Lot 24: Thomson-Gerstmans/C. le Marin-Fulloando.

Thomson-Gerstmans/C. le Marin-Fulloando.
JAN HASSINK
Affiche-Kaart (Antwerpen)
Cond A-/Unobtrusive folds.
Though the names are hardly household names to contemporary ears, the background standards certainly clue the viewer into the nationalities of the competitors in this Belgian wrestling championship. Though the undercard featured a duo going tooth-and-nail for the European crown, the main draw was the contest between American Thomson (who doesn't appear to have made any lasting impact on the wrestling world) and Laurent Gerstmans (1885-1955)-a boxer and bona fide Belgian Olympian who wrestled for his country at the 1912 Games in Stockholm (though in truth he didn't fare very well, losing both of his qualifying matches in the double-elimination format). The outcome of his match with Thomson isn't documented, but it's clear from the Hassink graphics that Gerstmans entered the match the world heavyweight champ and more likely than not emerged with the title as well.
1922
30 1/2 x 473 in./77.5 x 109.2 cm