Marlar’s cricket collection to be auctioned

Cricket experts, dealers, collectors and enthusiasts are eagerly awaiting the forthcoming auction of one of the UK’s most impressive collections of cricketing memorabilia, following the announcement that the Sussex Cricket Museum will be holding an auction of former Sussex captain Robin Marlar’s personal cricket collection next month.
Robin MarlarRobin Marlar
Robin Marlar

The former bowler, who later became county captain, correspondent, commentator and Chairman of Sussex CCC, as well as President of the MCC, has an extensive collection which will be auctioned by renowned auctioneer Charlie Ross at The BrightonandHoveJobs.com County Ground, Hove on Saturday 11th April.

Marlar has been a towering figure in the game for over sixty years, playing 289 first-class games for Sussex, becoming captain in the 1950’s, followed by over thirty years as a cricket correspondent for The Sunday Times.

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Latterly, he has been a prominent figure in Sussex and England’s leadership as both President of Sussex CCC and then at the MCC from 2005 to 2007.

The collection, including paintings, prints, books and other highly collectable items, has been amassed over 67 years and the auction, which will take place in the Focus Group Boundary Rooms, will also be available online via a live feed.

There are 434 lots including 230 books and over 150 framed paintings and prints, with treasures including a rare 1864 Wisden Almanack, two original Lawrence Toynbee paintings, two series of ‘Vanity Fair’ prints, 1850s ‘Anderson Lithographs’ and four scarce Australian cricket pamphlets dating from 1912.

Charlie Ross, who has appeared on popular television shows such as Bargain Hunt and Flog It! will be conducting the auction.

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Ross is also a keen cricketer and particularly experienced in his field.

A quarter of all funds raised from the auction will be donated to the Sussex Cricket Museum. 84 year-old Marlar said: “I wanted to give something back financially to Sussex, so when they agreed to take on the sale, I was delighted. They’ve done an immaculate job.”

Jon Filby, Secretary of Sussex Cricket Museum said: “We are absolutely delighted that Robin has asked us to help him and we hope many buyers will attend the sale in person or online with a view to taking home a book, print or painting from this special collection.

“With Charlie Ross on the rostrum we are also bound to have a lot of fun. It is a really great way to launch the cricket season.”

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