Early photograph unearthed of cricket at Eton
A photo dated c1862 of cricketers at Eton is thought to be one of the oldest school cricket photos in existence
One of the earliest cricket photographs ever recorded - and perhaps the earliest schools cricket picture ever - has been discovered in a box of books and ephemera about Eton, the public school where the British prime minister, David Cameron, and a fair proportion of his cabinet, were former pupils.
The image has been dated c1862 and is signed on the mount by Victor Prout, who was best known for his portraits of the River Thames. It shows 11 schoolboys in trousers and waistcoats and such is its sense of languor it is not immediately clear whether the match is in progress or they are waiting for it to begin.
It is expected to raise in the region of £500 when it is put under the hammer by Dominic Winter Auctioneers in Cirencester. The earliest cricket photo of all is thought to precede this photo by about five years.
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