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‘A Cricket Memento’

by | 21st August 2025

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A collection of cards collected from cigarette packets. They all feature a cricketer, who is pictured with an abnormally large head for their body, an interesting stylistic choice!

‘A Cricket Memento’

In the Tiverton Gazette of August 25th 1925, there was a long article headed , ‘A Cricket Memento, when Devon played All England’. There followed an almost ball by ball account of the match which had taken place in Tiverton during August 1862. Before that, however, the opening paragraph states that ‘during the past few days everyone has been talking of cricket and cricket records’. It was not immediately apparent why there was so much interest in the sport but a small paragraph in the same edition revealed the answer.

In August 1925, Somerset were playing Surrey in Taunton and the large crowds included many who had travelled from Devon and Cornwall. During this match, Jack Hobbs first of all equalled and then surpassed W G Grace’s long held record for the number of first-class centuries. This feat was reported by both the national and local press.

In our photo archive, we have pictures of the teams playing for both Tiverton and Heathcoats in 1923 and for Elmore in 1927.

A group of men in cricket whites looking directly at the camera. The front row are seated, all wearing soft caps, with the middle man holding a cricket bag with shin pads on. The back row of 6 are standing and there is another man dressed as an umpire in a long white coat over a suit.

Tiverton first team 1923

 

A group of men posed for the photo looking directly at the camera. All in cricket whites or suits, wearing hats. They are seated or or standing, underneath some trees.

Heathcoats side in 1923 

 

A group of men, some seated, some standing, wearing cricket whites, grouped for the photo. Some have shin pads and there is one younger boy sitting in the middle front

 Elmore Cricket Club team 1927

 

A collection of cards collected from cigarette packets. They all feature a cricketer, who is pictured with an abnormally large head for their body, an interesting stylistic choice!

We also have a collection of ‘cigarette cards’ from a slightly later date. Issued by ‘Turf’ cigarettes, there are 9 missing from the 50 card collection.

Going back to 1925, the Gazette reports that there were ‘many optimists who still believe that Devon will one day enter the first-class arena’. The County did apply in 1948 but was turned down. They have won the Minor Counties Championship eight times, most recently in 2011.

Written by Museum Volunteer, Sue B.

 

References

Surrey County Cricket Club

https://www.kiaoval.com/1925-jack-hobbs-breaks-graces-record/ accessed June 13 2025

Devon County Cricket Club  https://www.devoncricket.co.uk/history accessed June 13 20