Object number
60/561/2
Collection
Exhibition
Creator
Description
This is one of eight samples showing the making of a cricket bat. The samples are part of a large collection of traditional craft products acquired from the British Council in 1960. They were made by Gray Nicolls Ltd., cricket bat manufacturers, of Robertsbridge, West Sussex, circa 1945–6. This block of English-grown willow (salix alba) with a ‘splice cut’ shows the second stage. After seasoning, the block of wood is partly shaped with a drawknife, subjected to pressure to harden it, and then the V-shaped splice to take the handle is removed.
Physical description
1 cricket bat sample: willow
Archival history
MERL miscellaneous note, B. L. 22 March 1961 – ‘The British Council collection. // This collection of material which is covered by the accession numbers 60/430 to 60/791 contains examples of craft products made in the British Isles. The major part of the collection was prepared immediately after the Second World War for a travelling exhibition which was sent to Australia and New Zealand. // The collection was purchased for a nominal sum by the Museum in two portions, the one in the summer of 1960 and the other in February 1961. // For further details see the individual catalogue cards and the catalogue prepared for the temporary exhibition of the collection.’, MERL 'Catalogue index' card – ‘The bat is made from English grown willow (Salix alba): willows grown elsewhere are prone to be too brittle and heavy. When the trunks reach a circumference of about 50”, they are felled in winter and are sawn into lengths of 2’4”. These are cleft into ten or twelve segments which are sawn into blade shapes and are then left to season for six months in the open and six months indoors. The blade is partly shaped with a draw knife and is then subjected to a pressure of 2 tons/sq. in. to harden it. The sides are also pressed and the V-shaped splice to take the handle is removed. // The handle is made from Sarawak cane which is cut into the correct lengths and planed square. Twelve or sixteen pieces of cane are glued into units of four called ‘slips’ for each handle. In order to absorb the shock, three strips of rubber are glued between the slips. // The handle is then turned by lathe to round it, and the end is sawn off to fit the blade exactly. A perfect fit is essential, for the two parts are held together by glue alone. The finishing is continued with the plane and draw knife and at this stage, the final weight and balance are adjusted. The bat is again pressed and rubbed with sandpaper. Binding is then put on the handle, and the maker’s name and grading are applied. A final burnish with a bone makes the bat ready for sale. // See: The Countryman, 49(2), Summer 1954, pp.363–65. The craft of the Cricket Back, by Helen Johnson.’, British Council ‘Exhibition of Rural Handicrafts from Great Britain’ Exhibition Catalogue, 1946, ‘Introductory Note’ – ‘This exhibition contains only examples of handicrafts that are still being practised in the British Countryside. It is confined to the work of our traditional craftsmen and women who, with very few exceptions, would not think of themselves as artists or designers but whose work, nevertheless, so greatly enriches the daily life of those who live with and use their products. The work of these craftsmen, too, provides the basis from which many artist-craftsmen gain technical knowledge and inspiration. // Included with these rural crafts are eight screens showing handicraft processes which can be undertaken by schools or adults who wish to practise a craft at home. In this way we hope these examples of Britain’s country crafts may be related to a practical aspect of present day life in the Dominions and meet the increasing need to find satisfying ways of using the leisure which machinery now makes available to us. // Along with her traditional rural crafts Great Britain seeks to employ all the resources of modern agricultural science and engineering. We have therefore included with this exhibition some photographs showing examples of recent developments in agricultural machinery.’, British Council ‘Exhibition of Rural Handicrafts from Great Britain’ Exhibition Catalogue, 1946, ‘Screen L. Making a Cricket Bat and Ball’, p.17 – ‘The Bat // English grown willow (Salex Alba) provides the best wood; willows grown elsewhere prove too brittle or heavy. When the trunks reach a circumference of about 50 inches they are felled in winter and sawn into lengths of 2 feet 4 inches. These are hand cleft into 10 or 12 segments. The segment is next sawn into a blade and stacked to season six months in the open, six months indoors, and then partly shaped with a draw knife. The face of the blade is then subjected to a pressure of 2 tons per square inch to harden it. The sides are also pressed and the V-shaped splice to take the handle is sawn out. // The handle is made from imported Sarawak cane. This is cut into the necessary lengths and planed square, 12 to 16 pieces of cane being glued into units of four called “slips” for each handle. In order to absorb shock three strips of rubber are glued between the slips. // The whole handle is now turned on a lathe to its round shape. The end of the handle is sawn to fit the blade exactly. Nothing but glue and a perfect fit hold the two parts of the bat together. The bat is then further finished by plane and drawknife and at this stage correct weight and balance are achieved. The bat is again pressed and rubbed with sandpaper. The handle is then bound and given its grade and maker’s mark. A final burnish with a bone on the blade makes the bat ready for use.’, British Council ‘Exhibition of Rural Handicrafts from Great Britain’ Exhibition Catalogue, 1946, p.17 – 'L.1. Piece of willow. // L.2. Piece of willow shaped. // L.3. The blade in preparation. // L.4. Two pieces of Sarawak cane. // L.5. Sarawak cane cut into “slips.” // L.6. Slips glued with rubber. // L.7. The handle turned. // L.8. The handle and blade joined. // L.9. Complete cricket bat. // Supplied by Gray Nicholls Ltd., Sussex.’, British Council Ref. No. NZ L1, L2, L3, L4, L5, L6, L7, L9.
Production place
Robertsbridge
Production date
1945 - 1946
Object name
Material
Associated subject
External document
- L:\MERL\Objects\JISC 2012\60 series negatives\60_4621.tif - High resolution image