This charming early-19th-century hand-coloured lithograph depicts a female cricketer dressed in an outfit befitting the fashions of the 1830s.
This exceedingly rare print features an elegant lady attired in a shin-high dress with voluminous ‘gigot’ sleeves, top hat and laced boots. With bat in hand, she guards the wicket during a match against ‘All England’. She’s possibly playing for Ireland.
During the 1830s, women tended to wear the same clothes for cricket as they did in society. But thankfully, the dresses were cut a little shorter to allow them to run. The top hat appears to be a whimsical addition.
It was initially published at Gabriel Shear Tregear's shop in Cheapside, London and printed by W Clark of High Holborn.
Apparently, the window at Tregear's was such a feast for the eyes that a young lad was nearly killed while gawping through the glass - a passing wagon severed his arm. A policeman was subsequently placed nearby and the ‘excitable’ offerings tucked away.
Today, the print rarely surfaces with other copies held at Lord's MCC Cricket Museum and the Australian Sports Museum. It was referred to in ‘The Wisden Book of Cricket Memorabilia’ as one of the more collectable cricket lithographs.
A fine gift for a cricket connoisseur.
Framed and glazed.
Medium: Hand-coloured lithograph on paper
Overall size: 16” x 20” / 41cm x 51cm
Year of creation: c. 1840
Labels & Inscriptions: Keeping The Wicket Against All England. Fancy Sketches No. 21.
Condition: Artwork presents well. A few minor marks and light creasing. Frame with light wear.
