1880 Fred Spofforth Carte de Viste
J.W. Price Babington Studio 1870-1888
$22.7K US
Born September 9, 1853, Frederick Robert Spofforth took two wickets playing for New South Wales against W.G. Grace at the age of 18. He was said to be the bowler who had the measure of Grace. He played his first Test in 1877 and rose to fame on 27 May 1878, when he bowled Grace for a duck and brazenly dispatched the MCC at Lord's.
Known as "The Demon Bowler" his ferocious fast bowling allowed him to be the first to take 50 Test wickets and to take a Hat Trick three men in a row on three deliveries in 1879. On 29 August 1882, Spofforth became legend by rallying the Aussies in the match that gave birth to the Ashes by holding England from 85 runs. He has been considered the best bowler of all.
As Fred Spofforth aged into the 1880's he became known for his thick moustache and fearsome glaring demonic like stare. During a cricket trip to England in 1884 he met Phyllis Cadman and married her in Broadsall, Derbyshire. He returned with his new wife to Australia, but in 1888 relocated back to Derbyshire. He became the Managing Director of his wife's family business the well-known Star Tea Company and after a pause he played cricket for the Derbyshire Cricket Club.
This one of a kind Carte de Viste (CDV) picture was taken in the 39 Babington Lane, Derbyshire studio of J.W. Price and shows a semi-smiling lanky 6'3" Spofforth with his trademark moustache growing in. It was likely taken circa 1880/1881 and was taken back to Australia and appears to have been gifted later to a third party. It is likely Spofforth himself carried it halfway across the world.
A vintage Carte de Viste such as this can be considered Spofforth's rookie cricket card. Almost all were spur of the moment individual original CDVs without copies which makes them invaluable museum grade Ephemera.
Open Offer $22,700 US
