WISDEN – Cricketers' Almanack for 1888 [-1891]. London: John Wisden & Co., [1888-1891].

The late 1880s/early 1890s, all in original wrappers with spines well preserved, and heralding the start of photographic illustration in Wisden. 25th to 28th editions, recording years of supremacy against Australia; England win both Tests in Australia in 1886-1887; Shaw and Shrewsbury's team are regarded as 'one of the strongest that ever left England for the Colonies.' Both summer Tests in 1888 go England's way, the sixth Australian team in England being 'for all practical purposes a new eleven trusting to two young bowlers' in Turner and Ferris. The photographic plate of 'Six Great Bowlers', which appears in the 1889 edition, includes Turner and Ferris, and also S.M.J. Woods, as an English player of Australian background.

4 volumes, octavo (160 x 103mm), all bound in original wrappers. 1888: [2], xxviii, 362, [20]pp. (a couple of faint marginal spots on title, light spotting to ads at end, wrappers rebacked preserving most of the original spine, both covers lightly creased at corners and with some light soiling); 1889: one photographic plate, [2], xl, 356, [22]pp. (a few leaves at end dogeared, but otherwise a clean copy, wrappers rebacked preserving most of the original spine, both covers perhaps washed and slightly faded); 1890: one photographic plate [2], lii, 301, [21]pp. (tiny crumpling at fore-edge of first few leaves, wrappers rebacked preserving most of the original spine, upper corner tip of rear cover repaired, some light soiling). Provenance: J. Lewis (contemporary ink ownership inscription on front cover); 1891: front cover states this is the second issue, one photographic plate, [2], xlvi, 353, [19]pp., erratum slip printed in red (title cut short and mounted on a stub, perhaps supplied from another copy, some occasional scattered spotting, wrappers rebacked preserving most of the original spine, repairs to head of spine and top corner of front cover, both wrappers rubbed and lightly creased).

Please note this lot is the property of a consumer. See H1 of the Conditions of Sale.