Wallace R. Hester [''WH''] (1866-1923) PORTRAIT OF ARTHUR FREDERICK BETTINSON, AMATEUR BOXER AND FOUNDER OF THE NATIONAL SPORTING CLUB signed with ini

Wallace R. Hester [''WH''] (1866-1923) PORTRAIT OF ARTHUR FREDERICK BETTINSON, AMATEUR BOXER AND FOUNDER OF THE NATIONAL SPORTING CLUB signed with initials WH, a pencil, black chalk and watercolour heightened in white, being an original artwork for a Vanity Fair print published 1911, 46.5 by 27cm., 18 1/4 by 10 1/2in., mounted, framed & glazed Arthur Frederick Bettinson, nicknamed ''Peggy'', was born in Marylebone, London, in 1862. He was crowned British lightweight boxing champion in 1882. In 1887 Bettinson opened the Pelican Club in Gerrard Street which quickly became an attractive entertainment venue for wealthy gentlemen intent on hard drinking and gambling. The club boasted the largest boxing hall in London and was the secen for many bouts by the most illustrious fighters of the day. The behavior of the club's patrons known as the ''Pelicans'' whose rowdy behavior would spill onto the local streets eventually led to its decline and bankruptcy when the Pelican Club's licence was rebuked. Not to be deterred, Bettinson set about opening a new club determined to have the finest respectable reputation as a sporting and entertainment venue. Together with business partner John Fleming, he founded the National Sporting Club on 5th March 1891 at 43 King Street, Covent Garden. The club boasted lavish and impressive décor, electric lighting and fine dining facilities which attracted a membership in the region of 1,300. Top boxers of the day who fought at the NSC included Joe Walcott, Tommy Ryan, Jimmy Wilde, Ted ''Kid'' Lewis, Georges Carpentier and Kid McCoy. The National Sporting Club and Bettinson in particular did much to formalise boxing as a properly organized professional sport and improved its reputation in many observer's minds from disdain to respectability. In 1909 it standardised divisions and weight limits before authorizing British title bouts and arranged for the presentation of the famous Lonsdale Belts, the solid gold championship prize belts donated by Lord Lonsdale who was the first President of the NSC. Bettinson continued for many years to be the sport's leading manager, match-maker, promoter and referee; as well as a writer and contributor In 1926 ''Peggy'' suffered a heart attack whilst travelling in continental Europe. He returned home but died in his Hampstead home on Christmas Eve and was buried at Highgate Cemetery at a well attended funeral service. Provenance: The John Franks Collection of original watercolours for Vanity Fair, Christie's South Kensington, 14th December 2005, lot 57.