{"product_id":"vintage-stuart-surridge-extra-special-cricket-bat-patent-rapid-driver-wellington-c-1930s","title":"Vintage Stuart Surridge Extra Special Cricket Bat - Patent Rapid Driver - Wellington - C.1930s","description":"A wonderfully evocative early Stuart Surridge \u0026amp; Co. cricket bat, probably dating to around the late 1920s–1930s and made in London.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe face carries the firm’s twin Wellington horse trademarks together with “Extra Special”, “Stuart Surridge \u0026amp; Co Ltd”, “Patent Rapid Driver” and the Borough High Street, London address. The Rapid Driver was one of Surridge’s best-known early bat designs, and the firm was already advertising Rapid Driver bats at the beginning of the 20th century. The Extra Special grade also appears in period Surridge advertising during the 1920s.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe reverse retains its original circular “Care of a Cricket Bat” paper label with instructions for oiling and maintaining the blade. The old blue rubber grip is also substantially present, although now heavily aged and deteriorated.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA great piece of early English cricket history with particularly attractive original branding and patina. It displays extremely well and would make an excellent decorative piece for a study, games room, sporting collection or traditional interior.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGood antique condition with substantial signs of age and use. The blade has surface marks, scratches and knocks, with an old protective binding or taped repair around the lower section. The blue handle grip is heavily perished and split, and the original paper label to the reverse has wear and losses.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe Rapid Driver became one of Stuart Surridge’s signature products, and the company’s historic bats were used by leading players including W. G. Grace, K. S. Ranjitsinhji and C. B. Fry.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMeasures approximately 88 cm (34.6 in) long.","brand":"CIRCUS OF CURIOS","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56906185408898,"sku":"12-09-26-Y-15-S-BL","price":65.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0570\/1405\/9185\/files\/il_fullxfull.8560762143_2fve.jpg?v=1789216888","url":"https:\/\/circusofcurios.com\/products\/vintage-stuart-surridge-extra-special-cricket-bat-patent-rapid-driver-wellington-c-1930s","provider":"CIRCUS OF CURIOS","version":"1.0","type":"link"}