Object number
M.65.6
Title
Bat of WG Grace, 1869
Date
1869
Creator
Production notes
Handle: Cobbett
Face: M. Dark & Sons, Lord's Ground
Material
Size
Height: 87 cm
Height: 34.25 inches
Weight: 991 g
2 lb 3 oz.
Description
Spliced cane handle, possibly with wood insert, twined. Straight blade, indistinct swell. Blade bound with twine. Worn toe with losses. Maker’s and retailer’s marks to face and head of handle. Ink inscription to face, initials to reverse and white Bakelite plaque to face.
Display caption
Bat used by W.G. Grace 1869
Made by Matilda Dark & Sons
Donated by Major Robert Edwards
M.65.6
J.H. Dark had two brothers. The eldest, Ben, ran a bat making business at Lord’s, the youngest, Robert, made cricket balls and was responsible for taking in the gate money at grand matches. On Ben’s death in about 1840 the bat making business was taken over by Matilda Dark. Matilda’s son Frank took over both businesses in the 1870s. Lord’s had become the Dark family business, and was sometimes referred to as “Dark’s”.
Association
Related objects
Exhibitions
Object name
Object Category
