ex 40 42 ex 43 40. TWO LETTERS FROM JAMNAGAR PALACE, 1910 Two autograph letters, written and signed by Harry Lester Simms while at Jamnagar Palace, a guest of Ranjitsinhji. The letters are addressed to “Kumar Saheb” [Kumar Shri Godji Khengarji Saheb “Manhubha” , second son of Khengarji Rao III, ruler of Kutch at Bhuj Palace] “ ...His Highness requests that you would be kind enough to play us 2 matches, here and at Bhuj.....kindest regards to His Highness, Your Brother & Kuty Saheb” , 2 pages undated; and the second letter, dated 19.6.10, “I have given your message to the Jam Saheb & he says he real[l]y cannot hear of it. So you see you must come here & play us. He also tells me to tell you that he will play for you if you wish....we are short of matches & should real[l]y feel disappointed if you did not pay us a visit this year.... ” , 2 pages. Both letters on watermarked letter sheets headed “ARCHIE VILLA, JAMNAGAR” with Ranjitsinhji’s crest embossed in gold. A few small filing holes not affecting text. Harry Lester SIMMS [1888-1942] was an English First Class cricketer who played a prominent role in cricket for Sussex and the MCC. He was born in Adelaide but moved to England. Simms would have known Ranji from the Sussex County Cricket Club in which they both played at the same time. He also played cricket in India for the Europeans Team, based in Bombay. Provenance: Nawanagar Palace Museum Collection.��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� $800–1,000 41. “MINUTES of CONFERENCE between THE PLAYERS’ REPRESENTATIVES and THE BOARD OF CONTROL, Held at the New South Wales’ Cricket Association’s Rooms, Sydney, on Thursday, January 14th 1909” 30 pages, typed; original record of the meeting. Present on behalf of the Board were Col. Foxton (Qld), W.P . McElhone (Hon. Sec.), Frank Iredale (NSW), G.M. Evan (S.A.) & G.P . Barbour (NSW). Present on behalf of the Players were Clem Hill (S.A.), Monty Noble (NSW) & Frank Laver (Vic.). A fascinating insight into the financial considerations and player payment arrangements prior to the departure of the Australian Team to England for the 1909 Test Series. Provenance: The Bill Jacobs Collection.��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� $500–750 42. AN ORIGINAL HAND-PAINTED PICTURE OF RANJITSINHJI COMPOSED OF REAL BUTTERFLY WINGS, circa 1912 Ranji standing in a colourful landscape, wearing a matching turban and diamond-buttoned tunic sherwani, plain trousers and silver-buckled shoes. He wears his British awards of GCSI and GBE, with his sash of office. He holds his state sword wrapped in a silk shawl and wears a diamond necklace. Commissioned by Ranji and with a “Made in England” label on the reverse of the white metal frame on stand. 18 x 10.5cm.����������������������������������������������������������������������������������� $1,000–1,500 43. Black ledger book titled in manuscript on the first page “Victorian Cricket Associations’ Patriotic Efforts for Australian Wounded Soldiers and for Providing Cricket Materials for Australian Camps Abroad and in Victoria 1915 - 1916”; 63 pages detailing donations (date, amount, name), auction sales receipts, Button Day returns, Blackham Ball subscriptions, as well as amounts spent on cricket bats, bails, gloves and other sports materials. There are also lists of awards (ornamental buttons, etc.) which were given for outstanding effort. Significant contributions are listed from Mr Justice Leo Cussen; Hon. D. Mackinnon, M.L.A.; W.S. Stott, J.P .; Frank Laver; the various country and suburban cricket clubs amounts for sales of tickets and patriotic buttons. At the first auction sale, Blackham’s bat sold for £42 to Mr. J.H.Connell; Arthur Jones’ bat sold for £26/5/-; at the 2nd auction, Bill Murdoch’s bat sold for £73/10/- and Trumper’s bats for £36/15/- and £57/15/-; Armstrong’s bat for £27/6/-; the 1882 Ashes score book sold for £34/13/-. John Wren (the subject of Frank Hardy’s “Power without Glory”) made a £50 donation to the Blackham Ball. Also of great interest is the list of items (including footballs) distributed to soldiers in Australia and overseas, giving the location and method of delivery. A remarkable record of the efforts of the Victorian Cricket community in the early days of World War One. Provenance: The Estate of Bill Jacobs, 1918 - 2011.��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� $1,000–1,500 12