One of the world’s most famous fish is to be sold for up to £40,000, 72 years after it was caught.
On September 12, 1952, the carp Clarissa was caught by famous angler and author Richard Walker and weighed a record-breaking 44 pounds.
This catch is considered the most significant event in the history of carp fishing and paved the way for modern fishing.
Clarissa surpassed the previous record by about 13 pounds and lived at the ZSL London Zoo Aquarium until 1972.
Her record held for 28 years until 1980 when a 51.5lb fish was caught in the same spot at Burnisan Pool, near Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire.
Now, Clarissa’s original skinned specimen is due to be auctioned at Mullock Jones in Shropshire on 24th and 25th July, with an estimated bid of £35,000-40,000.
Ben Jones, from the auction house, said it was “probably the most valuable preserved carp specimen in the world”.
He added: “There are five known replicas cast by Williams, but this is a unique specimen of the original.”
“His catch of the record-breaking 44lb carp Clarissa in 1952 earned Richard Walker a place in the record books and made him carp fishing champion for life.”
The fish is housed in a bow-fronted glass case with gilt lettering and borders, set within a natural reed and gravel frame.
It was originally stuffed by a taxidermist for £80 and restored in 2011 by Barry Williams of Cannock, Staffordshire.