Rugby enthusiast appeals for memorabilia

Madam – Appeal for rugby memorabilia

I am a disabled rugby enthusiast and proprietor of my own private museum on original historical amateur 15 man code International, South African Provincial and South African Representative memorabilia from yesteryear.

Apart from former International and South African Provincial players from the amateur era, I appeal to readers who can help with much sought-after rugby memorabilia from yesteryear to contact me on 083 689-0896, or write to me at the address below. All letters will be answered, but please take note that I don’t tolerate any rogues and shysters.

I am urgently looking for the following original amateur 15 man code memorabilia which will no doubt add pride to my Museum:

International:

Annuals, books, brochures, embroidered badges, lapel badges, long sleeved match worn match worn numbered jerseys without sponsor’s logo and without striped sleeves with matching pairs of socks, magazines featuring Letters to the Editor columns, match day programmes, pennants, ties e.g. commemorative, full motif Rugby World Cup tournament featuring all participating countries, non-player’s, official player’s, touring and used match day tickets.

Northern Natal:

Embroidered badge

Hard cover book on the history of Northern Natal rugby if and whenever available

Lapel badge

Match day programmes and used tickets home and away:

v South African Provincial Sides:

Sport Pienaar Final: 1976 v South West Africa, Boland, Border, Eastern Free State, Eastern Province, Far North, Griquas, Lowveld, Natal, Northern Free State, Northern Transvaal, North Eastern Cape, North Western Cape, Orange Free State, Rhodesia B, South African Rugby Association, South African Rugby Football Federation, South Eastern Transvaal, South Western Districts, South West Africa, Stellaland, Transkei, Transvaal, Vaal Triangle, Western Province League, Western Province, Western Transvaal and Winelands.

v Tourists:

1982 v South America B, 1984 Combined Eastern Transvaal and Northern Natal v South America and 1994 v Uruguay Pennant.

If there are any former Northern Natal rugby players from the amateur era, who have swapped commemorative ties, lapel badges, match day programmes, programmes, match worn jerseys, pennants and player’s ties with their opponents, and willing to donate it to me display in my museum, they can contact me directly on my mobile.

Sadly, much to my anger and frustration thieves broke into my garden cottage and Rugby Museum. Apart from a vicious attempt to kill my male cockatiel and theft of personal belongings, they have also a fair amount of historical memorabilia of historical significance and sentimental value. Details of my museum, stolen memorabilia and wish lists are available on request.

To acquire this much sought after memorabilia took exactly 49 years of appointments, attending of matches, correspondence, meetings, negotiations, phone calls and visits.

I appeal to anybody who gets offered stolen items not only to establish the authenticity but also the origin thereof.

Van’s Rugby Museum,

P. O. Box 5122,

Pretoria,

0001.

E-mail: vansrugbymuseum@telkomsa.net

F. J. van der Vyver