Details
STEPHENSON, Heathfield Harman -- An autograph manuscript in ink [c. 1875], 13 pages, on rectos of lined paper, signed "H.H. Stephenson," taking the form of a letter to the the editor of the Uppingham School Magazine, and containing "a few hints on the game from me which might be useful," the reverse of the final page inscribed "Proof to me H.H. Stephenson" (slight fading, minor tears to edges, a few leaves with vertical folds). [Together with 2 books:]
England v. Australia at the Wicket. A Complete Record .... Ilkley: Bumfitt and Kirby, 1887. 8°, original wrappers (worn). Padwick 4361 -- MONTGOMERY, H.H., Old Cricket and Cricketers, London: H. Stacey Gold, 1890, 8°, first separately-published edition, STEPHENSON'S COPY, signed on front blank "H.H. Stephenson, Esher, Surrey." Padwick 817. (3)
England v. Australia at the Wicket. A Complete Record .... Ilkley: Bumfitt and Kirby, 1887. 8°, original wrappers (worn). Padwick 4361 -- MONTGOMERY, H.H., Old Cricket and Cricketers, London: H. Stacey Gold, 1890, 8°, first separately-published edition, STEPHENSON'S COPY, signed on front blank "H.H. Stephenson, Esher, Surrey." Padwick 817. (3)
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Further details
A member of the 1859 tour to North America, and captain of the first English team to tour Australia in 1861-62, H.H. Stephenson (1833-1896) was a dominant all-rounder. He played 179 matches for Surrey between 1853 and 1871, and after his retirement coached briefly at Rossal and then at Uppingham School, becoming familiarly known to all Uppingham boys as "H.H." The present manuscript is the text of an article he wrote for the school magazine. It includes many technical tips to young cricketers for the improvement of batting and bowling skills. "I want to impress on young bowlers the importance of keeping the hand as high as possible," he writes on p. 2. It also lays unusual emphasis for the time on the importance of good fielding: "Fielding is a part of the game above all other departments which ought to have special attention paid to it" (p. 9). Stephenson has some witty suggestions to make for catching the opposing team off-guard and refers in the article to his early cricket days.