£350
PRIZE FIGHTING. AN EXTRAORDINARY VICTORIAN CARVED AND POLYCHROME PAINTED WOOD WALKING CANE, NOTTINGHAM, LATE 19TH C the handle as the head of the boxer Bendigo, the faux bamboo shaft with silvered ferrule, 83cm
Provenance: Ishmael Walter Wilson (1897-1967), printer of Mount Street, Nottingham
The boxer William Abednego Thompson (1811-1880) was born in harsh circumstances in a hovel in what is now Trinity Walk, Nottingham. Raised in a workhouse, he fought for money. By 1839 he had risen to become the heavyweight champion of England. In the boxing ring he possessed great agility but was plagued by an inner demon - drink. He seems to have overcome alcoholism in his final years and when he turned to religion his preaching attracted huge crowds, curious at his profound transformation.
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, creator of Sherlock Holmes, was moved to write a poem in Bendigo's honour, giving him the sobriquet "The Pride of Nottingham"
Paint chipped and worn in places but in good unrestored original condition, complete, not split, cracked, significantly chipped. No repair or restoration (handle). The shaft also in good condition with to minor longitudinal shrinkage cracks and having lost the metal tip from the end and now rather worn and scratched
Fees apply to the hammer price:
Room and Absentee Bids:
24% inc VAT*
Online and Autobids:
25.8% inc VAT*
