Wisden Cricketers' Almanack

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Wisden 1878 edition

Wisden Cricketers' Almanack (often referred to simply as Wisden or colloquially as "the Bible of Cricket") is a cricket reference book published annually in the United Kingdom. It is considered the world's most famous sports reference book.[1] The description "bible of cricket" was first used in the 1930s by Alec Waugh in a review for the London Mercury.[2] In October 2013, an all-time Test World XI was announced to mark the 150th anniversary of Wisden Cricketers' Almanack.[3][4][5][6]

In 2012, an Indian edition of Wisden Cricketers' Almanack was launched to widespread acclaim.[7]

History

Wisden was founded in 1864 by the English cricketer John Wisden (1826–84) as a competitor to Fred Lillywhite's The Guide to Cricketers.[8] Its annual publication has continued uninterrupted to the present day, making it the longest running sports annual in history. The sixth edition was the first published under its current title; the first five were published as The Cricketer's Almanack, with the apostrophe before the "s".

Charles Pardon, with George Kelly King, founded the Cricket Reporting Agency (CRA) in 1880. From Pardon's becoming editor of Wisden in 1887, the editor was nearly always a CRA partner and the CRA was responsible for the editorial production of the Almanack, until in 1965 it merged with the Press Association (PA).[9]

Wisden was acquired and published by Robert Maxwell's publishing conglomerate, Macdonald, in the 1970s. Cricket fan Sir Paul Getty bought the company, John Wisden & Co, in 1993[8] and in December 2008 it was sold to A&C Black, which is owned by Bloomsbury. The company presented the Wisden Trophy, for Test matches between England and West Indies, in 1963 to celebrate its 100th edition.

In 2013, a history of Wisden was published: The Little Wonder: The Remarkable History of Wisden, by Robert Winder (ISBN 978-1408136263). "The Little Wonder" was John Wisden's nickname.

Editions

Wisden is a small-paged but a very thick book (over 1,500 pages in modern editions) with a distinctive bright yellow cover that it has carried since the 75th edition in 1938. Prior to that, covers varied between yellow, buff and salmon pink. That edition was also the first to display the famous woodcut of two cricketers, by Eric Ravilious,[10] on its cover. It is published each April, just before the start of the English domestic cricket season. Since 2003 the woodcut has been replaced as the main feature of the front cover by a photograph of a current cricketer, but still appears albeit in a much reduced size.

It is produced in both hardcover and softcover versions. Since 2006, a larger format edition has been published on an experimental basis. This is said to be in response to requests from readers who find the print size of the standard edition hard to read. It is around twice the traditional size and was published in a limited edition of 5,000. It is not a large print book as such, as the print will still be of a size found in many standard books.

The format has changed markedly over the years. The first edition had only 112 pages yet found space to cover the dates of battles in the English Civil War, the winners of The Oaks and the rules of quoiting.

Contents

The contents of a contemporary edition include the following sections:

Comment

Around a hundred pages of articles on cricketing topics, including the introductory "Notes by the Editor", which address often controversial cricket issues and always provoke discussion in the cricketing world.

Awards

The traditional Wisden Cricketers of the Year awards, which date back to 1889, and the Wisden Leading Cricketer of the World award, started in 2004.

Records

Traditionally the main source for key statistics about the game, although it has never attempted to be comprehensive. Nowadays the records section is intended to be complementary to the much more detailed data available online at Wisden's associated website ESPNcricinfo.

English cricket

By far the largest section of the book. Hugely detailed coverage, including scorecards of every First class game played in the previous English summer, and summaries of minor counties, second eleven, university, school and premier club cricket.

Overseas cricket

Full coverage of all international cricket and brief coverage of domestic first class cricket outside England.

Law and Administration

This short section, 80 pages in the 2010 edition, has information about and addresses of official cricket bodies as well as the full laws of cricket, together with appendices. There are also details of meetings held by official bodies, including their major decisions, as well as articles about the Duckworth–Lewis method and Powerplays. The laws have been omitted from the most recent editions.

The Wisden Review

This section includes the Chronicle (noteworthy events from the previous year), reviews of other cricket books published in the year, noteworthy retirements and the highly regarded obituaries section among others.

The Almanack

This section contains fixtures for the forthcoming international and English domestic season, the international schedule for the upcoming seven years and the Index of Unusual Occurrences featuring quirky cricketing stories. A selection from recent years includes: Rabbit burns down pavilion; Hot-air balloons stop play; Cricketers arrested for dancing naked; Fine leg arrives by parachute; Fried calamari stopped play; Umpire locked in ground overnight..

Editors

Sydney Pardon; editor from 1891 to 1925

Wisden has had 17 editors in nearly 150 years of publication.

Booth's deputy, promoted to the role of co-editor, is Hugh Chevallier.[11]

Contributors

As would be expected from a publication of such size and longevity, Wisden has had a large number of contributors. The majority involve match reports for the various fixtures recorded each year, but also biographies, reviews and opinion. Practically all the great cricket writers have written for Wisden, along with many great cricketers. Neville Cardus contributed many notable essays and for many years John Arlott was responsible for the book reviews.

