Just a single-sheet, giving the date of the match, the venue at The Oval, Kennington, and the line-ups of Preston North End and Wolverhampton Wanderers, the 1889 FA Cup final programme surpassed its £7000-1000 estimate, selling at £19,000 and setting a new record for a football programme.
1889 was an historic year for football - the football league was established at that time and Preston were dubbed "The Invincibles" after going unbeaten all season, a feat not repeated until Arsenal two years ago. Preston then thumped Wolves 3-0 in the Cup Final and became the first team to complete the Double.
The programme was in good condition considering its age, although it did have some foxing marks and a small tear.
The buyer was dealer Giles Lyon from Bodyline Books in Farnham, Surrey, who purchased it on behalf of a customer.
Invincible at £19,000...
“This was the earliest Cup Final programme I’ve ever seen,” said Graham Budd (15% buyer’s premium), referring to lot 747 in his sale on May 9-10 in association with Sotheby’s Olympia.