A Baily’s of Glastonbury left-hand boxing glove worn by Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali) in his first fight ...

A Baily’s of Glastonbury left-hand boxing glove worn by Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali) in his first fight against Henry Cooper at Wembley Stadium on 18 June 1963, signed by Henry Cooper

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In cerise red and of aniline cape hair (Dorper) sheep skin with the original cotton lining and cotton two and two twill weave stay tape lace and full and pronounced D shape thumb guard and with a 2.5 cm cut/tear to the knuckle

Sold together with a documentation including a hand written letter from the late Richard Mayers, managing director of Baily’s stating as follows:

“I declare this glove to be genuine. I’ve always been aware of it’s significance, safety and provenance”.

And also Mayer’s Curriculum Vitae, Deeds to the Baily’s Factory and a black and white Mirror Press Photograph taken of Cooper knocking Clay to the canvas in round 4 of the bout (22 x 17 cm).

Provenance: The glove was manufactured by Baily’s Tanneries of Glastonbury in 1963 by Percy Green (Cutter), June Griffin (Trimmer) Lilian Whitcombe (Machinist). Baily’s were contracted by The British Boxing Board of Control to make boxing gloves for professional boxing and title fights, including the fight between Cassius Clay v Henry Cooper at Wembley Stadium, on 18 June 1963 and at the rematch between Mohammad Ali v Henry Cooper at Arsenal Stadium, on 21 May 1966. After the 1963 fight Clay’s damaged left-hand glove was sent back to Baily’s factory in Glastonbury for inspection. The glove was also subjected to laboratory testing by Messrs. Pittards of Yeovil, Somerset, leather suppliers to Baily’s. The glove was then held securely by Baily’s until the late Richard Mayers, the Managing Director of Baily’s, gifted the glove along with the handwritten letter, his Curriculum Vitae, Deeds to the Baily’s Factory and original Mirror Photograph referenced above the to the Seller’s family in 1989, with whom it has remained until consigned for sale with Stuart Bull Auctions. Mayers had met Henry Cooper in the late 1980’s when the glove was signed by Cooper.

The lot will be accompanied by a dossier of provenance research circa 70 pages.

Background: Cooper knocked Clay down to the canvas seconds before the bell of round 4 of the 1963 fight with a left hook nicknamed ‘Enry's Ammer’. Clay was ushered back to his corner where Angelo Dundee worked frantically to revive Clay who appeared dazed and disorientated. Dundee later admitted to worsening the cut in the left hand glove by pushing his finger into it. He called over Tommy Little, the referee, to show him the damaged glove. The start of round 5 was delayed. The cut over Cooper’s left eye worsened during round 5 and the fight was stopped with Clay declared the victor.

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