Five Cricketers of the Year

Since 1902 (with the occasional exception) Wisden has honoured five cricketers for their outstanding achievements over the previous year. Further details, with a full list of recipients of the award, can be found at Wisden Cricketers of the Year.

Indices and anthologies

At least two indices to Wisden have been published:

  • Index to Wisden, 1864–1943 by Rex Pogson (1944)
  • An Index to Wisden Cricketers' Almanack 1864-1984 by Derek Barnard (1985)

An index from 1985 onwards is available in pdf form on the Wisden web site.[12]

A number of anthologies of articles from Wisden have been published. These include:

  • Wisden Anthology by Benny Green (1979)
  • Wisden Book of Obituaries edited by Benny Green (1986)
  • The Wisden Papers of Neville Cardus (Wisden Papers) edited by Benny Green (1989)
  • The Wisden Papers edited by Benny Green (1990)
  • The Concise Wisden: An Illustrated Anthology of 125 Years edited by Benny Green (1990)
  • Wisden Anthology: 1864–1900 edited by Benny Green (1992)
  • Wisden Anthology: 1901–1939 edited by Benny Green (1992)
  • Wisden Anthology: 1940–1963 edited by Benny Green (1992)
  • Wisden Anthology: 1964–1982 edited by Benny Green (1992)
  • Endless Summer: 140 Years of Australian Cricket in Wisden edited by Gideon Haigh (2003)
  • The Wisden Collection: Volume 1 edited by Graeme Wright (2004)
  • The Wisden Collection: Volume 2 edited by Graeme Wright (2005)
  • Wisden at Lords: An Illustrated Anthology edited by Graeme Wright (2005)
  • Wisden Anthology: 1978–2006: Cricket's Age of Revolution edited by Stephen Moss (2006)

Style, design, graphical content and materials

For the first 32 years of its existence the Almanack was only published in softback form, in a paper cover that varied in colour through the years between shades of pink, yellow and buff. From the 33rd (1896) edition onwards hardback copies became available at twice the price of the softback.

In 1889 the Almanack published it's first photoplate, commissioned to accompany the Editor's nomination of six great Bowlers of the Year. From then on a photoplate appeared each year up to and including 1915. The plates were attached to an un-numbered page in the Almanack and had a tissue protector. They continued to show a number of selected players of the year except in 1896, when W G Grace was the only subject, and in 1913, when the 50th edition published no selections but celebrated John Wisden himself. After a two-year hiatus during World War 1 the plate reappeared in 1918, but as a mechanically printed image depicting five School Bowlers of the Year. The image in the 1919 edition continued to reflect wartime exigencies with its five Public School Cricketers of the Year before normal service resumed in 1920 with five Batsmen of the Year. From then on, with four exceptions (see Wisden Cricketers of the Year), the norm was to include an image of five Cricketers of the Year. It was not until 1938 that other photographs were introduced.

From 1933 to 1939 the softback editions of the Almanack contained a cricket bat bookmark attached by the blade to the inside of the spine with yellow string. The bat handle of the bookmark is easily lost and softbacks with entirely intact bookmarks command a price premium.

In 1938 the Almanack underwent some significant style, design and material changes under the supervision of Robert Henry Harling.[13] He introduced a new typeface and new designs for the front covers of both the softback and hardback editions. A yellow linen cover featuring the iconic woodcut by Eric Ravilious replaced the paper wrapper of the softback edition - a reason why softbacks from this time onwards are often referred to as "linens" even though they changed to a cloth-effect card binding in 1957. The design of the softback from 1938 onwards is probably the one most associated with the word "Wisden" in the mind of the general public.

There was a change to the orientation of the gilt lettering on the spines of hardbacks from 1941 to 1948. This was probably required by, and then a relict of, the slimness of the volumes published during World War 2. Excepting the 1963 centenary softback, the external appearance of both types of Almanack then remained substantially unchanged until 1965 when the hardback was issued with a dust jacket. This was printed on yellow paper with the same design as the softback, giving a uniformity of appearance to both editions.

Between 1965 and 1978 the woodcut and text elements of the softback covers and the hardback dust jackets were printed in a variety of colours before reverting to black on yellow from 1979 onwards. Since that time some other changes have occurred to the style, design and materials:

  • Between 1982 and 1984 the hardback dust jackets were printed on white paper
  • Colour photographs first appeared in the Almanack in 1988
  • From 1994 the hardback dust jackets were laminated, making them more resistant to wear and tear
  • In 2001 the layout of the front board of the hardback was changed
  • In 2003 a new style of photo dust jacket was introduced, although readers were informed that those who preferred the "traditional cover" could order one free from the publisher. This offer did not last: from the following year onwards a charge was made for providing these covers.

Minor changes of style have taken place throughout the Almanack's history, and are documented in a collector's guide that was updated and reprinted in 2011.[14]

Facsimile editions

Due to their rarity the early editions of Wisden, and editions published during the two World Wars, are expensive and difficult to come by. Fortunately for the cricket historian, or the collector who wants to fill gaps without spending large sums of money, every edition up to 1946 is also available in facsimile form.

