Cann & Polkinghorne, Hand-coloured portraits (1826)

[WRESTLING]. Pair of Hand-Colored Portraits of Famous British Wrestlers who Faced Each Other in the Ring. Including: [CANN, Abraham, subject]. “The Wrestling Champion of England, Abraham Cann. Who challenges all the World for 100 Sovereigns…” [Exeter: Geo. Rowe, Aug. 10th, 1826]. Hand-colored full-length portrait of Cann in profile outdoors, with caption. 12 ¾ x 9”. Toned, lightly foxed, thumbsoiled, a few creases, some minor paper residue on left margin, some tape residue on verso. Very good. And: [POLKINGHORN, James, subject]. James Polkinhorn [sic], The Celebrated Cornish Wrestler, and Champion of the World.” [London: G. Tregear, Nov. 3rd 1827]. Hand-colored full-length portrait of Polkinghorn outdoors in a wrestling pose, with a document on the ground, with caption. 15 ¾ x 10”. Some toning, edgewear, soiling, creasing, tape residue on recto and verso, ink number at upper right corner on recto. Good. A charming pair of hand-colored portraits of these famous wrestlers, who faced each other in a notorious match on October 23, 1826 at Tamar Green. The two men were famous wrestlers, but had different wrestling styles – Cann, using the Devonshire style, consisting of vicious kicks (wearing hardened and weighted shoes), and Polinghorn, the Cornish champion, used bearhugs and wrestled without shoes. After a fierce match, the contest was declared a draw.
Sold at Auction in 2024.