Dick Walker’s iconic former British Record carp, Clarissa, is to be sold at auction in July and is expected to attract bids in excess of £30,000.

The fish weighed 44lb when landed in September 1952. It’s thought to be the first ‘named’ carp, something that is standard nowadays, and is said to have inspired generations of carp fanatics.

The auction will run from July 24-25th and will be done online, although the auctioneers, Shropshire’s Mullock Jones, can also handle telephone bids.

The carp is  mounted in a glazed bow-fronted case with gilt writing and border, set in a reed and gravel setting. It was restored in 2011 and, although there are five known cast replicas, this is the original specimen.

In 1952, Dick Walker targeted the big common carp on paste, using breadcrust in a bid to critically balance the bait.

After Walker’s capture, Clarissa lived in a tank at London Zoo and stood as the British Record for 27 years before being beaten by Chris Yates’ 51lb 5oz Redmire Pool giant.