The Dishevelled Gentleman Vintage Books The Dishevelled Gentleman Vintage Books Cricket has one of the richest literary traditions of any sport. It’s history is full of characters and moments such that, if you saw them you would never forget, and if you read about them you could scarcely believe. I love cricket, and I love books on cricket. Anyone interested in forming a cricket book club, let me know. For queries or to order email me at [email protected] Postage and handling will be either $5 for lighter books or $10 for larger, heavier ones (over 600 gr., packed). I can confirm via email if you let me know what you’re interested in. To get on the mailing list click here This catalogue was updated on the 18th of January 2014 Photos are of the actual books. The benefits of buying second hand books: 1. Fiscal: You typically pay less than half what you’d pay retail 2. Emotional: Collecting is fun, finding that rare, hard to find, out of print book (like a signed 1st edition Ray Robinson, for example) is an amazing feeling. 3. Environmental: the original recycling, no additional trees or water is used if you buy an old book in preference to a new one. 4. Emotional II: The feel and smell of a book is so much better than that of a kindle. 5. Practical: It can never run out of batteries. Many thanks and regards, Dusty Cricket: Classics: Batting From Memory: Jack Fingleton Jack Fingleton is my favourite writer on the game. Fingo knew everyone, he batted for an entire day with Bradman in a test match, yet they had a relationship that can only be described as . complex. He was press secretary to “The Little Digger” Billy Hughes, confidant of Sir Bob Menzies, writer on politics, the man who brought Larwood to settle in Sydney, a good friend of Sir Neville Cardus; he had a rich life. His autobiography is like a fine bottle of red wine, smooth and warming. The more you imbibe the better you feel. Style: Hardback, Condition: Very Good, dust jacket, pages are clean and bright. Edition: 1st. Price: $20 + p&h Order Beyond A Boundary: C. L. R. James C. L. R. was one of the foremost thinkers of the 20th Century and devoted to the game. He describes this remarkable book as “neither cricket reminiscences nor autobiography. It poses the question What do they know of cricket who only cricket know?” It explores the game in the West Indies, it’s place in the Islands psyche, history, politics and social fabric. It also explores the game itself, it’s history, it’s character and artistry. After reading it you gain a completely new perspective of what cricket is. It is quite simply one of the best books I have ever read. Style: Paperback, Condition: Very good, cover unmarked, pages clean and bright. Edition: 2005 reprint. Price: $15 + p&h Order Between Wickets: Ray Robinson Robinson’s great book on cricket and cricketers between the wars has developed a reputation as one of the greatest works in the cannon. He analyses Bradman and the effects on his batsmanship of bodyline, he delves into that series itself and he offers us insight into the character and greatness of the likes of O’Reilly, McCabe, Larwood, Sutcliffe & Jardine. He does all this while examining the events which shaped their era and squarely placing them in their context within the history of the game. Sir Neville Cardus said of this book “It would be no great praise to describe this book as the best on cricket written by an Australian so far. He sees right through the master so clearly that we might at once call him X-Ray Robinson.” Style: Hardback, Condition: Very good, no dust jacket, pages clean and bright. Edition: 1st. Price: $15 + p&h Order Style: Hardback, Condition: Very good, dust jacket worn with some tears but covered, pages Yellowing. Edition: 4th (Pictured). Price: $15 + p&h Order Autobiography: Neville Cardus Neville Cardus is the greatest writer on cricket who has lived. His Autobiography will enrich your life. When I read it I would sit on my balcony at home and watch the world go by. After every page the world I looked on was better that it had been before. Style: Hardback, Condition: Fair, dust jacket gone, pages clean and bright. Edition: 2nd. Price: $15 + p&h Order Thrown Out: Ian Meckiff as told to Ian McDonald This is a book in two parts. Ian’s career was short and bitter, accused of being a chucker, he was no balled out of the game. He was understandably upset by this and he pours out much of his frustration into this book. The second part is one of the best portrayals of the events of