Collectors' Guide

Please do not take any of the following as cast in stone, as with all of my website it is merely my opinion.

Most people who will visit my site will have some kind of Wisden collection, some indeed may just be starting out and some may be looking for a Wisden as a gift. It may be of help to list the various types/formats that Wisdens are available in.

Hardback

The first Wisden Hardback was published in 1896, covering the 1895 season. Hardbacks have been published every year since. From 1896 to 1964 inclusive the Hardback had no cover, then breaking with tradition, in 1965 Wisden introduced a detachable yellow Dust Wrapper to cover the hard boards. Traditionalists decided that this Dust Wrapper (DW) was superfluous and therefore many were removed and thrown away. This makes a 1965 with an original DW in very good condition sought after. Wisden still produce the hardback with a detachable yellow DW to this day.

The DW was actually printed in colour and from 1965 to 1978 the colour of the lettering was changed each year. In the early 1990s Wisden took an interesting step and reprinted (in black and white) Wisden Replacement Dust Wrappers covering the 1965 to 1991 years. These all have the words “Replacement Dust Cover” at the top of the spine and are in black & white. Be aware of any post 1965 Wisden advertised with something akin to the following: Non-Original Dust Jacket/Wrapper, Unofficial Wisden DW/Jacket. Photocopied DW....these are photocopies of the original colour DWs.

Large Format

In 2006 Wisden produced a Large Format edition, without being rude or disparaging this offers people larger text to read.

Leather Bound Editions

These limited editions started in 1995 and have been produced for each edition of the Almanack since then. Leatherbound editions are produced to the same high quality specifications each year. Each copy is fully bound in brown Morocco leather, extra gilt finished with gold lettering and all edges gilt. In addition, each copy is imprinted with its allocated number, signed by the editor and housed in a slip case. The first five numbered copies of each edition are always presented to that year’s five Cricketers of the Year. Since 1995, the first edition was limited to 100 copies, subsequent years 150.

Paperback

The first ever Wisden was published in 1864, paperback editions ran until 1937. The front and back covers and spine were on slightly thicker paper and in 1938...

Soft back

...the paper covers and spine were replaced by a “linen cloth” material which sounds rather odd, but this gave extra protection to the contents and to this day offers a sturdier covering.

Paperbacks/Soft backs

In 1933 and up until and including 1939 a Bat Bookmark was attached to the spine of firstly the paperback edition and latterly the soft back.

Rebinds in general

A rebind is essentially a Wisden that has had the original covers (mostly paperback and soft back covers, very rarely hardback covers) removed more than likely because they are falling apart but in some cases for aesthetic reasons and replaced with new hard board covers. Prior to 1938 one of the most common problems with paperback Wisdens was the ageing of the spine, a rebind protects the contents.

Rebinds with Original Covers
Any Wisden that has been rebound may have the original front and back covers within, usually the original Wisden is encapsulated within new boards and the original covers remain.

Rebinds with One or both Covers missing
This is quite common with Wisdens that have been rebound. An original front or back cover may have been damaged and discarded, so when opening this type of rebound the first authentic page could be an advertisement or even the internal Year/Publication details.

Facsimilie Covers or Spines
Another option for Wisden collectors is to have the old editions not rebound, but repaired. There are a few exceptional repairers in the country who (thankfully) treat Wisdens with respect and can reproduce the original covers and spines. These do look good and can be a good way of protecting a collection.

WISDEN 1864-78 Box Set
Wisden produced a limited set of individual reprints for the 1864 to 1878 years. These are in a yellow branded box and each year is individually titled.

Willows
Wisden reprints are available from 1879 and these are called Willows editions. Willows have reproduced all editions from1879 through to 1930 and again from 1940-1945. There are two formats. Willows reprinted the original paperback in light branded boards and they have also reprinted the hardback editions in darker boards. The aim, I understand, is to reprint all editions up to 1945.

Billings
In 1960  a reprint of the first 15 Wisdens was produced by a company called Billings & Son. In 1974 another reprint was produced by Lowe & Brydon. These are often found and sold as individual years. Since Wisden produced the 1864-78 reprints Billings are not in as much demand.

Just Arrived!

Special Offer

Just Arrived!

Free Delivery