W G Grace's book ''cricket'' this particular volume originally owned by Siegfried Sassoon the English poet, writer and soldier who received it as a Ch

W G Grace's book ''cricket'' this particular volume originally owned by Siegfried Sassoon the English poet, writer and soldier who received it as a Christmas present aged 12 in 1898, with an inscription in the hand of the young Sassoon to the front end paper, modern monogrammed library label relating to this book being sold at auction in 1991 is pasted to the inside of the front cover, green cloth, gilt, published by J W Arrowsmith, Bristol, 1891, good condition Siegfried Loraine Sassoon (1886-1967) was decorated for his bravery on the Western Front and became one of the leading poets of the First World War. He is also best remembered for his fictionalised autobiography the 'Sherston Trilogy.' Sassoon expressed his opinions on the political situation before the onset of the First World War thus - ''France was a lady, Russia was a bear, and performing in county cricket was much more important than either of them''. Sassoon had dreamt of playing for Kent County Cricket Club, inspired no doubt by the fact that the county Captain Frank Marchant was a neighbour. Siegfried often turned out for Bluehouses at the Nevill Ground, where he sometimes played alongside Arthur Conan Doyle. He also played cricket for his house at Marlborough College, once taking 7 wickets for 18 runs. Although a talented enthusiast, Sassoon was not good enough to play First Class Cricket, but he played cricket for Matfield, and later for the Downside Abbey team, continuing into his seventies. This volume was originally sold at the auction of Siegfried Sassoon's library at Sotheby's on 18th July 1991. It was sold as part of lot 34, a multiple offering of 72 volumes relating to cricket, golf and fishing and was the first mentioned item in the catalogue description.