The contents consist of a playing board,
rule-set, score-book, arrowy-thing, various cards for the batsman (who doesn't
seem to get a representative figure which is a bit odd) and the nub of the set
as far as we're concerned; a set of 23/25mm (HO'ish) figures in lead. De la Rue now - of course - famous for
making a high proportion of the world's paper (and increasingly - Polymer)
currencies, and based down the road, just outside Basingrad.
Of particular interest is the playing
surface, which despite the lack of batsmen, bowling or batting apparatus
(that's what all the cards are about) or balls, has been given a flocked
surface in three colours, each immaculately printed with no fuzzy boundaries or
colour-bleed. But then if this was made between the wars, in the Edwardian
period, flocked wallpaper had taken flocking 'tech' to heights it has only
retreated from ever since!
Close-up of the playing pieces, they can -
with exceptions - be moved between balls or overs, and the reason there is a
bowler when there are no batsmen, is that the fielding-player can vary the
run-up and ball toss.
The figures are semi-flat and probably full
of lead, with four poses, standing and squatting fielders, wicket-keepers and
the bowler. A lovely set and many thanks to Adrain who let me shoot it at the
recent Sandown Park toy fair.
