Wrestling poster (1835)
A modern replica (1996) of a poster believed to be original. The printers were listed as Nicholls & Peowrie, confirmed to be active between 1835-1836. This is currently in the private collection of Matthew Bennett-Nichols, and provided here with express written permission.
The poster reads:
Devon Wrestling
AND SINGLE STICK,
May 5th, 6th and 7th, 1835,
AT THE
MONMOUTH ARMS,
Singleton Street,
East Road, City Road,
NEAR THE TURNPIKE.[Central illustration: Two wrestlers engaged in a bout, grasping one another by the jacket. A hat and papers are visible on the ground to the left; what appears to be a rolled document or prize to the right. The wrestler on the left bears a striking resemblance to Abraham Cann, featured with his signature Top Hat. He’s wearing skillibegs (‘shin-pads’), and shoes. The paper from the hat shows the 3 gates of the city of Exeter. The wrestler on the right bears a strikinig resemblance to James Polkinghorne, who stands bare-footed. The paper behind him shows the logo of the Duchy of Cornwall.]
UNDER THE PATRONAGE OF THE NOBILITY OF DEVONSHIRE.
On Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, next,
A GRAND MATCH OF
Wrestling and Single Stick,
WILL BE PLAYED IN THE ABOVE COMMODIOUS GROUNDS.The following First-Rate Players with others from the Country will attend
MAUNDER, JUN.
CHAMPION OF THE LONDON RING
BASTIN, TIMMINS, W. COOK, PALMER, WREN, R. COOK, SNELL, ELLECOMBE, RADFORD.
THE PLAY TO COMMENCE AT ONE O’CLOCK EACH DAY.
We are authorised to state that, Bastin and Palmer, will NOT play at the Wenlock Arms, but will contend for the Prizes at the Monmouth Arms, as stated above.
Good Wines and Spirits and a cold Collation each Day. A BAND OF MUSIC WILL ATTEND
WAC © MCMXCVI Nicholls and Peowrie, Printers, 2, Milton-street, Finsbury MADE IN ENGLAND
Notes: This poster is a reproduction (© 1996, as indicated by the MCMXCVI copyright mark), printed by Nicholls and Peowrie, of Milton Street, Finsbury. This printer appears to have been active between 1835-1836, providing a narrow window for this production.
The original event advertised took place over three days — 5th, 6th, and 7th May 1835 — at the Monmouth Arms, Singleton Street, East Road, City Road, London.
A match report from the period confirms the adjacent (Wenlock Arms) event:
Morning Advertiser, Monday 25 May 1835
WRESTLING AND SINGLE STICK. — The annual display of Wrestling and Single Stick, at the Wenlock Arms, City-road, commenced on Monday, and concluded on Thursday night. The majority of the first rate players of the day contended, and the grounds were on each day crowded with spectators. On Tuesday the best play was between Dyer, sen., Palmer, of Somerset, Dyer, jun., and Palmer, of Devon. Simon Stone on this day broke two heads at single stick, and with Blackford, Rood, and Stewer, ranked among the double players. On Wednesday evening twenty double players had been made at Wrestling, and at six o’clock Stacey sent a challenge to Simon Stone in the name of Wilson, which was made for 12l. Stacey entered the ring with his face painted, and attired in the dress of one of the Swiss Brothers, but was soon recognized. He was desired to clean his face, but would not. They played about ten minutes, when Simon caught it over the head, and Stacey lightly on the nose. Simon’s face streamed with blood, and it was also decided at the time that Stacey had some blood on his proboscis; but on cleaning his face it appeared that it was only the red paint. A dispute arose, and Peter Crawley has the stakes in hand undecided. The men were to meet again yesterday, at the Coach & Horses, Ilford, for an increased stake. Thursday Simon broke the head of Blackford and Rood, & got the first prize. Blackford became entitled to the second, and Rood the third. The Wrestling on this day was excellent. Dyer, jun., and Palmer, of Devon, played twenty minutes, when the latter gave in; Emery and Cook were also a long time in the ring, when Emery was thrown a beautiful fall with the Cornish heave. Dyer and Archer were an hour together. Both are fine young men, but Dyer is decidedly superior both in weight and strength; and Archer was at length thrown in his own crook by being pulled under, which is rather a fancy move of Dyer’s. After some further play, Dyer, sen. received 16l., the first prize; S. Cocks, the second prize of 6l.; and Dyer, jun. and Stacey, the remaining prizes. Every double player received five shillings. On each day the four Swiss Brothers went through their performances, and a display of fireworks concluded the sports.
The wrestling and single-stick at the Monmouth Arms, East-road, City, dis-concluded on Wednesday, after one of the most manly and interesting displays ever witnessed in the London Ring. It is but justice to state in a manner to entitle them to the applause which they received. Such was the superiority of the men, that J. Webber and J. Maunder remained in the ring for upwards of an hour, without the apparent chance of either being thrown, as did also James Maunder, Champion of the London Ring, and William Maunder. At length, by the unanimous request of the bystanders, it was deemed advisable to divide the prizes between the four, it being impossible to ascertain who was likely to prove the best man. The whole of the sports gave general satisfaction.
The winner of the prize for men under eleven stone, at Chalk Farm, last week, was Wm. Westgarth, jun., of Gourbleshy, Cumberland, and a Life Guardsman. He is prepared to wrestle any man in London, of his own weight, for £10. His money will be ready at the Cock and Crown, Little Britain, on Saturday next.
