Cricket: A leather bound Visitors Book in which John Arlott asked people who visited his home to sign their name and address. It dates from 1946 onwards. The entries cover 28 pages and include local friends, BBC colleagues, famous English and touring cricketers, and names from the world of poetry and literature.In 1946 we have the top players of the Indian touring team - Vijay Merchant, Vijay Hazare and Vinoo Mankad plus Michael Ayrton - a famous artist, sculptor, writer and broadcaster. Then in 1947 we meet members of the South African touring team - J D Lindsay -and Louis Duffus (writer) - as well as Req Perks, the Worcestershire cricketer who became a close friend. Harry Craig an Irish writer who was producing radio programmes at the time but later became a noted screenwriter of top level movies - writes a little four line ditty beginning "In Arlott's home they filled my glass. In 1949 several of the NZ tourists, including the manager and captain, as well as several of the Leicestershire cricket team. Also some famous players - Bill Bowes. Denis Compton, Bill Edrich,Norman Yardley. In 1950 we start with Raymond Postgate - a famous left-wing socialist and novelist (one of his books listed below) - but soon get back into cricketers - Martin Young, Wilf Wooller, Desmond Eagar. Also writers like Rupert Hart-Davis and Rex Warner and a fairly famous bandleader and impresario - Jack Hylton. Diana Rait Kerr arrives from Lord's and then nine members of the West Indian touring team including Gerry Gomez and Goddard the captain. They are followed by Harry Altham, Neville Cardus (the first visit from a key friend and colleague) and several other cricketers. From the entertainment world we see the comedian Ted Ray and many artistic and literary figures - Laurence Whistler. Pennethorne Hughes, William Plomer, the cartoonist 'Giles' - and then the first signature by John Betieman, the famous and much-loved poet laureate. He signs in on another 4 occasions over the next few years. In 1951 we get South African tourists - the Rowan brothers, Isaacs and Charles Fortune. Then, moving on to 1953 the great Lindwall and Miller arrive as do Mr and Mrs Denis Compton, Walter Robins, Benaud, WA Johnston and a first visit from Gerald Brodribb. Also Andrew Young, well regarded Scottish poet whose works were revered by Arlott. (see items below) And Norman Birkett, the cricket loving barrister.More cricket figures appear - Bill Bowes and Neville Cardus again, several Somerset players, Leslie Gutteridge, AA Thomson, Tom Graveney, Arthur Morris. Also a noted cricket-loving literary name - Edmund Blunden. Another interesting character was Ted Mason who was the first BBC screenwriter of The Archers and Dick Barton - Special Agent. The names tumble over and over - Frank Tyson, Robin Marlar, Rex Alston, Leo Harrison (Arlott's greatest cricket player friend). Ray Robinson, Willie Watson, Jackie McGlew, Neil Adcock and further visits by Whistler, Betjeman etc. By 1956 Colin Cowdrey, lan Craig, Peter May, RS Whitington, JW Rutherford, Jim Burke, Ron Archer, Len Hutton, David Sheppard, Gamini Goonesena and other cricketers show up plus many returns by Frank Tyson. Arlott's fellow BBC icon Brian Johnston visits with his wife, Pauline. Also one of the Boulting brothers, a famous movie maker. Finally, the great writer Kingley Amis appears twice but then the list is finished. John must have moved on to a new Visitors Book which sadly is not included in this lot. Still, a fine collection - and an important indicator of just how Arlott launched himself from local policeman to world famous broadcaster, writer and TV personality.Please assess photographs for a sample of the Visitors Book, viewing is advised.
