One of the odder lots I have stumbled across in the many June book sales is a worn and soiled 12pp autograph catalogue, or calendar of “35 nude male races held on Kersal Moor [near Manchester] between 1777 and 1811”.
Naked fell running, it seems, dates back to the mid-17th century, and according to Lancashire novelist Walter Greenwood, the custom was derived from ancient Greek events. Greenwood also notes that such races allowed the lasses to weigh up form.
The notebook, which includes names or nicknames of racers, times, distances, amounts wagered, and so on, made $1700 (£1315) at Bonhams New York (25/20/12% buyer’s premium) on June 7.