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BIRD**, DICKIE with LODGE**, KEITH: : WHITE CAP AND BAILS: Adventures of a Much Travelled Umpire. [Co-Author,(DICKIE) SIGNED copy.]

LONDON.HODDER & STOUGHTON,1999.

ISBN 0340750871.

UK,8vo HB+dw/dj,SIGNED+dedicated,1st edn. FINE/FINE.No owner inscrptn but author SIGNED and dedicated: 'Joan, Dickie Bird',to title page and no price-clip to dw/dj.Bright,crisp,clean, glossy laminated, subject colour photographic illustrated dw/dj; with negligible shelf-wear and creasing to edges and corners - no nicks or tears present - almost as new.Top edge lightly dust-soiled and minimally foxed/spotted,fore-edge brighter and cleaner; contents bright,tight and near pristine - no dog-ear reading creases to any pages' corners - an unread copy? Clean, unblemished,plain dark green paper-covered boards with bright,crisp,blocked gilt letters to spine/backstrip with immaculate plain white ndeaperps.UK,8vo HB+dw/dj,SIGNED,1st edn,ix-xpp+4-470pp [paginated] includes introduction, double-page,b/w panoramic scenic County, University and National team's cricket grounds views by Bill Gregory - one for each of the 23 listed in the 23 chapters/ sections,16pp contemporary b/w photographs in 2 blocks of 8pp apiece,24pp contemporary colour photographs in 3 blocks of 8pp apiece,between pp86/7,pp150/1,and pp246/7,pp310/1,pp374/5 respectively,statistics section,and an index. In this sequel to his autobiography (see my book ID rja455413 - also SIGNED by him),Dickie takes a humorous,nostalgic look at the county clubs and the Test match arenas which have created such dramas in his life and provided him with so many friends. Prompted by reference to his astounding collection of memorabilia,'White Cap and Bails' has given Dickie the opportunity to reflect on the ambience of the great cricket grounds.He describes the very special behind-the-scenes characters who work as well as play for the clubs and provide the life-blood of the game.Dickie still has time to make challenging points about the future of the game and to give his opinion on the great players and matches,but all in all this is an infectious,anecdotal, roundabout ride through the world of cricket. Turning his attention,for instance,to Derby's Chesterfield ground with its beautiful lake, Dickie remembers Laurie Johnston.In a county match he was out first ball in the first innings,and out first ball in the second innings.As he made his lonely way back to the pavilion he was followed by a pair of ducks from the lake.Dickie first takes his readers round the county grounds before flying them off to the great clubs in Australia,New Zealand,the West Indies,South Africa and the other major cricket playing countries.He tells his hilarious stories in his unique style,and the end result is a total involvement in Dickie's wonderful world. Born in Barnsley in 1933,the son of a miner, Dickie Bird was signed up to play for Yorkshire at the age of nineteen.He played on the county circuit for the next thirteen years,six of them for Leicestershire,but it is as an umpire that he has become so well known.He umpired first-class cricket for thirty years and achieved every honour it is possible to achieve.In 1996 he was voted Yorkshireman of the Year.A qualified MCC advanced cricket coach,Dickie is an honorary life member of the MCC,Yorkshire CCC and Leicestshire CCC.He was awarded the MBE in 1986.The announcement that he would umpire his final Test at Lord's in June 1996, signalled the end of an international career which has won him worldwide affection as the finest umpire in cricket history. Please contact seller,because of the weight of this item - nearly 1Kg unpackaged,for correct shipping/ P+p quotes - particularly ALL overseas buyers - BEFORE ordering through the order page! N.B. ALL buyers please note,stocks' actual shipping/P+p costs are adjusted and any difference is refunded,after order's receipt and before the order's despatch,especially if the item(s) are offered either P+p included/FREE. ** N.B. US/Canada customers please be aware: Standard AIRMAIL postage from UK to these destinations can now cost more than the price of the book! If speed is not of the essence,then Economy rate is recommended - at approx. anything from a 1/3rd to 1/2 of the standard US AIR quote/rate - sometimes arriving sooner than the 42 days - but not always. **

UK,8vo HB+dw/dj,SIGNED+dedicated,1st.
'Joan, Dickie Bird'

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