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The Champion Course, Parramatta River. Scene Of The Late Contest Between Hanlan And Beach For The Championship Of The World [Sculling]

1884. Colour lithograph with 10 vignettes, date, title and captions in image, 54.2 x 84.4cm. Old folds, foxing, worn repairs to tears and missing portions, laid down on old backing. Framed.

Text includes “Supplement to the Illustrated Sydney News, August 27th, 1884. Gibbs, Shallard & Co., Litho, 70 Pitt St, Sydney.” Captions read “Bird’s eye view of Parramatta River; The starting point, Champion Course; Street view in Ryde, P&T Office; Gladesville, looking towards Asylum; The Brothers; View of river from Ryde; Gladesville Wharf; Sydney Rowing Club, Branch Club House; [and] Iron swing bridge above Hunters Hill.” Image includes portraits of scullers Australian William Beach and Canadian Ned Hanlan.

This race, held on 16 August 1884, was rowed over a distance of 5.13km with a prize of £500. William Beach won by six or seven lengths. “After the race, Hanlan could not accept the fact that his long reign had ended, blaming the Australian climate, the treacherous tides and an excess of hospitality for his defeat, which he took very badly.” Ref: Wiki.

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Item #CL181-75

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