Hartley, R.A. – Jack Scroggins. 19th Century Pugilist

Description

Hartley, R.A. ‘Jack Scroggins. 19th Century Pugilist’ INSCRIBED on the frontispiece “With Very Best Wishes to Sid Green and Friends at Northampton E.B.A., Bob Hartley 13/12/1989.” 96 pages plus a 17-page epilogue and 44-page appendix. Very good with a good non-price clipped somewhat grubby VG dust wrapper.

Book Structure and Content Overview:
The 140-page hardcover operates both as a historical re-issue and an expanded modern biography:
Three-Part Compilation: The book brings together a modern biography written by Hartley based on his recent historical research, paired alongside a re-issue of the original Memoirs of Jack Scroggins and J. Humphreys’ early biography of the fighter.

The Portrait of a Fighter: The book chronicles the life of Jack Scroggins, a legendary bare-knuckle prize-fighter from the late Regency and early 19th-century era. Though he was never officially recognized as a world champion, Scroggins earned an enduring reputation as an incredibly rough, tough, and fearless competitor.

Inside and Outside the Ring: Hartley details Scroggins’ numerous ring battles, his willingness to brawl anywhere—whether inside the ropes or at local public houses—and his various personal adventures.

Social Commentary: Beyond just individual fight statistics, the book serves as a historical window into the harsh social conditions, gritty underworld, and evolving nature of British prizefighting during the early 1800s.

Sid Green was a highly respected local boxing historian, author, and prominent figure within the British boxing community based in Northamptonshire.

Association wing historian, author, and prominent figure within the British boxing community, based in Northamptonshire. Association with Boxing & The Northampton E.B.A.
* The Northampton E.B.A. Northampton Ex-Boxers Association (E.B.A.): The “Northampton E.B.A.” noted in the inscription refers to the Northampton Ex-Boxers Association, an organization dedicated to bringing together former fighters, trainers, and fans to preserve the legacy of regional boxing and support former athletes. Sid Green was a cornerstone member and fixture of this branch.
* Boxing Historian & Chronicler: Green dedicated much of his life to documenting and keeping the history of Northamptonshire boxing alive.
* Published Author: He wrote the book From Farming to Fighting, which chronicled the life of Jeff Tite, widely considered Northamptonshire’s finest post-war welterweight fighter. Green was also a close friend to many of the area’s legendary fighters, regularly visiting them and keeping their stories in the public eye.

Because of Sid Green’s status as a regional boxing historian and key member of the local Ex-Boxers Association, it is entirely natural that fellow boxing historian and author R.A. (Bob) Hartley would personally inscribe a copy of his 1989 bare-knuckle biography, Jack Scroggins: 19th Century Pugilist, to him and his peers at the organization.