Beschreibung:

WISDEN, John (1826-1884). The Cricketer's Almanack for the Year 1864 . London: John Wisden, 1864. Fine copy of the first edition in original wrappers and with spine well preserved . John Wisden, founder of the paperbound almanack, was the son of a Brighton builder and bowling phenomenon known as the 'Little Wonder'. The printer was W.H. Crockford of Greenwich who, with W.H. Knight, was also the compiler of the early volumes. His name appears in the front cover imprint, though not the title-page of the first edition. The main body of the new publication provided the scores of Gentlemen v Players matches from 1806, and contests between the two England Elevens from 1857. Among ‘Extraordinary Matches’ is mention of the 2nd Royal Surrey Militia's first innings score of 0 all out against Shillinglee, 13 August 1855. Under the same heading is put the historic victory of H.H. Stephenson's team over a Victoria Eighteen at Melbourne, January 1-3 1862. The almanack cost a shilling, no more than one of the monthly parts of Dickens’ Our Mutual Friend , serialised in 1864-65. To find a copy in its original state is extraordinarily difficult today. Octavo (162 x 102mm), [4], 112pp. (Some light creasing at corners, more particularly the lower corners of final two quires, G-H). Original printed buff wrappers (spine chipped at head, two chips to upper edge of back cover, front cover with small nick to fore-edge, both covers with short tears at lower joints). Provenance : W. [?]Green (faded signature at head of title).