To say Phil Atkinson is a rugby expert is quite the understatement. He is the editor of Touchlines, the magazine of the Rugby Memorabilia Society, which he formerly chaired. He is president of Welsh rugby club Rhymney, for whom he played, and whose centenary history he wrote. He is also co-author of The King’s Cup 1919: Rugby’s First World Cup. And Atkinson is a lifelong collector of rugby memorabilia.
Simply put, Atkinson was the perfect choice to write Rugby Union Memorabilia: A History and Collector’s Guide, a recent offering from our friends at Amberley Publishing. This fascinating read is actually an amazing introduction to the field of rugby memorabilia, quite possibly the first of its kind. It is a field on the rise thanks to the meteoric rise of the sport all over the world. Nowhere has the game grown as much as North America and I think rugby memorabilia collections are going to be “the next big thing” here in the States.
The book has a ton of quality content, a true guide for collecting. I have to say that the photographs are the most compelling as I came across things I’ve never seen before. They help the reader through a journey in rugby history; it is an eye-opening experience for sure.
The book is helpful for those just starting a collection and those looking to expand and grow their current holdings. It is a resource in itself, sharing the history and values of various items. The author is even kind enough to include a list of organizations and collectors that readers can reach out to.
It is easily the definitive text on the subject, a book that will be remembered for starting the rugby memorabilia craze. It’s that good.
