Deaf Burke (Champion of England)
Prizefighter Portrait, London: 1839

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Deaf Burke, Champion of England
Deaf Burke, Champion of England
Deaf Burke, Champion of England
Henry Meyer (1782-1847) (after)
Charles Hunt (1803-1877) (engraver)
Deaf Burke (Champion of England)
J. Moore, London: February 24, 1839
Hand-colored aquatint
15.75 x 11.75 inches, image
18.5 x 15.25 inches, plate mark
22 x 17.5 inches, overall
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Portrait engraving of James "Deaf" Burke (1809-1845), an English bare-knuckle prizefighter.  Text in the lower margin gives his date and place of birth along with his height and weight, and lists a record of 15 winning fights and two losses between 1828 and 1839, naming opponents, locations, dates purses, length in minutes and number of rounds.  Some of Burke's fights were harsh tests of endurance, a few running over 90 minutes.  His only losses during that period occurred early in his career, in 1829, and the last fight listed, a fight for the all-England championship against Bendigo (William Thompson) on February 12, 1839.  Few other details are given except that his marathon bout in 1833 against Simon Byrne was "fatal" (Byrne died three days later, and although Burke was not blamed, he was sufficiently affected that he only fought exhibitions for the next few years). 

It is also noted on the print that in 1837 he fought twice in the U.S., once against [the Irish champion, Sam] O'Rourke in "New Orleans America, a Row the Deaf-un obliged to cut."  In other words, the fight degenerated into a brawl where the crowd surged into the ring and Burke fled on horseback fearing for his life.  According to the print, almost three months later he won a bout with O'Connell "near New York" for a prize of 200 dollars.  In fact, one of Burke's major achievements was that he was the first British boxer to fight on American soil.  Another example of this print is in the collection of the British Sporting Art Trust.

Bare-knuckle boxing was a popular sport from the late 18th to mid 19th century, somewhat akin to the early days of today's Ultimate Fighting Championship -- there were few rules, no gloves, no set length to rounds, and wrestling was allowed, although head-butting was not permitted, which is how Burke lost to the younger boxer William "Bendigo" Thompson in 1839.  That fight was the first championship match conducted under the more stringent London Prize Ring Rules, adopted the prior year.

James "Deaf" Burke was the most active champion of his day, fighting 20 bouts, some quite lengthy.  While working as a waterman on the Thames River, he received training from an older boxer, and launched his career at the age of 19.  Burke won his first championship title against Harry Macone in 1833, and defended it against Simon Byrne.  After two additional fights not noted on the print, Burke retired in 1843 and died in poverty two years later.

Henry Meyer was a British painter, watercolorist and engraver in stipple engraving, mezzotint and aquatint.  A nephew of the painter John Hoppner and student of the great mezzotint engraver Francesco Bartolozzi, he was among the founders of the Society of British Artists, serving as president from 1828-29 and exhibiting at their Salons between 1824 and 1831.  He also exhibited watercolors and paintings at the Royal Academy.  There are over 270 portraits engraved by Meyer after prominent British artists, including his uncle, in the collection of the National Portrait Gallery in London.

Charles Hunt was a British engraver of horse and sporting subjects active during the 19th century.  He came from a family of engravers and was noted for his fine engravings after Pollard, Alken, Herring and other painters working in the genre.

Full publication information: London, Pub'd Feb 24th, 1839. By J. Moore, at his Wholesale Looking Glass & Picture Frame Manufactory, corner of West St't. Upper St. Martins Lane.

References:

Bénézit, E. Dictionnaire critique et documentaire des Peintres, Sculpteurs, Dessinateurs et Graveurs.  France: Librairie Gründ, 1966.  Vol. 5, p. 30 (Hunt); Vol. 6, p. 96 (Meyer).

"Deaf Burke."  British Sporting Art Trust.  2012.  http://www.bsat.co.uk/picture.php?pid=197 (23 May 2012).

"Henry Meyer."  National Portrait Gallery.  2012.  http://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/person.php?LinkID=mp07310&role=art (24 May 2012).

Roberts, James B. and Alexander G. Skutt.  The Boxing Register.  McBooks Press, 1999.  Online at International Boxing Hall of Fame: http://www.ibhof.com/pages/about/inductees/pioneer/burke.html (23 May 2012).

Studeny, Richard. "Nottinghamshire Legends: Bendigo."  BBC.  http://www.bbc.co.uk/nottingham/content/articles/2005/02/14/features_people_2005_02_bendigo_and_forest_tavern_feature.shtml (17 May 2012).