Charles Burgess Fry Collection

The England Test cricket XI at Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, 1899. Artist: WA Rouch
The England Test cricket XI at Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, 1899. Englands team in WG Graces final Test, against Australia at Trent Bridge

Dr WG Grace, English cricketer, playing for London County Cricket Club, c1899. Artist: WA Rouch
Dr WG Grace, English cricketer, playing for London County Cricket Club, c1899. Regarded as possibly the greatest cricketer of all time

Dr WG Grace, English cricketer, playing for London County Cricket Club, c1899. Artist: WA Rouch
Dr WG Grace, English cricketer, playing for London County Cricket Club, c1899. Regarded as possibly the greatest cricketer of all time

Fred Tate, Sussex and England cricketer, c1899. Artist: Hawkins & Co
Fred Tate, Sussex and England cricketer, c1899. Fred Tate (1867-1943) was an off-spin bowler who played for Sussex from 1887 until 1905, taking a total of 1331 first-class wickets

Gentlemen XI for the fixture vs Players at Lords Cricket Ground, London, 1899. Artist: WA Rouch
Gentlemen XI for the fixture vs Players at Lords Cricket Ground, London, 1899. Gentlemen vs Players was an annual fixture between teams of amateurs (the Gentlemen) and professionals (the Players)

Oxford University cricket XI, c1899. Artist: Stearn
Oxford University cricket XI, c1899. A print from The Book of Cricket, a Gallery of Famous Players, edited by CB Fry, George Newnes Ltd, London, c1899

Mr HGP Owen, Essex cricketer, c1899. Artist: WA Rouch
Mr HGP Owen, Essex cricketer, c1899. Hugh Glendwr Palmer Owen (1859-1912) played for Cambridge University, Essex and the MCC in a career lasting from 1882 until 1902

Cambridge University cricket XI, c1899. Artist: Stearn
Cambridge University cricket XI, c1899. Gilbert Jessop, the captain of the side, is front centre. A print from The Book of Cricket, a Gallery of Famous Players, edited by CB Fry, George Newnes Ltd

Dr WG Grace, English cricketer, walking out to bat, c1899. Artist: WA Rouch
Dr WG Grace, English cricketer, walking out to bat, c1899. Regarded as possibly the greatest cricketer of all time, WG Grace (1848-1915)

The England Test cricket XI at Lords, London, 1899. Artist: Hawkins & Co
The England Test cricket XI at Lord s, London, 1899. The England team for the second Test of the 1899 Ashes series against Australia. The Australians won the match by 10 wickets

Lords Cricket Ground, the luncheon interval, London, c1899. Artist: RW Thomas
Lords Cricket Ground, the luncheon interval, London, c1899. Scene during the Oxford versus Cambridge University match. A print from The Book of Cricket, a Gallery of Famous Players, edited by CB Fry

Thomas Russell, Essex cricketer, c1899. Artist: WA Rouch
Thomas Russell, Essex cricketer, c1899. A wicketkeeper and right-handed batsman, Thomas Russell (1863-1927) played 170 matches for Essex and the MCC between 1894 and 1905

Mr COH Sewell, Gloucestershire cricketer, c1899. Artist: WA Rouch
Mr COH Sewell, Gloucestershire cricketer, c1899. Born in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, Cyril Otto Hudson Sewell (1874-1951) played 173 matches for Gloucestershire and the MCC between 1895 and 1919

Worcestershire County Cricket Club XI, c1899. Artist: Bennett
Worcestershire County Cricket Club XI, c1899. Worcestershire obtained first-class status and entered the County Championship for the first time in 1899, finishing twelth

Mr P Perrin, Essex cricketer, c1899. Artist: WA Rouch
Mr P Perrin, Essex cricketer, c1899. Percy Perrin (1876-1945) played for Essex from 1896 until 1928. He scored 66 centuries, the third highest total amongst players who never played Test cricket

South of England XI cricket team vs The Australians, c1899. Artist: Russell & Sons
South of England XI cricket team vs The Australians, c1899. Back row: VA Titchmarsh (umpire), Bill Brockwell, Charlie Townsend, Gilbert Jessop, Jack Mason, Jack Board, Bobby Abel

Mr A Cs Glover, Warwickshire, c1899. Artist: Hawkins & Co
Mr ACS Glover, Warwickshire cricketer, c1899. Alfred Charles Stirrup Glover (1872-1949) played for Warwickshire from 1895, when they were first admitted to the County Championship, until 1909

Robert Carpenter, Essex cricketer, c1899. Artist: Hawkins & Co
Robert Carpenter, Essex cricketer, c1899. A print from The Book of Cricket, a Gallery of Famous Players, edited by CB Fry, George Newnes Ltd, London, c1899

Mr PF Warner, Middlesex and England cricketer, c1899. Artist: WA Rouch
Mr PF Warner, Middlesex and England cricketer, c1899. A right-handed batsman, Pelham Plum Warner (1873-1963) played for Oxford University

Bill Storer, Derbyshire and England cricketer, c1899. Artist: WA Rouch
Bill Storer, Derbyshire and England cricketer, c1899. Bill Storer (1867-1912) was a wicketkeeper-batsman who played for Derbyshire from 1887 until 1905

Johnny Briggs, Lancashire and England cricketer, c1899. Artist: WA Rouch
Johnny Briggs, Lancashire and England cricketer, c1899. A left arm spin bowler, Johnny Briggs (1862-1902) played for Lancashire from 1879 until 1900

Cover of Frys Magazine, c1904-c1914. Illustration shows a man playing a tee shot. Editor CB Fry managed to be England football and cricket captain

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Charles Burgess Fry was a prominent figure in English cricket during the late 19th century. His talent and skill on the field made him an integral part of various cricket teams, including the England Test XI. In this captivating artwork by WA Rouch, we catch a glimpse of the Nottinghamshire match in 1899, where Fry stood alongside his teammates, ready to take on their opponents. Fry's passion for cricket was unmatched, evident from his association with renowned clubs like London County Cricket Club and Sussex. The painting by WA Rouch showcases Dr WG Grace, another legendary cricketer who played for London County Cricket Club during that time. Their presence together symbolizes the camaraderie shared among these sporting icons. Fred Tate, an exceptional cricketer hailing from Sussex and representing England as well, is also depicted in one of Hawkins & Co's artworks from 1899. This portrayal captures Tate's determination and focus while playing for his team – qualities that were undoubtedly present in Fry too. The Gentlemen XI versus Players fixture at Lords Cricket Ground was a significant event in 1899. WA Rouch beautifully illustrates this encounter between two formidable sides competing fiercely on the pitch, and is here that we witness Fry showcasing his skills alongside other talented players such as HGP Owen from Essex and Thomas Russell from Cambridge University. Speaking of universities brings us to Oxford University cricket XI and Cambridge University cricket XI – both captured brilliantly by Stearn in separate artworks dating back to 1899. These images reflect the importance of inter-university matches during that era when young talents like Fry honed their skills before making it big on international platforms. As we delve deeper into these artistic representations, we come across yet another masterpiece by WA Rouch featuring Dr WG Grace walking out to bat with confidence radiating off him. This depiction perfectly encapsulates not only Grace but also echoes Fry's unwavering self-belief whenever he stepped onto the field.