Submitted by aarAdmin on Mon, 04/27/2015 - 08:00
A pair of horseshoes worn by the legendary Phar Lap sold for $24,400 (including buyer’s premium) at Mossgreen’s April 23 Sporting Memorabilia auction.
Originally belonging to Phar Lap’s strapper Tommy Woodcock, the shoes are mounted in a frame, complete with Woodcock’s photograph, which also carries a letter of authenticity from master farrier Dick Bell.
Another auction highlight was the 1888 Coloured Champion of the World Boxing trophy – a Victorian sterling silver two-handled embossed trophy cup – which changed hands for $31,720.
The cup is engraved with the words “Presented to Peter Jackson, Coloured, Champion Boxer of the World, at the Alhambra, Brighton, Eng, Monday Decr 2nd 1889, By a Few Admirers of His Sterling Qualities”.
Peter “Black Prince” Jackson was an Australian heavyweight boxer with a significant international career.
In 1886, he won the Australian heavyweight title by knocking our Tom Lee in the 30th round, and the British Commonwealth title against Jem Smith by a knockout in the second round.
Two years later, he defeated “Old Chocolate” Godfrey to gain the World Coloured Heavyweight Championship.
Another significant auction sale for $9760 was the Ashes related photo archive commemorating Australia’s defeat of England in the 1882 Test at the Oval – prompting the Sporting Times to publish its waggish ‘In Memoriam” notice the following morning:
“In affectionate remembrance of English Cricket, Which died at the Oval on 29th August, 1882, Deeply lamented by a large circle of sorrowing friends and acquaintances. R.I.P. N.B.: The body will be cremated and taken to Australia.”
