1963

The big one - the 100th edition, and Norman Preston brought out all the stops for the centenary. The occasion warranted a new style of cover (for the limp edition) with a green flavour, and a change of style on the spine, which simply said "100th Edition, Wisden, 1963". But it also meant an inevitable raise in price to 22 shillings and sixpence. A portrait of John Wisden was included on the third page, and the number of pages, 1131, was the largest number to that point: the editor said, "We hope it will also be considered the best." Leslie Gutteridge, the noted bookseller, wrote a special article entitled "The history of Wisdens", and Sir Robert Menzies, the Australian prime minister, offered his thoughts on the game. Neville Cardus also picked his "Six Giants of the Wisden Century".
Editor Norman Preston
Pages 1131
Price 22 shillings and sixpence

Almanack essays

Notes by the Editor

Disappearance of the amateur, 1963