GIFFEN, George [1859-1927: 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 ('Sincerely Yours') and signed in ink in the bottom right-hand corner of the image. The surface of the image is slightly scuffed and a little scratched and the mount has a few minor surface chips; overall it is in excellent condition. Giffen was 'regarded as the world's premier all-rounder at the end of the nineteenth century'; this was his last of five tours to England in a career of 31 Tests (including four as captain). His first-class career spanned 27 years (1877-1903); he performed the match double of a century and ten wickets no fewer than nine times; he became the first Australian to reach the Test double of 1000 runs and 100 wickets, and he remains the only Australian with 10 000 runs and 1000 wickets in first-class cricket (information from Martin-Jenkins, 1995 and OCAC, 1996). Signed Giffen material is of the utmost rarity.   $3000

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