the 1961 West Indian tour of Australia I’ve ever read. Starting with the closing moments of the first test in Brisbane, the infamous tied test, Ian takes us through the second last ball of the game, straining for the crease, head down, limbs outstretched, it was he who was run out with the scores level, it was a moment of destiny in an amazing series. Very good book. Style: Hardback, Condition: Very Good, dust jacket is ragged at the top but I’ve covered it so it won’t deteriorate any further, pages clean and bright. Edition: 1st. Price: $20 + p&h Order A Century of Cricketers: A.G. “Johnny” Moyes Johnny Moyes was a first class cricketer of the early century and nearly played test cricket. He became a NSW selector and brought Bradman down from the bush. He worked as a journalist as well and wrote extensively on the game. His biography of Bradman is much sought after but I think this is his best book. In it he gives us glimpses of 100 of the great cricketers from the beginning of test cricket up to 1950. A lovely and enlightening read. Style: Hardback, Condition: Good, dust jacket has a couple of small tears at the top but is otherwise good, pages clean and bright. Edition: 1st. Price: $15 + p&h Order A Century of Ashes: Compilation Published in 1982 A Century of Ashes is the definitive collection of writings on the first century of the greatest sporting rivalry in history. With contributions from the greatest writers on & players of the game including Cardus, Grace, Fingleton, Fry, Ranji, Robinson, Hutton, Bradman, O’Reilly, Miller, Lawry, Benaud & Brearley, to name but a few, this is a wonderful tome to pull out on a dreary Winters night and delve into with a glass of Scotch. Style: Paperback, Condition: Very Good, no marks, minimal creasing, pages yellowing a little. Edition: 1st in paperback. Price: $10 + p&h Order Style: Hardback, Condition: Very Good, dust jacket good, pages clean and bright. Edition: 1st. Price: $15 + p&h Order Farewell to Cricket: Don Bradman This paperback edition is the 1994 reissue of the Don’s 1950 cricketing Auto biography. When the Don drew the curtain on his illustrious career he took that meticulous nature of his and channeled it into the creation of this book. He tells of his development as a cricketer, of his approach to the game, gives his opinions on all the issues of the times and his side of many of the controversies that plagued his time in the game (up to that point). He also tells of the personal triumphs and travails of his life outside the arena. He writes in a voice so strong you can hear that thin, high pitched drawl of his in every written word. This book is the corner stone of the cricket literature collection of any Australian aficionado. Style: Paperback, Condition: Very Good, no marks, minimal creasing, pages clear and bright. Price: $10 + p&h Order On Top Down Under: Ray Robinson One of the great books in the cannon of Australian cricket literature from one of the great writers on the game, Ray Robinson. Ray was a journalist who was known for religiously watching every ball of test matches. His Magnum Opus, On Top Down Under, tells the stories, lives, hopes and dreams of Australia’s Cricket Captains, from handsome Dave Gregory to the tortured and maligned Kim Hughes, with wit, humour and no small amount of insight. Style: Paperback, Condition: Very Good, cover unblemished, pages clean and bright. Edition: 2nd. Price: $10 + p&h Order The Paddock That Grew: Keith Dunstan Keith Dunstan’s celebrated history of the MCG and MCC provides not just the definitive story of the development of the ground and the august institution, but also of the city in which they grew. Did you know they used to fight duels on Market Street in the mid nineteenth century? You would if you’d read this book. This 1974 edition is of larger size than I’ve seen before being 12’ x 9’ rather than the usual 9’ x 6’ and seems to contain more pictures from the MCC collection than other editions. Style: Hardback, Condition: Excellent, no dust jacket, pages clean and bright. Edition: 2nd. Price: $25 + p&h Order A Life-Long Innings, The Jack Ryder Story: Marc Fiddian Jack Ryder was the pride of Collingwood and a great Victorian in the mode of Bill Lawry. A hard hitting batsman and canny medium pace bowler, he captained Australia in 1928-29 during Bradman’s first series. In many ways Ryder, despite his great achievements is a forgotten cricketer (though not in Collingwood), Marc Fiddian is to be admired for bringing his story to light.