19th century Irish cricket: an Ulster Cricket Club presentation cased cricket cap and bat to R.D. Buxton, the cap inscribed ULIDIA CC, 6-7-95, the bat
£80 - £120
19th century Irish cricket: an Ulster Cricket Club presentation cased cricket cap and bat to R.D. Buxton, the cap inscribed ULIDIA CC, 6-7-95, the bat mounted with a silvered metal shield inscribed U.C.C., ULIDIA, PRESENTED TO, R.D. BUXTON, FOR BEST BOWLING AVERAGE, SEASON 1896, the glass fronted wooden presentation case measuring 118 by 34 by 17cm. The Ulster Cricket Club was formed in 1873 and based at Ballynafeigh, Belfast. It was one of the foremost Irish cricket clubs in the Victorian period. A football section of the club formed shortly after in 1877. The club went out of existence in 1931 and the ground is now Ulidia Playing Fields, owned by Belfast City Council. The cap is unusually inscribed with a specific date. This may be a reference to the Club's victory in the NCU Challenge cup in 1895 when they defeated Armargh at Cliftonville by 3 wickets.