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1888 Jake Kilrain ALS to Trainer Johnny "Murph" Murphy
Dated “London Feb 18,” offered is an outstanding handwritten letter with important boxing content from tough bare knuckler who lost the last bare knuckle fight in 1889 to John L. Sullivan. Written on “Ripley, Surrey” telegraph paper, folded over, creating 4 separate pages of writing. Neatly written completely in the hand of Jake Kilrain, it is signed, “Your Friend Jake, 36 Finchley Rd. St. Johns Wood, London.” Great content refers to his training of fellow bare knuckler, Charlie Mitchell for one of the more important fights of the 19th century on March 10, 1888, involving last bare knuckle champion, John Sullivan. This was for the World Heavyweight title and was one of the last fights to adhere to the London Prizefighting rules. Mitchell drew first blood in the 8th, then forced Sullivan to a draw after 39 rounds. Sullivan, being chased by the French police absconded to the U.S. immediately following the fight. Referring repeatedly to John L. Sullivan, It reads in part: “I am training Charlie Mitchell for his go with [John L.] Sullivan...he is in good form and feels confident of doing [well]...Jake is trying to make it appear that Charlie don’t want to fight, but I think that it is himself who don’t want it to come off. Charlie agreed to have only 4 men but J.L. [Sullivan] will have 10 and he is with the worst man in England, Chipper Nortan is this man’s name. J.L. has lost all the friends he had in this country. He has not made much money over here but he is blowing that he has made a fortune while here. We are training on a gentleman’s Summer house. We have the whole house to our selfs and we have everything a man could wish for…” Great expetive later on "the rest can kiss my ass." Black fountain pen ink, ranges VG to EX.
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