A long lost Welsh international jersey worn by one of the leading stars of the 1950s, plus some great Scottish rugby treasures, will all go under the hammer at a Cardiff Auction House on Thursday 5 March.
Hawick RFC, one of the oldest and best known clubs north of the border, decided they would sell some of their historical items to help raise cash for future projects at the club.
So, they picked out rugby specialists Rogers Jones Auctioneers to conduct the sale.
The global reputation built up by Rogers Jones in setting world records from previous sales is indisputable.
All Blacks legend Dave Gallaher’s 1905 jersey went for £190,000) and Sir Gareth Edwards’ 1973 Barbarians jersey, from the win over New Zealand, was sold for £250,000.
That pedigree helped them to beat off opposition from rival auction houses in Scotland.
“The Clubhouse auction reads like a history of rugby itself, and each item tells a story of the sport’s legacy and international prominence,” said Ben Rogers Jones, auctioneer, valuer and partner at Rogers Jones Auctioneers.
“There are shirts and caps on offer that belonged to some of the game’s greatest players of their time.
“The auction presents a rare opportunity for collectors and rugby supporters to own a piece of global sporting heritage.
“The collection highlights the local roots of many legends, like double British & Irish Lions tourist Hugh McLeod, who left their mark on national and international stages.”
As well as caps dating back to the 19th century and jerseys from the Fifties, both played in and swapped by McLeod, there is also a Welsh jersey that was worn by Rees Stephens against the Scots at Murrayfield in 1955.
Stephens followed in the footsteps of his father, Glyn (10 caps – 1912-1919), in both playing for and captaining Wales.
Glyn went on to become president of the Welsh Rugby Union.
Rees Stephens set a record for a Welsh forward by winning 32 caps (1947-1957) in an international career that spanned 11 seasons.
He was a Grand Slammer in 1952, a Championship winner in 1956 and twice in a side that shared the Five Nations title (1948, 1954).
He was also in the last Welsh team to beat New Zealand in 1953.
He captained his country five times and also won two caps for the British & Irish Lions on the 1950 tour to New Zealand and Australia.
He played against Scotland seven times in the Five Nations, winning four times and losing three.
The jersey up for auction is from the 14-8 defeat – the only game against the Scots in which Stephens wore the No 14.
Listed at an estimate of between £500-1,200, it had already received an online bid of £750 before the day of the auction.
Also up for grabs are jerseys worn by French full back Serge Blanco, New Zealand hard man Kevin Skinner, giant Springbok prop Chris Koch, Wallabies star Sir Nick Shehadie and England and Lions scrum half, Dickie Jeeps.
The ‘Clubhouse Auction’ starts at 10.00am on Thursday and lots can be viewed and bid for online at Rogers Jones & Co | The Club House.
