Extremely rare 1875 Silver cricket trophy – presented to Alfred Shaw (Burton Joyce, Nottinghamshire & England) for his bowling achievements in 1875. The large chalice shaped trophy hallmarked Birmingham 1875 features engraved bowl which reads “Presented to – ALFRED SHAW – Burton Joyce, Notts – for his unprecedented bowling 1875” and on the opposite side engraved wicket stumps and bails – mounted on the stem comprising a column made of 3x sets of stumps standing on a circular base c/w cricket balls together with cricket bat and ball handles – overall 9.5”h – wt 600gms (19 troy oz). Undoubtedly the trophy was awarded when he achieved his most outstanding bowling figures playing for Notts against v MCC whenhe returned bowling figures 41.2 overs, 36 maidens and taking seven wickets for only 7 runs. In the previous season playing for the MCC v The North at Lords he captured 10 wickets for only 73 runs. During his career he achieved 100 wickets in a season eight times and 200 wickets in 1878. Note: Alfred Shaw b.1842 – d.1907 was an eminent Victorian cricketer and rugby footballer. He was also joint promoter of four tours to Australia, bowled the first ball in Test cricket and was the first to take five wickets in a Test innings (5/35). He made two trips to North America and captained the English cricket team in four Test matches on the all-professional tour of Australia in 1881/82. He also organized the first British Isles rugby tour to Australasia in 1888. From 1898 to 1905 he umpired in first class matches and he was for many years a partner in the sports goods firm Shaw and Shrewsbury. He subsequently became a publican and died aged 64.