Rare Boxing Picture Sells for £42,000

A rare painted record of a legendary boxing match that took place in Greta Green sold for £42,000 in Tennants Auctioneers’ British, European & Sporting Art Sale on 15^th November (all figures exclude buyer’s premium). Whilst the artist is unknown, the naïve-style painting depicts the fight that took place between Carter and Oliver on 4^th October 1816.

The fight between Carter and Oliver was arranged at Gretna Green, in a field used by Mr Johnson, inn keeper, on the estate of Sir James Maxwell. The stakes were a hefty 100 guineas each, and the contest took place in a 24-foot roped ring in front of approximately 30,000 spectators, leaving the streets around Carlisle empty. Going into the match, Oliver was the favourite to win. Carter was seconded by Painter and Harmer, and Oliver by Cribb and Copper, whose names are painted on the bottom of the frame. Despite rumours of Carter’s lack of prowess, he launched a decisive attack and won the first round. Carter went on to dominate Oliver. According to the York Herald published a few days after, the 31-round fight lasted 48 minutes, and was intensely punishing. Carter reportedly crushed Oliver at the ropes with both hands. After the bout, Oliver was apparently taken from the ring in dire condition—insensible and with both eyes swollen shut—though he eventually revived with medical aid. Carter walked away relatively unscathed and in good spirits and saw his stature as a boxer grow.

An imposing large-scale depiction of The Incredulity of St Thomas, thought to have been painted by a Follower of Philippe de Champaigne (1602-1674), a Baroque artist working in France, possibly after a now-lost original by the artist sold well, too at £8,500. The painting was sold on behalf of the Joint Administrators of Mount St. Mary’s College and Barlborough Hall School, the Catholic junior and senior schools in Derbyshire that closed earlier this year.

Further notable pictures in the sale included a charming work of two young children by Dorothea Sharp (1874-1955), which sold for £16,000. Selling well, too were “Sunset” Attributed to John Linnell (1792-1882), which sold for £5,200, and “Island of Eigg” by Sir David Young Cameron (1865-1945), which sol for £7,800. A number of good ornithological works by the renowned Archibald Thorburn (1860-1935) attracted high levels of interest, resulting in prices well above pre-sale estimates. The top lot by the artist was a beautifully rendered depiction of a Common Snipe, which sold for £4,800.

The British, European and Sporting Art Sale realised a total hammer price of £186,430 for 86 lots, and a 95% sold rate.

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