A pewter pint tankard presented by the Victorian bare knuckle boxer William Benjamin, inscribed PRESENTED TO C. & E. KEMP, BY WILLIAM BENJAMIN, OPPON

A pewter pint tankard presented by the Victorian bare knuckle boxer William Benjamin, inscribed PRESENTED TO C. & E. KEMP, BY WILLIAM BENJAMIN, OPPONENT OF TOM SAYERS, height 14cm., 5 1/2in. Bill Benjamin and Tom Sayers fought on two occasions, both times on the Isle of Grain in Kent. The first contest was on 5th January 1858, and then on 5th April 1859. The great Sayers won the first bout in 7 minutes (3 rounds); with Benjamin giving stiffer opposition the next time extending the contest to 22 minutes (11 rounds). The meaning of Benjamin's presentation to C & E Kemp is unclear.