Lot 226
226
The Property of D. C. Woods by direct descent
IRISH INTERNATIONAL RUGBY UNION 1889 -- An Irish International rugby cap in green velvet with a gold tassle, edged and decorated with gold thread in the form of a shamrock and dated: "1889." With a MANCHESTER RUGBY CLUB CAP in crimson velvet with silver tassle, edged and decorated with silver thread in the form of a Lion and Unicorn flanking a blue-and-white embroidered shield with date: "1891-2," and a LANCASHIRE COUNTY RUGBY CAP in cream velvet with gold tassle, edged and decorated with gold thread in the form of three Lions within a red shield dated: "1892" (slight tear to back). Of two other unidentified club caps, one possibly Ulster is in blue and purple velvet, with monogram and date "1886-7," and the other of later period (and perhaps belonging to a younger relative) in cream and burgundy colours with crest of a Lion rampant, and monogram: "M.U.L.C. 1923-24." (5)

Details
IRISH INTERNATIONAL RUGBY UNION 1889 -- An Irish International rugby cap in green velvet with a gold tassle, edged and decorated with gold thread in the form of a shamrock and dated: "1889." With a MANCHESTER RUGBY CLUB CAP in crimson velvet with silver tassle, edged and decorated with silver thread in the form of a Lion and Unicorn flanking a blue-and-white embroidered shield with date: "1891-2," and a LANCASHIRE COUNTY RUGBY CAP in cream velvet with gold tassle, edged and decorated with gold thread in the form of three Lions within a red shield dated: "1892" (slight tear to back). Of two other unidentified club caps, one possibly Ulster is in blue and purple velvet, with monogram and date "1886-7," and the other of later period (and perhaps belonging to a younger relative) in cream and burgundy colours with crest of a Lion rampant, and monogram: "M.U.L.C. 1923-24." (5)

Lot Essay

D. C. Woods (ca. 1868-1938) first appeared for his local team, Bessbrook, between 1886-89. In 1889 he played his only international for Ireland against Scotland, and was subsequently capped. He then moved to England playing for Manchester against national and local teams. Included with his caps (which are illustrated on the back of our catalogue) is an album containing a portrait photograph of Woods, a team photograph of his local club, Bessbrook, in 1884, and newspaper cuttings recording his career from 1884-1894, with reports of the Ireland v. Scotland International of 1889, the New Zealand tour of 1888-89 (with a commemorative Christmas card containing a photograph of the Maori team), and matches played by Manchester against teams such as Birmingham, Liverpool, Bradford and Warrington. He remained a strong, steady player, one newspaper report stating: "Woods ... deserves the greatest credit for his play, which was always reliable."

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