Foster Cunliffe's England international rugby union cap awarded for his appearance versus Scotland at The Oval 23rd February 1874 and believed to be t

Foster Cunliffe's England international rugby union cap awarded for his appearance versus Scotland at The Oval 23rd February 1874 and believed to be the oldest England international cap ever to have been offered at auction, the red cap with wire work rose emblem; sold together with three caps awarded to Robert Lionel Cunliffe (the son of Foster Cunliffe), namely a Hampshire County Rugby Union representative cap season 1920-21, dark blue with wire work county emblem; an United Services Rugby Club cap for season 1920-21, navy blue & red quarters, with wirework club monogram, the peak dated 1920-21; and a small navy blue cap inscribed 2nd. XV above a crest, believed to be an early cap awarded to Cunliffe at Schools or College level (4) This very early cap represents only the fourth match between England and Scotland in the history of international rugby. It was to be Foster Cunliffe's only international appearance for England. For the record, England won the game which, at this period were contested 20-a-side, by a margin of one goal. Cunliffe played as the equivalent of a modern day second row forward. His club affiliation was to the Royal Military Academy in Woolwich, where an Army rugby team had been formed as early as 1860. Foster Lionel Cunliffe is recorded as being born at Llanfyllin 20th April 1854 and that he died 15th April 1927 at Cuckfield just shy of his 73rd birthday. Robert Lionel Brooke Cunliffe was the son of the England rugby international Foster Lionel Cunliffe. Coming from a long standing military family, Robert Cunliffe joined the Royal Navy. He won his call to represent Hampshire after impressing for the Portsmouth club United Services (see next lot). In addition, Cunliffe was a fine cricketer and played for the Royal Navy between 1914 and 1929. The Cricketers' Who's Who lists him as a right hand batsman and a leg break & googly bowler. Provenance: By family descent, and thence acquired by the present vendor