilliant exhibitions of batting and sterling defence that I have witnessed have been made at the time when "Umpires" were not decked with white coats, makes me come to the conclusion that the game would have flourished equally as well without this supposed adventitious aid to the batsmen - and I am quite sure that "W.G" and others... who originally performed without this adjunct... will be of the same opinion. I well recollect the first time I came across the white coats was at Scarborough... when my brother umpire brought out a couple of them and I chaffingly remarked for what are these for to keep us warm. No! he replied, they are to help the batsman to see better. See better I replied, well I have just lately watched Jupp in for two days and that is long enough for me - and he thought so too - and we did not wear them'. Thoms also writes of 'when England first met Australia at the "Oval" in 1880, the most historical and momentous match that was ever player or ever will be'. He recalls the brilliant batting of 'Lord Harris, "W.G.", Freddie Grace, A.P. Lucas, A.G. Steele, Barnes, Willie Murdoch and Percy McDonnell... and Prince Ranjitsinhji'. An excellent first hand recollection. Some creasing, otherwise in good condition
Robert Arthur "Bob" Thoms (18261903) was a first-class cricket umpire who stood in two Test Matches, the first two played in England, in 1880 and 1882. His long umpiring career in first-class matches lasted from 1863 to 1900. When he died, The Times said that he was "the most famous umpire the game has known". He played in three first-class matches in the period 1850-1851: one for an Under 36 XI, one for Marylebone Cricket Club and Metropolitan Clubs and one for the All England Eleven. His umpiring partner in many of the more prominent matches was R.P. Carpenter