Charlie Pritchard Rugby Collection
Historic collection of Jerseys
Today we saw a collection like no other up for auction; this was the collection of Wales international Charlie Pritchard who represented Wales on 14 occasions between 1904-10. Charlie was a renowned collector of match worn jerseys and acquired some of the most iconic Jerseys in Rugby history.
Highlights of the collection include: an Originals 1905 All Blacks 'worn by Francis Glasgow' this is unusual in that it still retains its original number on the back (with the majority of Originals Jerseys that exist today no longer having one), a 1906 Springbok Jersey and 1908 Australia Jersey making up an iconic trio of Jerseys of the three southern hemisphere giants of rugby.
1905 Originals All Black, 1906 Springbok & 1908 Australia An iconic trio
Also up for sale were a 1908 Anglo-Welsh, NSW, Welsh Trials, France, England, Ireland & Scotland, then a number of other club Jerseys including Ulster, Watsonians, Newport & Cardiff.
1910 France, 1909 Ulster & Newport Jersey (LOT 12)
All the Jerseys appear to be in fantastic condition and well looked after by the family for over a hundred years considering many would have been worn on multiple occasions for either club or country.
The collection of jerseys were worn in fundraisers, with the 'married XV team' all wearing unique jerseys from this collection, raising money for local charities and causes suchas the fixing of the local church roof and a junior rowing club.
Married XV – showing the majority of Jerseys
that were part of the Charlie Pritchard collection
Sadly Charlie passed away during the First World War at the age of 33.
Some historians are disappointed to see the collection being broken up, while others view it as an opportunity to add an iconic Jersey to their own collections.
Prices in recent years for quality rugby union memorabilia has seen a significant rise, there were signs 'pre covid' that prices of quality match worn jerseys were on the up. Many people during covid times found themselves getting interested in sporting memorabilia 'looking online with many starting to buy items they found interesting'.
Many believe Investors and speculators are starting to look at the rugby memorabilia market, hoping to see a return on their investment after seeing prices rise across the board in recent years, keeping their fingers crossed that trend continues with prices continuing to rise and sell for a profit down the road. Whether that trend continues only time will tell.
After a few years of being on loan to the Twickenham Rugby Museum, the collection has been put into auction by family decent with Charlie’s great grandson Gareth Pritchard giving them to Rogers Jones Auctioneers of Cardiff to sell.
Buyers Premium was set at:
28.8% if you bid directly with RJ
34.74% if using the saleroom platform
Sale results for the Jerseys were as follows:
LOT 1 – 1905 Originals All Black Jersey worn by F Glasgow - £33,000 (£42,504 inclusive of buyers premium)
LOT 2 – 1906 Springbok Jersey - £7000 (£9016 inclusive of buyers premium)
LOT 3 – 1908 Australia Jersey - £7800 (£10,046.40 inclusive of buyers premium)
LOT 4 – 1908 Anglo-Welsh Jersey worn by RK Green - £15,000 (£19,320 inclusive of buyers premium)
LOT 5 – 1906 Ireland Jersey worn by A Telford - £4000 (£5152 inclusive of buyers premium)
LOT 6 – 1910 France Jersey – £9000 (£11,592 inclusive of buyers premium)
LOT 7 – England Jersey - £2400 (£3091.20 inclusive of buyers premium)
LOT 8 – 1906/07 Scotland Jersey worn by J MacCallum - £1000 (£1288 inclusive of buyers premium)
LOT 9 – circa 1904 NSW - £UNSOLD
LOT 10 – Wales Trials Jersey - £1500 (£1932 inclusive of buyers premium)
LOT 11 – Newport Jersey (thick hoops) - £3100 (£3992.80 inclusive of buyers premium)
LOT 12 – Newport Jersey (thin hoops) - £1400 (£1803.20 inclusive of buyers premium)
LOT 13 – 1909 Ulster - £1800 (£2318.40 inclusive of buyers premium)
LOT 14 – Cardiff worn by Rhys Gabe - £1250 (£1610 inclusive of buyers premium)
LOT 15 – Watsonians - £300 (£386.40 inclusive of buyers premium)
Peter Douglas-Davies
Rugby Memorabilia Society
12/12/2023