Tipton Slasher painting sells at auction
A painting believed to depict a famous Black Country boxer has sold for almost 10 times its auction estimate.
Bare-knuckle boxer William Perry, better known for his 'The Tipton Slasher' nickname, is seen fighting in the piece.
The item, which is believed to show him facing off against Tom Sayers, was estimated to fetch £250 at an auction in Birmingham.
But it eventually sold at Fellows auctioneers for £2,400 to an unknown online bidder.
The boxing pair were, at one stage during the 1850s, heavyweight champions of England.
They fought in a Championship fight on the Isle of Grain in 1857 – with Sayers, from Brighton, winning.
The oil canvas was brought to the auctioneers by a family who had owned it for more than 100 years.
Kevin Jackson, auctioneer and senior specialist from the antiques and fine art department, said: "Our first antiques auction of 2020 served up a treat with the sale of this detailed oil painting amongst many other fascinating items.
"The painting is believed to depict two historic bare knuckle fighters who were hugely popular at the time, so I was fully prepared for there to be a lot of interest.
"Both of these fighters were champions of their time and it’s always a privilege to sell something with such fascinating history."
