Spliced cane sprung handle. Straight blade, indistinct swell. Maker's marks to blade. Signed: Robert Abel / 1 October 1896. with attached part of an autograph letter by his son, A.E. Abel, which reads: Father used, and was very proud / of this bat. He scored a great number of runs with [it] in 1896 - one of his more successful seasons, including 231 against Essex / with / the great "Kortright" in the team. / With kind regards / Yours sincerely / A.E. Abel.