Early 19th Century Tom Molyneux Ceramic Figurine. Exceptional artifact located ourselves in the USA from a collector of note and may well be the earliest production piece of sports memorabilia in existence. It pictures International Boxing Hall of Famer Tom Molyneux, a Virginia slave who was reportedly given his freedom after winning a match on which his owner, Algernon Molyneux, had placed a large bet. In 1809, Molyneux sailed for England, and a year later faced British Champion Tom Cribb in a battle for the crown, a full century before Jack Johnson would become the first African-American to take the title.
Though Molyneux would ultimately be knocked unconscious by Cribb in the thirty-third round, he became an instant celebrity in Great Britain, spawning the fabulous relic we present here.
We can confirm that this approximately eight-inch tall figurine dates to the era of Molyneux' fame, please note there are no visible chips or breaks. Though his name is misspelled "Tom Molyeux" on the base, there is no question that the dark skinned gentleman in a fighting stance could only be the freed slave. Short of the occasional publication that mentions his name, this is almost surely the only contemporary and original artifact related to the life of Tom Molyneux. The figure bares no visible makers mark.
Whilst we have seen reproductions, we certainly have never seen another original. As such, this should be seen as a legitimately once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to take your fine pugilism collection to a place where none other could follow.
We understand that this figure first came to the visible market in 2006 selling for a then $800 and again in 2016 selling for an undisclosed figure.
This genuine collectors piece is now available at a heavily reduced price.
Condition report:
Excellent
Condition : Used
Manufacture Date : 1800s