Period photograph of New Zealand's Masterton Rugby Football Club 1st XV, winner's of the 1891 Senior Cup, the sixteen players with Vice President J H

Period photograph of New Zealand's Masterton Rugby Football Club 1st XV, winner's of the 1891 Senior Cup, the sixteen players with Vice President J Hessey and Honorary Secretary C Blackburn in a seated and standing pose with Masterton Football Club emblem in the background, mounted on card with legend MASTERTON FOOTBALL CLUB FIRST FIFTEEN WINNERS OF THE SENIOR CUP 1891, MATCHES PLAYED 9, WON 9, POINTS FOR 65, AGAINST 11, with player legend, individual playing position and weight, printed with T.E. PRICE PHOTO and MASTERTON N.Z, mounted in a glazed and impressive gilt leaf carved frame, reverse of frame bearing remnants of THE WAIRARAPA STAR, NOVEMBER 19TH 1891, overall 50 by 56cm. Players comprise E.H. Eaton, A. D'Arcy, E. Holmwood, W. Day, J. Perry, R. Thompson, C. Bannister, E.M.D. Whatmann (capt), R. Malcolm, C. Perry, H. Perry, W.D. Watson, R. Gray, A. Holmwood, H. Hounslow, C. Holmwood. The team contains one player who achieved international honours, Archibald Edgar D'Arcy, who joined the club in the year this photograph was taken. He was also the first player to kick a penalty (dropped) goal in a New Zealand inter-union game. This photograph is a rare survivor of the early days of a sport that has become synonymous with New Zealand. Masterton rugby football team played in the Wairarapa district of the north island of New Zealand and had a very good season in 1891, winning all nine matches in the Seniors Cup. Charles John Munro is credited with introducing rugby to New Zealand and the first game played under official union rules was in May 1870. Please be aware all glass will be removed from framed and glazed items prior to posting and may result in delays to shipping your items. (This service is included in the cost of postage and packing). We can also totally remove all framing and mounts upon request to reduce shipping costs. Alternatively lots can be collected in person by prior appointment from NN8 1RT.