John Carmel Heenan and Tom Sayers
Heenan (1835-1873) was born in New York and Sayers (1826-1865) was born in Pimlico London. Both were accomplished knuckle fighters. They fought on 17th April 1860 at Farnborough, England, attended by over 12000 people. Sayers was a middleweight and at 10 stone 10 pounds (150 pounds) and 5 feet 8 inches, was nearly 3 stone (42 pounds) lighter and 6 inches shorter than Heenan. Even with this disadvantage Sayers fought well, but dislocated his right arm in the fourth round and so continued the next 33 rounds only using his left.
With good footwork and a great deal of courage, Sayers saw through the 37 rounds lasting over two hours, earning a very deserving draw. After the match, Sayers refused Heenan’s challenge of a rematch and went into retirement.
More Figures of the month
Ralph and Kate Nickleby
This is a very rare and fine pair of Staffordshire figures representing figures from Charles Dickens’ novel “Nicholas Nickleby”, published approximately 1838-39.
Sir William John Codrington
This is a rare figure of Sir William John Codrington. He was a British army officer who eventually became a general and then Commander in Chief of British forces in the Crimean War.
Tam O’Shanter and Souter Johnny
This is a rare pair of early figures of Tam O’Shanter and Souter Johnny, characters in the Robert Burns play “Tam O’Shanter”, written in 1790.
A pair of giraffes
This is a fine pair of Staffordshire giraffes, seated below palm trees, each approximately 5 ½” tall. These figures are very rare, dating to approximately 1850.
Old Age
This is a fine pair of early Staffordshire figures portraying “Old Age”. They stand about 8 ¾” tall and date to about 1820.
A pair of pointers
This is a rare pair of Staffordshire foxhounds, pointers, or game dogs. Whatever one decides to call them, they are an unusual and very fine pair.
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