Furniss, Harry – The By Ways and Queer Ways of Boxing

Description

Furniss, Harry ‘The By Ways and Queer Ways of Boxing’ 1919 1st edition. 227-pages. London: Harrison & Sons. Printers in Ordinary to His Majesty. St. Martin’s Lane, W.C. 2. Front hinge loosening, else good condition.

The By Ways and Queer Ways of Boxing is a 1919 boxing history and reminiscence book written and illustrated by the prominent Irish artist, caricaturist, and illustrator Harry Furniss, published in London by Harrison & Sons.

In a preliminary note, Furniss explicitly shares his unique research method: over the years, he hired numerous former prize fighters to serve as models for his illustrations. While posing, these old boxers shared behind-the-scenes stories, locker room gossip, and forgotten ring lore that formed the foundation for the “By Ways” and “Queer Ways” mentioned in the title.

The text discusses the history of the transition from bare-knuckle prize fighting into modern gloved boxing at the turn of the 20th century. Furniss offers personal commentary on what he viewed as the greatest and most disgraceful fights of his time.

The book profiles legendary fighters across centuries, including early pioneers like James Figg and Jack Broughton, historical heavyweights like Tom Cribb, and modern titans like Robert Fitzsimmons, John L. Sullivan, and Bombardier Wells.

Given Furniss’s background as a leading caricaturist, the book contains over 120 text illustrations and portraits drawn entirely by the author. One notable creative highlight includes an illustration of Jack Johnson reimagined in the artistic style of portraiture that would have been used had he lived in the early 19th-century era of Tom Molineaux and Bill Richmond.