DARLING, Joseph [1870-1946: SA and Australia]: An albumen paper cabinet photograph (image size approximately 150x100mm) laid down on the blind-stamped card of H. Parker Rolfe of Philadelphia; it dates from the short visit to America made on the homeward journey of the 1896 Australian touring team to England. It is a posed outdoor shot of the batsman at the crease; it is inscribed ('yours sincerely') and signed in ink in the bottom right-hand corner of the image. The surface of the image is slightly scuffed and the mount has a trifling surface chip; overall it is in excellent condition. Joe Darling 'was one of Australia's finest batsmen and Test captains'; he was captain in 21 of his 34 Test matches. This was his first of four successive tours of England; on each of them, he scored over 1000 runs, usually as an opener. He was captain of the last three tours, which included the Ashes-winning 1899 and 1902 sides; under his captaincy in England, his teams played 107 first-class matches, losing only eight. (Information from Martin-Jenkins, 1995 and OCAC, 1996).   $1600

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