MCC Publications

For many years, Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) has published or re-printed books as part of its Cricket Library series. Many of these are new works, produced for the general market in collaboration with selected authors and publishing houses. Others are more specialised publications, some of which are printed in support of exhibitions held in the MCC Museum at Lord's.

A selection of these publications is shown below.

How We Recovered the Ashes, 1903-04. Centenary edition

By PF Warner. Foreword by Gerald Howat. Hardback. 388 pages. Published by Methuen 2003. (See right.)

Originally published in 1904, this account of MCC's first-ever overseas tour, by one of the great figures of the game, Pelham Warner, provides a detailed insight into life generally and overseas tours during Edwardian times.

Tom Graveney at Lord's: A Year at the Home of Cricket

By Stephen Fay. Hardback. 256 pages. Published by MCC in conjunction with Methuen, 2005. (See right.)

This book celebrates Tom Graveney's year as MCC President, in 2004-05. He was the first professional cricketer to receive this honour. The story of Graveney's presidency is interwoven with an account of a year at Lord's - ending spectacularly with England's Ashes celebrations.

33 Years and 50 Tests Through the Lens of Patrick Eagar

By Patrick Eagar. Foreword by Tom Graveney. Softback. 78 pages. Published by MCC 2005.

A catalogue containing 74 of the best and most famous photographs, each with a commentary, which Patrick Eagar, the renowned cricket photographer, has taken at Lord's since 1972.

Cricket All My Life

By Gerald Howat. Foreword by Derek Pringle. 304 pages. Published by Methuen, 2006.

Gerald Howat's autobiography, newly published by Methuen as part of the MCC Cricket Library series. A colourful account of a career which has included schoolmastering, a professorship and a spell as a cricket journalist. 60 illustrations. In the words of 'The Wisden Cricketer', "Howat has some wonderful stories to tell".

A Breathless Hush

Edited by David Rayvern Allen with Hubert Doggart. Foreword by Sir Tim Rice. Hardback. 492 pages. Published by Methuen 2004. (See right.)

Containing an astonishing variety of poems, rhymes and songs, covering almost 300 years, and encompassing the satirical, the earnest and the exuberant, this volume is a worthy addition to the bookshelves of lovers of cricket and poetry of all ages. Described by 'All Out Cricket' as "the ideal gift for the discerning cricket lover" (June 2007).

Pavilions of Splendour

Edited by Duff Hart-Davis. Foreword by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh. Hardback. 192 pages. Published by Methuen 2004.

Charting the architectural history of Lord's from 1787 to the present day, this book contains much fascinating detail, taken from MCC's archives, and tells how the various stands, and other structures at the Ground, have been re-built over the years to imaginative designs.

The Second Lord's Cricket Ground: Home of MCC, 1811-1813

By David Rayvern Allen. Softback. 24 pages. Published by MCC 2006.

This new publication by David Rayvern Allen, the eminent cricket historian, tells the little-known story of the second Lord's Cricket Ground which was used by MCC between 1811 and 1813 - before it moved to its current site. This colour booklet contains 26 illustrations and much fascinating information about Thomas Lord and his background, his clients and his grounds.

Lord's Souvenir Guide

By Glenys Williams. Softback. 49 pages.

Tom Graveney, MCC President 2004-05, introduces the Guide, which explores the history of Lord's and takes the reader on a tour of the Ground. Explaining the important role played by MCC in the world of cricket today, the Guide contains many interesting articles and little-known facts about the Club and its Ground.

MCC Cricket Calendar 2007

Published by Methuen. Sized 33cm x 24cm approx. (See right.)

Featuring acclaimed sketches by Karen Neale, MCC's Young Cricket Artist 2005, complemented by shots taken by Anthony Devlin - a former MCC Young Cricket Photographer.

Ashes Urn Exhibition Catalogue

Edited by Glenys Williams. Published by MCC in association with Above Consultancy, 2006. 130 pages. Full colour. (See right.)

The official exhibition catalogue for the historic MCC / Travelex Ashes Exhibition tour to Australia, 2006-07. Packed with beautiful images and fascinating articles which throw new light on the history of cricket's most famous artefact, and the criketing contest named after it.

Lord Harris's Team in Australia, 1878-79: The Diary of Vernon Royle

By Vernon Royle. Foreword by Ted Dexter. Hardback. 80 pages. Published by MCC in conjunction with JW Mackenzie 2001. (See right.)

With an introduction by Dr Gerald Howat, Vernon Royle's contemporary chronicle of a tour, which began in Australia and ended in the United States of America, is a unique historical document. Throughout the occasionally controversial trip, he records events both on and off the field.

The Presidents of MCC

By Jonathan Rice. Foreword by Robin Marlar. Hardback. 336 pages. Published by Methuen, 2006. (See right.)

'The Presidents of MCC' is the first history of the holders of what 'Plum' Warner described in 1929 as "the chief post cricket has to offer". In 1950, as Sir Pelham Warner, he assumed the post - once called "the Woolsack of cricket" - himself. With some 200 Presidents to research, and a further twenty or so 'probables' from the earliest years, Jonathan Rice has produced a work worthy of all the occupiers of the Presidential seat in a book described as "excellent" and "a fascinating read" by 'The Independent' and as "entertaining and enlightening" by 'The Wisden Cricketer'.

Several of these publications are now available at discounted prices.