Lot 40
40
D'OLIVEIRA, Basil (b. 1931) -- A collection of 33 a.l.s and t.l.s dated 27 August 1959 - 17 March 1961, relating to Basil D'Oliveira's struggle to play professional cricket in England, comprising 17 carbon copies of letters by John Arlott, 7 a.l.s. by D'Oliveira, 4 t.l.s. by John Kay of the Manchester Evening News and 5 other letters from various correspondents on the subject all to John Arlott. D'Oliveira's letters reveal his anxieties and his impatience for news about the Lancashire league: "I suppose you will be infuriated with me for writing yet another letter to you .... The cancellation of the West Indies Tour to South Africa has somewhat dampened my spirits. I would therefore once again try and appeal to you Mr. Arlott to see whether there is any hope of you assisting me"; one letter from Arlott to John Kay at the Manchester Evening News, dated 14 January 1960, reveals his strong views on the question of sport in South Africa: "I feel that if he could get an appointment here it might be a great thing for non-white sport in South Africa ... I think asking him over here might change the sporting -- and to some extent the political -- face of South Africa." In reply, John Kay promises support but is pessimistic about the outcome: "D'Oliveira lacks what the clubs term crowd-appeal .... Sorry, but that's the way its is." In his next letter of 15 January 1960, Kay suggests his own club, Middleton, but begs the question: "What has he done? ... How much does he want? Can you enlighten me on that latter point just in case." To this Arlott replies in a 3pp. letter of 18 January 1960: "I am satisfied beyond all doubt that for the sake of his race -- and the coloured people of South Africa -- his urge to come is not a financial one ... he would be the cheapest possible pro for you to have -- not because of lack of worth, but because the trip means more to him than the money." The letter goes on to give a detailed description of D'Oliveira's achievements, including his "80 centuries in 12 seasons." A 2pp. letter from Arlott to D'Oliveira, dated 26 January 1960, tells him the welcome news that Middleton have agreed to take him on, explains what is required of him, offers sound advice and discusses payment. D'Oliveira's 2pp. reply of 31 January 1960 states: "I have noted the contents and do appreciate the fact that it will be quite an up-hill battle to do well there ... There is so much at stake for non-white sport in South Africa that I am quite prepared to face anything." D'Oliveira's arrival at the club is described by Kay: "I got Basil to Middleton without mishap and he was bewitched, bothered and bewildered ... we had dined on the train -- a factor he could not get over especially as he was 'allowed' to eat and travel with white people." The correspondence concludes with a 2pp. letter by D'Oliveira, dated 14 Upper Bloem Street, Cape Town, 9 September 1960, describing his return home to cheering crowds after "a successful debut in the league ... the 'boers' were aghast that a darkie could get such an ovation ... this and the opening created now for our coloured cricketers is all due to your efforts for which I and all South African non-white cricketers will always be grateful." (33)

Details
D'OLIVEIRA, Basil (b. 1931) -- A collection of 33 a.l.s and t.l.s dated 27 August 1959 - 17 March 1961, relating to Basil D'Oliveira's struggle to play professional cricket in England, comprising 17 carbon copies of letters by John Arlott, 7 a.l.s. by D'Oliveira, 4 t.l.s. by John Kay of the Manchester Evening News and 5 other letters from various correspondents on the subject all to John Arlott. D'Oliveira's letters reveal his anxieties and his impatience for news about the Lancashire league: "I suppose you will be infuriated with me for writing yet another letter to you .... The cancellation of the West Indies Tour to South Africa has somewhat dampened my spirits. I would therefore once again try and appeal to you Mr. Arlott to see whether there is any hope of you assisting me"; one letter from Arlott to John Kay at the Manchester Evening News, dated 14 January 1960, reveals his strong views on the question of sport in South Africa: "I feel that if he could get an appointment here it might be a great thing for non-white sport in South Africa ... I think asking him over here might change the sporting -- and to some extent the political -- face of South Africa." In reply, John Kay promises support but is pessimistic about the outcome: "D'Oliveira lacks what the clubs term crowd-appeal .... Sorry, but that's the way its is." In his next letter of 15 January 1960, Kay suggests his own club, Middleton, but begs the question: "What has he done? ... How much does he want? Can you enlighten me on that latter point just in case." To this Arlott replies in a 3pp. letter of 18 January 1960: "I am satisfied beyond all doubt that for the sake of his race -- and the coloured people of South Africa -- his urge to come is not a financial one ... he would be the cheapest possible pro for you to have -- not because of lack of worth, but because the trip means more to him than the money." The letter goes on to give a detailed description of D'Oliveira's achievements, including his "80 centuries in 12 seasons." A 2pp. letter from Arlott to D'Oliveira, dated 26 January 1960, tells him the welcome news that Middleton have agreed to take him on, explains what is required of him, offers sound advice and discusses payment. D'Oliveira's 2pp. reply of 31 January 1960 states: "I have noted the contents and do appreciate the fact that it will be quite an up-hill battle to do well there ... There is so much at stake for non-white sport in South Africa that I am quite prepared to face anything." D'Oliveira's arrival at the club is described by Kay: "I got Basil to Middleton without mishap and he was bewitched, bothered and bewildered ... we had dined on the train -- a factor he could not get over especially as he was 'allowed' to eat and travel with white people." The correspondence concludes with a 2pp. letter by D'Oliveira, dated 14 Upper Bloem Street, Cape Town, 9 September 1960, describing his return home to cheering crowds after "a successful debut in the league ... the 'boers' were aghast that a darkie could get such an ovation ... this and the opening created now for our coloured cricketers is all due to your efforts for which I and all South African non-white cricketers will always be grateful."
(33)

Lot Essay

Mike Brearley in his orbituary of John Arlott in the 1992 Wisden states: "He regarded his part in bringing Basil D'Oliveira to England in 1960, to play in the Central Lancashire League, as one of the best things he did in his life."

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