St Helen’s ArchivePreserving the past for the future

PH265

Photograph

Swansea RFC Community Interest Company

Chris Samuel

1890-1891

Photograph, B&W, mounted on photographer's branded card. John 'Jack' Samuel, Swansea and Wales. Photograph by H A Chapman 235 High St. Swansea. Dimensions: w4 1/4" x h6 1/2" (w10.88cm x h16.62cm).

This portrait of Swansea and Wales forward John, known as 'Jack' Samuel, was made by the famous Victorian photographic artist Henry Chapman in his Swansea studio at 235 High Street. Jack Samuel is wearing his Wales jersey and cap from 1891. Jack won one Welsh cap this year alongside his brother Swansea forward Dai Samuel. They played in the match against Ireland on 7th March 1891 at Stradey Park, Llanelli. Wales won the match 6 - 4, Jack's brother Dai scoring the Welsh try. Swansea's Billy Bancroft converted and dropped a wonderful goal from near half-way. There were six Swansea players in the Welsh team that day: Billy Bancroft at full-back, the brothers David and Evan James at half-back and forwards Tom Deacon and the Samuel brothers Jack and Dai. Jack Samuel was not reselected to play for Wales, though his brother Dai did win a Triple Crown Medal playing in the final match of 1893 v Ireland. The brother left the Swansea team and finished playing rugby altogether at the end of the 1892-93 season, Jack having made 79 appearances for the All Whites between 1889 and 1893. The brothers were also both capped by Glamorgan County in 1893. Although Jack Samuel won his Wales cap in 1891, this image dates from later. We can say this firstly because Jack looks older than the 24 years old he was in 1891. Also, the bespoke H A Chapman mount card indicates his business was patronised by "The King". As Queen Victoria died in 1901, this image dates from that year at the earliest. The photograph was kindly made available to scan by the Samuel family. A restored and coloured copy was made at the same time by the St Helen's Archive team.

john samuel, jack samuel, 1890-1891, 1890-91, wales, internationals, stradey park, ireland,