25th Aug, 2026 10:00
The Collectors Auction – The 19th Century Sale
158
Regency Pugilism - A 'purse' presented to "Gentleman" John Jackson (1769-1845) for boxing before the Tsar Alexander of Russia etc in 1814
Sold for £1,000
Estimated at £200 - £300
Regency Pugilism - A 'purse' presented to "Gentleman" John Jackson (1769-1845) for boxing before the Tsar Alexander of Russia etc in 1814, A Regency 'long purse' of netted red silk with applied cut steel beadwork and steel slider rings. English, circa 1814. 30 cm long. Along with a hand-written paper label which was pinned within reading "This purse given to John Jackson, The Emperor of Pugilism, for sparring for the Emperor of Russia etc. June 1814". Note:- John Jackson was one of the most celebrated boxers of the Regency era. A founder member of the Pugilistic Club in May 1814, in June of that year he arranged sparring displays at Lord Lowther's house in Pall Mall as entertainent during the Visit of the Allied Sovereigns. Exhibited:- "Peace Breaks Out! London & Paris in the Summer of 1814" Sir John Soane's Museum, London, June-Sept 2014. "Boxiana: Hero's of the Ring", British Sporting Art Trust Galleries, Palace House, Newmarket, January-June 2017. Literature:- Sir John Soane's Museum 2014 Catalogue 3.19 (Illustrated)
Condition Report - Purse in fair condition for age. No obvious repairs to the knitted red silk. Some minor unraveling of the thread holding the cut steel beads towards one end. Minor tarnish to the polished steel rings. On close inspection the purse contains a Russian 2 Kopek 1814 copper coin. The label was originally pinned within the purse when photographed for exhibition by Sir John Soane's Museum in 2014 (see Catalogue image p.32 (attached)). This was removed to prevent further tearing when displayed at "Boxiana: Heroes of the Ring", BSAT in 2017. Provenance: From the vendor's 1814 Peace collection. Acquired within the trade in the early 2000's.
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