Batting For Royalty

MELBOURNE, Australia, July 27, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Prince Charles has been known for many things including his passion for sustainable living and architecture. Lesser known is his interest in cricket, a noble game that can trace its roots to England in the 16th century. Although it appears to have started among children and continued until the 17th century when it was adapted by adults, it never figured prominently among the upper and ruling classes until the 18th century, spurred on by the introduction of gambling. A notable early adoptee was Charles Lennox, the 2nd Duke of Richmond and a grandson of King Charles II.

It is therefore of some interest to discover that a full size match-used 'Gray-Nicholls' cricket bat that was used by Prince Charles will be auctioned on August 5th by Mossgreen.

The next in line to the England throne employed the bat with limited effect in a match between the Royal Air Force and Lord's Taveners on July 4th, 1971. Playing for the RAF, Prince Charles made 10 in his side's total of 220 with the loss of nine wickets. The opposing side made 221 with the loss of six wickets.

The bat is signed on the front by Prince Charles and is believed to be the only cricket bat bearing his signature. The lot also comes with a photograph of Prince Charles being presented with the bat at RAF Cranwell. Both items belonged to Jock Livingston, an Australian cricketer who played most of his first-class cricket in England.

"We're not sure how the bat came into the possession of Jock Livingston who died in Sydney in 1998," says Charles Leski. "We do know that it was a source of enormous pride for him as an item of memorabilia as rare as this would be highly valued."

Lot 219 has a pre-sale estimate of $1,000 - $2,000. (NB: Image available at http://www.mossgreen.com.au/images/lot/6414/64148_2.jpg)

The lot will be offered for sale by Mossgreen in Melbourne on Tuesday, August 5th at 10.00am.

Mossgreen is a market leader in the sale of Australian & international art, Indigenous art, Chinese & Asian arts, decorative arts, early photography, books, medals, coins, stamps, maps, travel memorabilia, advertising posters and sporting memorabilia.

Mossgreen offers an online, real-time bidding system 'Mossgreen live(TM)', which allows live auction participation from anywhere in the world.

Mossgreen is located at 926-930 High Street Armadale, Victoria 3143 Australia. Tel +61 3 9508 8888, www.mossgreen.com.au

Issued by:
Charles Leski, Mossgreen
Tel: +61 3 9508 8888
charles.leski@mossgreen.com.au

Michael Krape, Michael Krape Consulting
Tel: +61 (0) 403 135 880
michaelkrape@krape.com.au

SOURCE Mossgreen Pty Ltd