Rare books on Indian cricket are expected to fetch lakhs of rupees each when they are put up for sale next month at London’s famous Christie’s auction house.

The books are all from the private library and art collection of the MCC, which hopes to raise at the equivalent of at least Rs two crores (£300,000) from the sale.

The Tribune has been given exclusive pre-sales access to some of the books. Most are copies of the originals, but the Indian books are all original. The most interesting and valuable is ‘Cricket Guide’, written by Mohummud Abdullah Khan and published in 1891 and published by the Royal Printing Press.

In his guide, Khan explains how easy it is to fight over the rules of the game. “Even those who are very good and noble turn so rash and inconsiderate at certain moments that their brains lose balance and begin to take fallacious fancies”, he writes. “Now will you guess the cause of all this confusion and perplexity ? Assuredly, it is nothing but utter ignorance of the rules and methods.”

Another Indian cricket book expected to attract widespread interest among Indian cricket lovers is in Gujarati, entitled, ‘Laws of cricket’, and was published in Surat in 1903. Its pre-sale estimate is put at £250-£350 (Rs 14,000-23,000).

A third book that could spark a bidders’ war, entitled ‘Indian cricket chronology’, is written by Ashley Cooper and was published in 1911. Only 30 copies were ever printed of what is described as the first history of Indian cricket.

Other MCC-origin memorabilia that are being put up for sale include a complete set of the Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack and the copy of a mid 18th century portrait, Young Cricketer, that has hung in the MCC’s Long Room.

It is understood that the MCC’s decision to authorise the overall sale came after the Arts and Library Committee started recording all 52,000 items in the club’s collection in anticipation of publishing a full catalogue to which MCC members would have online access. 

Mohummud Abdullah Khan's "Cricket Guide" (Lucknow, 1891). One of the earliest books to be published in India itself. First and only edition. Copy belonged to Ashley-Cooper who wrote "Indian Cricket Chronology"

Estimated value

£1,200-1,800 

A complete set of Wisden’s Cricketers’ Almanack, in continuous publication 1864-2010. The set is being sold in parts. Most of the volumes have been specially bound in green leather for the MCC.

Estimated value

£1,500-2,500 

A bat with multiple autographs (over 200) of 1899, a golden year. Carries over 200 signatures, including WG Grace, FR Spofforth, the great Australian fast bowler, and Kumar Shri Ranjitsinhi, the first (and for many the most romantic) Indian cricket star. It is very rare to have these great names combined.

Estimated value: £20,000-30,000