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1892 John L. Sullivan vs. James J Corbett Official Boxing Program Collection - Sourced from Olympic Club Boxing Instructor (6)
Presented is a fascinating collection (6) of extremely rare 130-year-old programs from the incredible September 7, 1892, World Heavyweight Championship fight in New Orleans, Louisiana, at the Olympic Club, between the undefeated heavyweight, John L. Sullivan and the heavyweight challenger, undefeated "Gentleman" Jim Corbett. Sullivan was legendary as a brawling, punishing fighter who won the Heavyweight World Championship in 1882 and was still the World Heavyweight Champion ten years later. Each of the six programs, measuring 6.25x9.25", was originally 48 pages, including the front and back covers. The front cover features an ornate image of the Olympic Club, and the cover reads, "Souvenir Program Official Olympic Club/Photo Electric Engraving Co./Monday, Tuesday, & Wednesday/SEPTEMBER 5th, 6th & 7th. 1892." The programs include photos of Sullivan, Corbett and other fighters who were on the bill for the three-day event. One of these, "Gentleman" Jim Corbett, was a handsome fighter who had some education and spoke with correct grammar - hence his "Gentleman" nickname. Sullivan had retained his Heavyweight Championship three years earlier against Jake Kilrain in the last ever World Heavyweight bare-knuckle championship fight. In this 1892 fight, the relatively new Marquess of Queensbury rules were used, so the fighters had to wear boxing gloves and refrain from certain brutal techniques permitted by the earlier rules. Corbett, at 26 years old, was in better shape than the almost 34-year-old Sullivan, and Corbett's "scientific fighting," in using skill more than brawn, prevailed as Corbett knocked out Sullivan in the 21st round, and boxing was forever changed. The program also has photos and biographies of other fighters who would fight on the three-day event. One of these fighters was George Dixon, an African American boxer. All of the scheduled fighters have biographies. The program has a section on the Olympic Club and part of a speech made by an official of the Olympic Club at its founding included the following, proving that the club was not a place for mollycoddles: "The Olympic Club is creating a respect for manly sports, a respect for honest unafraid muscle. It is teaching the grand lesson that a fist is courageous and a pistol cowardice." The program describes the Olympic Club as having rooms for billiards and reading, a natatorium, and an Arena Amphitheater (where the Sullivan-Corbett fight was held) seating 9,000. The six programs, while initially identical, do have differences in their present condition, and each program has some foxing and darkening because of the passage of time. The six programs will be described sequentially: 1) The program cover is almost detached. There is some paper loss on the spine. There are some very small stains. 2) The front and rear covers are present but detached from staples. Another separate page is detached. There is some paper loss on the front and back covers, some small tears (mainly on the front and back covers). 3) The front cover is detached, and the back cover is missing. There is some minor paper loss and a few small creases. 4) The front cover and the next page are detached, and the back cover is missing. There is paper loss on the front cover and in a few other spots. There are a few small tears and some small discoloration on the last remaining page. 5) The front cover is detached, as is the next page. The back cover is missing, and there is paper loss on the front cover and in a few other spots. 6) The front cover is partially detached and there is significant paper loss. There are some small stains in various spots, and the back cover is missing. The next to last page is detached. The programs are sourced from Robert L. Curry, a boxing instructor at the Olympic Club who was locally respected and well-known in the New Orleans area. The programs were passed down through generations within the family. Overall, although the programs exhibit some defects that are only to be expected because of their age, these valuable programs are wonderful collectibles because they help one to return to an earlier time when boxing was changed for all-time.
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