The first facsimile set was printed by Billing & Sons in 1960. Approximately 150 softback copies were produced of each year from 1864 to 1878 and made available either as part of a set or as singles. The facsimiles are clearly marked with an entry in capital letters at the bottom of the title page: "Facsimile edition 1960 made and printed in Great Britain by Billing and Sons Ltd., Guildford and London".

Lowe and Brydone produced another print run of the first 15 years in 1974. The run was limited again to 150 softback sets. These facsimiles are marked with an entry in capital letters at the bottom of the title page: "Second facsimile edition made and printed in Great Britain by Lowe and Brydone (Printers) Limited".

In 1991 John Wisden & Co Ltd produced its own facsimile set in a distinctive yellow box. This again comprised editions from 1864 to 1878 inclusive and was limited to 1000 sets. The individual books are not strictly facsimiles, and cannot be mistaken for originals, because although they include a copy of the original covers they are hardbound in red boards with "WISDEN FACSIMILE" in gilt on the front and the set number - "No. X of 1000" - on the back. Internally there is also an entry to the effect that the editions are facsimiles at the bottom of each title page: "This facsimile edition is published in 1991 by John Wisden & Co. Ltd. and printed by The Eastern Press Ltd., Reading".

In recent years a more extensive range of facsimiles has been produced by the Willows Publishing Company Ltd. As of early 2014, softback and hardback editions up to and including 1946 have been published. Like the Wisden facsimile set, the Willows softback facsimiles up to 1937 are hardbound, in tan cloth with gilt embossing, but from 1938 onwards they are true facsimiles with yellow linen covers. The hardback editions are also true facsimiles, with dark brown covers upon which the original gilt embossing is reproduced. Internally all Willows editions are identified as reprints at the base of the title page and limited edition numbers, where applicable, are also marked on the binding or cover.[15]

It is worth noting that the first three facsimile sets reproduced the wrong back cover for the 1878 edition - it incorrectly showed a list of articles supplied by John Wisden & Co. The Willows facsimile contains the correct advertisement, for a book on Oxford and Cambridge cricket matches from 1827 to 1876.

To celebrate the 150th edition, a facsimile of the 1864 edition was produced by John Wisden & Co and offered as an incentive for those who subscribed to both the 2013 and 2014 editions.[16]

Collectors

Collecting Wisdens is a popular activity among cricket followers, and early editions command high prices. The first edition, only 112 pages long, sold for one shilling. Rare copies of the early editions can sell for thousands. The editions published during the two World Wars are also very rare: as a result of wartime paper restrictions a 1916 hardback is worth circa £6,000 and a 1941 around £1,500. In recent times, facsimiles of many of the early editions have been published; an example of a collection can be seen here.[17] Realised auction prices are published on the internet.[18]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Harry Potter publisher Bloomsbury bowled over to catch Wisden | Mail Online. Dailymail.co.uk (2008-12-05). Retrieved on 2011-06-21.
  2. ↑ Daily Telegraph, 6 April 2013, p S23, "Wisden by name, wisdom by nature" by Simon Briggs
  3. ↑ "Don Bradman, Shane Warne in Wisden's XI". theaustralian.com. 23 October 2013. Retrieved 23 October 2013. 
  4. ↑ "Sachin Tendulkar in Wisden's All-time World Test XI". NDTV. 23 October 2013. Retrieved 23 October 2013. 
  5. ↑ "Sachin Tendulkar named in Wisden all-time World Test XI". DNA India. 23 October 2013. Retrieved 23 October 2013. 
  6. ↑ "WG Grace and Shane Warne in Wisden all-time World Test XI". BBC.co.uk. 23 October 2013. Retrieved 23 October 2013. 
  7. ↑ "Wisden India Almanack 2013". Wisden India. December 29, 2012. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Engel, Matthew (April 5, 2013). "Words on the Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack". ft.com. Retrieved April 7, 2013. 
  9. ↑ Wisden Cricketers' Almanack, 1966 edition, pp vi–vii.
  10. ↑ Wisden Almanack | | ESPN Cricinfo. Content-www.cricinfo.com (1970-01-01). Retrieved on 2011-06-21.
  11. ↑ Wisden Cricketers' Almanack Announcement Retrieved 6 Jan 2011
  12. ↑ Wisden index 1985 to 2013 download page Retrieved 6 Feb 2014
  13. ↑ Obituaries. Wisden Cricketers' Almanack 2009 edition, p1605
  14. ↑ The Wisden Collector's Guide by Jonathan Rice and Andrew Renshaw. John Wisden 2011
  15. ↑ Willows Publishing Company Retrieved 6 Feb 2014
  16. ↑ Bloomsbury marketing leaflet Retrieved 6 Feb 2014
  17. ↑ "A Wisden Collection In Pictures". WISDENS.org. Jan 2006. Retrieved 2013-11-23. 
  18. ↑ "Wisden Valuations - Click Recent Values to see them". WISDENS.org. Nov 2013. Retrieved 2013-11-23. 

External links

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