Sixth-plate collodion ambrotype on glass, housed beneath an oval sand-finish gilt brass mat and foliate-chased preserver, enclosed in a rare geometric thermoplastic Union case (Berg 3-61, "Star in Radiated Hexagon") lined with embossed crimson velvet. Ca. late 1850s. Plate measures approx. 2 3/4 x 3 1/4 in.; case measures approx. 3 1/4 x 3 3/4 in.

A sensational and extraordinarily scarce antebellum sporting image capturing an athletic bare-knuckle pugilist squared off in classic London Prize Ring stance.

The fighter is captured three-quarters full length, stripped to the waist to display a lean, muscular torso. He stands in a dynamic, aggressive fighting guard, knees slightly bent, his clenched fists raised high to protect his chin and ribs. His profile is turned sharply toward an unseen opponent with a stern, concentrated glare. He wears light-colored form-fitting athletic tights secured around the hips with a gathered silk pugilistic sash characteristic of championship prizefighting costume of the 1850s popularized by champions such as John C. Heenan and Tom Sayers.

Throughout the 1850s, bare-knuckle prizefighting was largely illegal, pushed underground to clandestine backrooms to evade municipal authorities. Hard-plate photographs capturing actual pugilists stripped down in legitimate ring uniform and fighting pose are practically nonexistent outside of a tiny handful of museum institutional collections.

The presentation is completed by an exceptionally scarce geometric thermoplastic Union case documented as Berg 3-61. The exterior covers feature a central star within a diaper-textured hexagon, surrounded by dramatic sunburst radiating rays and an engine-turned diamond-patterned border. 

[Ambrotype, Sixth Plate, Bare Knuckle Boxing, Boxer, Pugilist, Prizefighting, Early American Sports, London Prize Ring Rules, John C. Heenan, Tom Sayers, Pugilism, Athletic Tights, Thermoplastic Case, Union Case, Berg 3-61, Geometric Case, Cased Image, 1850s Photography]

Good condition. The plate retains excellent contrast and dramatic tones. The image surface displays scattered cosmetic spots, light background dusting, and faint plate wipes.