Antique Quest Chronicles: Uncovering Percy Baker’s Legacy at Ely’s Waterside Antiques

In this episode of Antique Quest Chronicles, join me on a thrilling journey to Ely’s Waterside Antiques, where I uncover a remarkable piece of history linked to the legendary English lawn bowls champion, Percy Baker. Discover how a seemingly ordinary find turned into a significant historical discovery, shedding light on the life of a great sportsman.

Prepare to be captivated as I reveal the exhilarating moment when two unassuming lawn bowls unveiled their hidden story, connecting me to a champion of the past. This is not just another antique hunt; it's a journey into the heart of history, filled with excitement, discovery, and a connection to a forgotten legacy.

Some antique collectors hunt for antiques to expand their collections. Others are driven by the profit from selling these items. My addiction lies in the satisfaction of finding significant pieces and uncovering the history behind them. When an item holds historical importance, my emotions intensify, feeding my passion for discovery.

At the moment when the history of an item reveals itself, I feel a rush of excitement and exhilaration. There’s a profound sense of discovery and accomplishment, knowing I’ve uncovered something rare or valuable. In that instant, a mix of emotions floods in— awe, pride, and sometimes even disbelief. I might feel a deep connection to history, imagining the stories and lives linked to the object. There’s also a sense of validation, as my skill, patience, and dedication have led me to this remarkable moment. It’s an experience filled with wonder and satisfaction, fueling my passion for the next hunt.

A Journey to Ely

In the previous episode of the Antique Quest Chronicles, I shared the story of discovering a rare navy compass with an intriguing historical background. In this episode, I’ll recount one of my most significant discoveries. Here’s the story.

At the beginning of January 2024, I took an early flight from Vienna to London Stansted Airport. From there, I boarded the CrossCountry train and set off on another antique adventure to the town of Ely.

Ely, a picturesque town in Cambridgeshire, England, is located about 14 miles north of Cambridge. Known for its stunning cathedral, Ely boasts a rich history dating back to medieval times. The town’s prosperity historically stemmed from its role as a religious center, with agriculture and river trade also playing key roles. Today, tourism and local markets contribute to its thriving economy, attracting visitors to its historic sites and charming countryside.

Ely is also home to Waterside Antiques, established in 1986 by Graham Peters and later inherited by his son, Tom Peters, in 2005. The center is one of the largest antiques centers in East Anglia, featuring over 80 dealers. It is housed in an old malting building from the 1760s, with a free parking space for 20 cars in front of the building. For my adventure that day, I chose this antique center.

I arrived at Waterside Antiques five minutes before opening hours. It was a cold January morning, and even before the official working hours, I was warmly invited inside and offered a cup of tea. After this welcoming start, I began to explore and take in the first impressions.

The ground-floor showroom was carefully curated. As usual, the jewelry cabinets were positioned close to the cash desk. Further into the room, I found furniture, pottery, art, antique instruments and tools, fabrics, watches, vintage board games, automobilia, and many more items, all meticulously displayed. Despite the variety, the atmosphere felt cozy and inviting. I decided to begin my hunt on the second floor.

An Unexpected Find

After a short search, I spotted a pile of wooden lawn bowling balls under a large table. Most were dark wooden colors, but two at the top of the pile stood out with their beautiful wood tones and a slight shine. They were also the only ones with their original leather bag. I thought they might make a striking decorative piece in a store display. After a thorough inspection to check for any damage, I found the balls and the leather bag to be in excellent condition. With limited time to research further, I purchased them as they were.

Later that evening, when I arrived at my hotel in Cambridge, my curiosity about those bowls had grown, and I began searching for information online. Initially, I was disappointed to find that there were hundreds of old lawn bowls for sale. However, I was encouraged when I realized that none looked exactly like the ones I had found. My excitement grew when I discovered a similar set of lawn bowls, also made of Lignum Vitae, listed for sale at €687. I began to suspect that I had stumbled upon something truly valuable.

Back in my hotel room, the low light made it difficult to inspect the lawn bowls closely. I could see and identify numbers and stamps embossed in the wood, but there was no visible maker’s mark. I decided to use my phone's flashlight to illuminate the surface, and to my amazement, hidden texts, marks, and stamps appeared. I had just uncovered a hidden treasure.

Unveiling Percy Baker’s Legacy

The pair of English lawn bowls I had found were made from Lignum Vitae, a dense hardwood native to the Caribbean and South America. They bore the maker’s mark of E.J. Riley, a British sporting goods company established in 1878 by Edward John Riley. Both balls were also stamped with two official marks from the International Bowling Board (BIB) - one from 1950 and the other from 1957. These BIB stamps are crucial, as they signify that the bowls were used in official international competitions, likely by a prominent player.

On one side of the bowls, a plastic cap featured the beautifully scripted initials “E.B.” My research on Wikipedia led me to a list of English male bowling players, where I found two individuals with those initials. The first, Edwin Bateman (1880-1963), did not match the timeline of the BIB stamps, so I ruled him out. The second player, Edwin “Percy” Baker (1895–1990), captained England from 1950 to 1960, perfectly aligning with the dates on the bowls. Eureka! I had found a pair of bowls that belonged to a great champion, used during his prime years. What a remarkable discovery!

Completing the Collection

Upon returning to Vienna, I decided to search for photographs of Percy Baker from that era. I found three: one stamped in August 1965 by The Daily Telegraph Picture Library, another marked by the Art Department of The Daily Telegraph on 19th August 1966, and a third with a Sunday Telegraph stamp dated 8th August 1965. Each photo was thoroughly described on the reverse side.

It seemed impossible that a champion like Percy Baker wouldn’t have had articles written about him in the newspapers of the time. My search through old English newspapers led me to a Sunday Telegraph issue from 18th January 1966, featuring an article about Percy Baker’s tour to Australia. I was fortunate enough to find a supplier selling original copies of this newspaper. With these additions, I completed a rare and valuable collection dedicated to a great British lawn bowls player.

Discover Percy Baker’s remarkable story

This collection could be worth €1500.

Learn more and make it yours today!

I began this journey with the intention of selling a pair of lawn bowls as store decorations, but I ended with a significant historical discovery. The emotions I felt during my research, the adrenaline rush with each new piece of information, and the excitement of the find are what drive me to continue. It’s not about the profit or the love of old objects, but the history woven behind each piece that gives me the strength and motivation to keep going. In that moment, I felt like Indiana Jones.

In the second part of my Ely journey, I’ll reveal more treasures I found at Waterside Antiques and share my overall experience there. Until then, stay tuned, and happy hunting!