We are proud to announce publication of The Essential Denison, reproducing in facsimile the works of the first true cricket reporter. Between 1844 and 1847 Denison published six editions of his Cricketer’s Companion. These contained scores from the major matches of the seasons 1843 to 1846. There were two editions in 1844 and 1845. He also wrote Sketches of the Players, short pen pictures of major players of the day, including Fred Lillywhite, Alfred Mynn and lesser known players such as Israel Haggis. Denison wrote for newspapers such as The Times, The Sunday Times and Bell’s Life, and magazines such as The Sporting Magazine. Many articles were unsigned, but those we have been able to identify as by Denison are also reproduced here. A scholarly commentary by David Rayvern Allen brings out new facts about the life and career of Denison, who was also a decent player and the first Honorary Secretary of the Surrey County Cricket Club. David has made extensive use of those incomparable researchers Roger Packham and John Goulstone.

Each of the seven booklets has been reproduced in exact facsimile, using appropriate paper and covers, in a form as close to their original publication state as possible. They are housed, together with the commentary, in a custom made bookbox with slipcase. Each set has a limitation statement signed by Mike Brearley, President of MCC. Of the 200 sets for sale many have been sold to subscribers, but there are still sets available

The set was published on April 9th 2008, with publication marked by an enjoyable launch in the pavilion at Lord's. Many subscribers were there to pick up their copies. The price for a set is £450, and sets can be ordered by ringing us on 01594 516030 or by using the secure credit card ordering facilty on the website. I will also have sets on my stand at bookfairs around the country.

Denison is shown here second from the right with players from The Eleven of England, ready for their Northern Tour in 1847. In the centre is Alfred Mynn.

Denison is the second in a series of facsimile reprints of rare items from the MCC library. We published the first, Britcher’s Scores, in 2003. Britcher, Denison, and any future publications in this series will share the same production values, reproducing rare items in a form as close to their original publication state as possible, accompanied by an illuminating commentary and housed in specially made book-boxes.

There are some sets of Britcher available, still at the published price of £450.

DENISON’S PUBLICATIONS

Denison produced his first annual in April 1844. It contained “the scores of all The Grand and Principal Matches of Cricket, played at Lord’s and other grounds In the season 1843”. After the second edition of the annual it was officially issued “By Authority and under the Patronage of the Marylebone Club”. They range in size from c. 50 pages to over 120. Whilst they contain mostly scores, some with bowling analyses, each also has an index and the season’s averages. The introduction to each one reviews the season.

As can be seen from the following table there were two editions in 1844 and 1845 (covering the seasons 1843 and 1844). Differences between the two editions each year are slight. It is interesting to note that the paper wrappered first edition cost 1/6 but by the following year it had climbed to 2/6.

Many of the matches are at Lord’s or at the universities but there are some from all areas of the country including Scotland. Personally I was interested to see that in 1845 there is a report of Gloucester v. Newnham (the little village in which I live).

It is not known how many copies of Denison survive but it is unlikely that there are more than 60 or 70. When they occasionally come up for sale they cost c. £3000 each.

‘Sketches of the Players’ is fascinating not just for the details about players of the day but for the extraneous material put in by Denison on his campaign to change certain aspects of the laws, which in some cases seem to have been met by success.

Denison was a free-lance journalist who worked for The Times, The Sunday Times, Bell’s Life, The Sporting Magazine and other publications. We have tried very hard to identify his work in these newspapers and magazines, but they were invariably unsigned. However we have managed to identify some pieces, which will be reproduced in the commentary. We shall also have material on his family background and connections with other luminaries of the day such as Charles Dickens.

Denison was intimately concerned with the setting up of the Surrey County Cricket Club, and was it’s first Honorary Secretary. At the meeting to set up the club Denison sang a song after which there was ‘loud cheering’. We shall be reproducing part of some early minutes of the Surrey CCC in Denison’s own handwriting as well as details of Denison’s own playing career.