Pierce Egan Partial Letter and Illustration

Pierce Egan (1772-1849) was an English author and sports journalist.  He is considered the father of boxing historians.  Egan's most famous books include his series Boxiana and the popular book Life in London. 

Robert Cruikshank (1792-1878) was an etcher and illustrator.  He and his brother George were famous for illustrating Charles Dickens’ books, such as Oliver Twist, and illustrated some Pierce Egan's books.

This letter was written by Pierce Egan regarding an essay he wrote called, " The Fancy on the Road to Moulsey Hurst".  Egan wanted Cruikshank to illustrate the scene he desribes at Moulsey Hurst*.  This letter speaks of the stances, attire and actions of the attendees and participants of the fight.  Presumably this letter was written around 1817-1819, as the essay and illustration was published in 1819.  This is an autographed partial letter unsigned from Egan on the subject of Boxing.  The bottom part of the page shows a drawing by Egan, by way of suggesting how he wants the illustration to be done.  Egan writes:

The awkward sketch below will then show how the characters should be disposed. The jackets of the men are loose and tied with strings-- a (byone?) of a cock is on the back.  The legs are carpeted-- and the man with the belt or paper who judges the sport is allowed to walk near the men. There are booths as at a fight or a race --and the ring is roped in.  But the essay I think describes all (minutes?). There is a bench for the wrestlers to sit on as I have placed it. I wish my lines may give Mr. Cruikshank a notion of the thing, as he will give it life. Perhaps one man might have his back more towards us, by which the (byone?) of the cock might be shown, and I think they ought to stoop more, and to keep their legs more guardedly from each other. The attitude I wished to stress was that of the men having the firm hold, and maneuvering to get the other hand fixed.      -Followed by the illustration above-

*Moulsey Hurst was a famous outdoor prize fighting area outside London and was similar to what MSG is now back in the early 1800's.

$5,000.00

Included will be this partial letter, other contextual Cruikshank letters from the Cruikshank Estate, translations, original reciepts and other literature pertaining to the letter.  All presented in a acid free folder. 

Please see Pierce Egan Books below, including Boxiana.