Colorful African-American boxer (1878–1946) who held the world heavyweight championship from 1908 to 1915 and whose achievements in and out of the ring created an unprecedented storm of racially charged controversy. Extremely rare vintage glossy 8 x 10 full-length portrait of Johnson in tights and fighting stance, signed and inscribed in fountain pen, “To my good friend Lou, with good luck and what goes with it. From Jack Johnson.” Accompanied by an original cigarette boxing card. In very good condition, with two repaired heavy vertical creases to upper background, as well as several smaller repairs, all done on the reverse, scattered creases and surface impressions, a few affecting small portions of inscription, and a small light stain stain beside Johnson’s head.
As a fighter, Johnson needed luck on his side, and he usually had it, especially in connection with “lucky number 13.” In one of his first matches, an 1899 fight in Chicago against the brutish fighter John Klondike Haines, Johnson was easily bested. They fought to a 20-round draw in 1900 but in a third match-up later that year, Johnson found his lucky charm. He delivered a pounding so powerful that Klondike was forced to quit after the 13th round. Following that bout, Johnson said the experience “proved to me that the number thirteen brings me luck, regardless of what superstitions may say.”
An amazing, seldom-encountered signed photo, very rare in this size. This pose has accompanied web stories for CBS News and National Public Radio, and is only the second signed photo of this size that we have seen in 15 years. Pre-certified Steve Grad/PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
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