The Bird O’ Freedom   

Archie Mac | 9:18am GMT 01 December 2024

Published: 2024
Pages: 53
Author: Anderson, Nathan
Publisher: The Cricket Press Pty Ltd
Rating: 3.5 stars

Most, including this reviewer, would never have heard of the The Bird O’ Freedom newspaper. It was short lived in the 1890s and beset by controversy, with the Post Master General (PMG) of Australia finding it so objectionable he refused to allow the post office to deliver it to subscribers. This decision saw a running war of words with the editor and the PMG. Author, Nathan Anderson informs that the PMG met a sad end in later life, reduced to a penniless alcoholic, a far cry from his political career and power in the 1890s. 

To modern eyes, The Bird O’ Freedom was pretty tame, and in fact they don’t even publish words such as ‘damned’ instead just putting the first letter – ‘d****’. Anderson includes some of the more ‘provocative’ entries; however they are so inoffensive that you’d be happy to share them with modern day school children.

The author’s research indicates that the The Bird O’ Freedom was closely related to a number of newspapers prevalent in Sydney in the 1890s including one that is known by most cricket tragics in Australia – The Referee. It seems almost certain that legendary cricket writer and long-term editor of The Referee, J.C. Davis wrote the cricket content for The Bird O’ Freedom. Anderson provides short biographies of all the main contributors to The Bird O’ Freedom. These are well written and informative.

The main content of the book is a number of cricketing drawings and accompanying text, titled the Portrait Gallery of golden age cricketers, which appeared in The Bird O’ Freedom. Neither the artist nor writer of the pen pics is clear, however the writer may have been J.C. Davis. These are all marvellous and provide insight to how some of the prominent cricketing personalities of the time were perceived by the public. There are some well known golden age players featured including; Syd Gregory (and his father Ned), Frank Iredale, Jack Blackham and Clem Hill.

The most interesting player featured, as always, was the human headline, George Giffen. He not only has his own entry but receives other mentions throughout the pen pics. His demanding that his far inferior cricketing brother Walter be included on the 1893 trip, plus his rather combative personality are regularly alluded to. It’s unfortunate that The Bird O’ Freedom did not make it to the 1897/98 series, when Giffen refused to play in any of the home Ashes Tests. I am sure that would have added plenty of copy, and helped sell quite a few newspapers. Who knows, it may have even saved The Bird O’ Freedom from going into liquidation.

Apart from Giffen, the writer of the Portrait Gallery also appears to have a fascination with their subjects’ weight. In today’s society they would have been accused of ‘fat shaming’, but anyone that was avoirdupois is highlighted, seemingly without mercy. Apart from the weight of those featured the author avoids the modern fascination of stats, and hardly features any. Instead, a few match highlights and the men’s personality is the main focus. Thankfully, Anderson finishes the book with his own mini bios of all 26 subjects featured in the Portrait Gallery, which updates what happened in the remainder of their lives. 

The publishing of The Bird O’ Freedom, underlines why Ronald Cardwell and his publishing arm The Cricket Publishing Company are so important for cricket history lovers in both Australia and New Zealand. Without Cardwell, books like The Bird O’ Freedom would almost certainly never have seen the light of day. What a pity that would have been. This is a fascinating glimpse into cricket and life in general in the 1890s, and should be perused by all cricket lovers.