Mullock’s Auction - Sale of Rugby Union Memorabilia, Thursday 17th September 2020
MULLOCKS AUCTIONEERS SETs NEW RECORD FOR A RUGBY CAP SOLD AT AUCTION, THURSDAY SEPT 17th 2020:A new world record was set today, when the undisputed highlight of the sale, a magnificent, hugely rare 1910 French International Rugby Cap sold for a hammer price of £24,000 (£29,760 inclusive of buyers premium and VAT). It was presented to Julien Combe (of Stade Francais) for his first appearance for his country during the first ever 5 Nations Championship. It beat the previous record which was set 11 years ago at Athemion Auction when they sold an 1891 South African Cap presented to Howard Duff, which marked their first-ever international (that sold for £12,000 hammer, £14,000 inclusive of buyers premium). The French Cap described in the catalogue as, white velvet 6 panel cap c/w gold braid trim and tassel and date 1910 to the peak together with Red and Blue Circles above - together with embroidered details for matches against v E(Ecosse) 1910 and 1911, v A(Angleterre) 1910 and v I(Irlande) 1910 – included in the LOT was an original rugby caricature drawing of Julien Combe wearing his French International Shirt and signed by the artist Ronsague-Privas.
Artwork of Julien Combe by Ronsague-Privas
Note: Julian Combe made his French debut against Scotland in their first ever season in the Five Nations Rugby Championship and retained the full back position for the rest of the season and again in 1911 in their first match against Scotland in Paris when France won their first Five Nations match 16-15. This proved to be Combe’s final appearance for France after a long distinguished career for Stade Francais and culminating with this historical moment in French rugby history
https://www.mullocksauctions.co.uk/lot-743912-rare_1910_france_international_rugby_cap_presented.html
There were also colourful and coveted Baines Cards from the 1880s and 1890s; early Oxbridge Varsity match issues from before WW1, including Poulton-Palmer, and pre-WW2 with Prince Obolensky; a wonderful huge All Blacks’ autograph collection down the years; fine framed items; menus from 1910 on; tickets 1922 on, also included in the sale are match worn Jerseys, including a rare 1970 Northern Transvaal Jersey worn by the Captain ‘Piet Uys’ in the match against the touring All Blacks (sold for £320 hammer).
Further lots included other caps, such as a fine 1881 Gloucester Cap which sold for a hammer price of £300; a great deal of Southern Hemisphere material, inc rare programmes from NZ, SA, Australia & the S Pacific Islands; many early Four & Five Nations issues from 1926 on, Lions from 1950 on and rarer Barbarian & County matches; collections of badges, itineraries, club cards, club histories & World Cup material. A very rare programme from 1929, the 3rd Test between Australia v New Zealand sold for £1200 hammer'this was the pick of programmes'
Rugby Memorabilia Society
Peter Douglas-Davies
11/09/2020