1888 Ornate Boxing Belt Presented to Charley Mitchell after Fighting John L. Sullivan at the Baron Rothschild’s chateau at Chantilly, France – is expected to sell for $30,000 as part of Heritage Auctions’ Platinum Night Sports Auction , held July 30, 2015 in conjunction with the 2015 National Sports Collectors Convention in Chicago.
Charley Mitchell’s 1888 Boxing Belt at Heritage Auctions
The belt is crafted from British sterling and red velvet and sports portraits of Mitchell and Sullivan in relief framing a center plate that reads “Presented to Charles Mitchell to Commemorate His Gallant Fight with John L. Sullivan for the Championship of the World on March 10th 1888 near Paris Resulting in a Draw, 39 Rounds being Fought, in 3 Hours 11 Minutes.” British and American flags topped by a figural lion and eagle accent the belt’s 44-inch length and two interior plates are engraved with the names of the gentlemen who funded this quite clearly expensive token of esteem.
Charley Mitchell’s 1888 Boxing Belt at Heritage Auctions
The 12-pound belt spent much of its life in the private collection of Nat Fleischer, founder of “The Ring” magazine after it was previously sold to raise funds for wounded World War I veterans.
Charley Mitchell’s 1888 Boxing Belt at Heritage Auctions
