An original invitation from the South Australian Cricketing Association to a Reception for the visiting Essendon Football Team
A sheet of paper (140 × 226 mm), with processed manuscript text and manuscript insertions on the recto.
The paper is folded into quarters, with a short marginal split along one crease; slight offsetting and foxing; overall, a fragile piece of ephemera in excellent condition.
The invitation, issued to 'Mr R Burton', is signed by John Creswell, long-standing SACA secretary (1883-1909: in 1990, the Sir Donald Bradman Stand replaced the John Creswell Stand, erected in his honour in 1923). The invitation, dated 6 August 1888, reads in full: 'Dear Sir, I beg to inform you that the Essendon Football Team will arrive by Express on Thursday 9th instant at 10.15 am, that a Reception will be accorded to the team in the Mayor's Reception Room, Town Hall at 12 noon, to which you are invited to attend'. Essendon left on Monday 20 August with three wins and a draw (against Adelaide, South Adelaide, Norwood and Port Adelaide respectively). Richard Burton (1863-1933) was a Gawler school teacher who played a prominent active role in cricket in the district at the time, and was evidently a keen football fan, with membership to several clubs. The South Australian Cricketing Association was formed in May 1871; the current name, the South Australian Cricket Association, was apparently adopted between the 1898 and 1899 AGMs.
Item #122463
Price (AUD):
$1,875.00