A signed manuscript letter from John Gully dated 11th July 1852, From an address in Brighton, correspondence with B Oliver Esq., hand written both sid
£300 - £500
A signed manuscript letter from John Gully dated 11th July 1852, From an address in Brighton, correspondence with B Oliver Esq., hand written both sides of a single sheet John Gully (21 August 1783 - 9 March 1863) was an English prize-fighter, horse racer and politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1832 to 1837. Gully was visited in prison by a friend, Henry Pearce. a well-known prize fighter who was nicknamed ''the Game Chicken''. An informal match was arranged between them, which took place in the prison; as a result, Gully's debts were settled. On 8 October, 1805, Gully was again matched against Pearce before the Duke of Clarence, later King William IV, and numerous other spectators. After fighting twenty eight rounds, which occupied an hour and seventeen minutes, he was beaten. In 1807, he twice fought Bob Gregson, the Lancashire giant, for two hundred guineas a side, winning on both occasions.