Comments j mcbride ([email protected]) 01/22/2013 16:48 Dear Sir
I wish to alert you to the proposed sale of a very rare Lonsdale Cup, belonging to Spider Kelly Snr by Bonhams of Chester.
I can advise that the Cup has now been placed within the upcoming Bonhams Sporting Memorabilia event, on 20th February 2013. This has been done with much regret by the vendor, who would very much like to see the Cup retained locally and not lost to the Island or Province by entering a private collection in the United Kingdom mainland.
The item is listed as Lot. 12 and can be viewed at the following link - http://www.bonhams.com/auctions/21119/lot/12/?page_anchor=MR1_page_lots%3D2%26r1%3D10%26m1%3D1
This unique and irreplaceable piece of not just local, but world boxing history, has been held in private hands for approximately 50 years and given the expected interest in the item, it is, once sold, likely to return to a private collection for another lifetime.
I have some pictures of Spider, at the weight in prior to the fight, and one which shows the cup with a proud Spider, sporting his belt and cup and please advise if you wish to see these. The first Irish Man to win the Titles, young Spider, his son, holding the same titles at different times.
Given Ulster's long, proud and successful sporting achievements, boxing arguably being the one that put the Island on the map many many times over the years, both professionally, and in the amateur arena with Olympic success, I believe this is an important opportunity for one lucky individual to aquire a rare and historic boxing Trophy to preserve it for generations to come and to permanantly retain it within Ireland.