Beschreibung:

WILLIAM DENISON
WILLIAM DENISON The Cricketer's Companion ... Season 1843 London: W. Clement, Junior, and sold by J.H. Dark, J.D. Mills, Oxford: H. Slatter, Brighton: W.H. Mason, [1844]. 12mo. (a few margins soiled), original limp cloth, gilt lettering on upper cover (spine lacking, chip at edge of front cover). Provenance : J.W. Rimington-Wilson (signature on front pastedown; sold Sotheby's 27 February, 1928) -- E.D.R. Eagar (bookplate; gift inscription on bookplate in his hand, reading: "For John Arlott's Collection in exchange for Archaeology of Sussex Cricket and so much else besides") -- John Arlott (previously sewn into a binding with lots 119, 121-123). FIRST EDITION, FIRST ISSUE. Published over four years, 1844-47, and record for the 1844-46 seasons, Denison's Companion was the historical successor to the score books of Britcher and Bentley, and with Lillywhite's Guide set the precedent for Wisden's Almanack . While wryly observing that Denison "took part in a very large number of games of minor importance and often included his doings in them in tables devoted to the performances of the leading players", Ashley-Cooper recognised him "as the father of English journalism" ( Cricket Highways and Byways , 1927, pp. 229-30). This first edition of the Companion , published at 2/- in cloth and 1/6d in wrappers, included "The scores of all the grand and principal matches of cricket, played at Lord's and other grounds, in the season 1843". Allen 46; Padwick 1068.