A VICTORIAN LEATHER AND GILT METAL BOXING BELT AWARDED TO ROBERT BARLEY, DATED 1876-7the belt displaying gilt reliefs of boxing figures alongside two plaques, the first inscribed; 'Presented by Prof C. Fuller of Islington to encourage the manly art of self defense at 11 stone, to be won 3 times, open to all England, Jan 18th 1876', and the second inscribed 'Won by R Barley of Islington March 22nd 1876. Won by R Barley of Islington Jan 9th 1877. No entries and was presented to R Barley in the presence of his numerous friends Sept 4th 1877', framed and glazed within wooden case, together with a photograph of Robert Barley in his later years, 113cm wide, 6.5cm deep, 34.5cm high (44in wide, 2 1/2in deep, 13 1/2in high) (2)注脚Robert Barley (b.1849 Islington) was a humble livery stable keeper but also a keen boxer and well respected runner.

The Islington Amateur Boxing Club was founded by Mr D Taylor and C Fuller, and after growing significantly, a competition was put forward to all of England. Robert Barley appears to have won the first two matches at 11 stone in March 1876 and January 1877. The belt was then put forward during the year of 1877, however there were no takers, so on 4th September 1877, Robert Barley was presented with this belt in honour of the three times challenge for England.