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1908 Stanley Ketchel Middleweight Championship Belt with Photo Documentation
The actual belt presented to Stanley Ketchel for winning the Middleweight Championship of the World over Billy Papke on November 26, 1908 in San Francisco. One of the truly unique pieces in boxing or any sports memorabilia for that matter in that this early presentation piece has airtight photo documentation and provenance. The belt includes a cabinet card of the period showing Ketchel wearing the <b>exact same belt</b>. The unique cloth patterns are an absolute perfect match right down to a T. Best of all the photo is signed in ink by the Michigan Assassin “Stanley Ketchel” although the signature is quite light. The belt is made of silk and velvet with metal snatches. The front “buckle” is an all-silk 20-star American flag with each star individually sewn on. It is magnificent. Backed with metal eyehooks, this allows it to be functionally used as a real belt to be worn into the ring (as it was!). It is about 30” in length to accommodate the narrow waist of the many who knocked down superman Jack Johnson although the heavyweight outweighed him by 50 pounds! The belt itself is brilliantly sewn stripes of red, white and blue representing the most patriotic of ideals. It is beautifully backed with luxurious green velvet, which is magnificently preserved. A couple of the stars are missing, and there is some cloth loss to some others. Otherwise it is in excellent condition and is clean and bright and has in 100% original condition with absolutely no restoration. The quality is overall magnificent as is the creative deign and overall look. The man many consider to be the greatest middleweight of all-time, this is one of the finest pieces of Boxing Americana we have ever seen. Notarized LOA traces the belt every step of the way. It started with Ketchel’s grandmother, the titular head of the Ketchel Family. Upon Stanley’s death she presented it to Ketchel’s best friend, neighbor and sparring partner John R. Wirth. Includes photo of Ketchel and Wirth together (later print). Just before his death at the age of 91 in 1976, Wirth gave the belt to his dear friend Wesley Ramey, Sr. a boxer who defeated six world champions including Tony Canzoneri. He gave it to his son Wesley Ramey, Jr., who authored the letter and sold the belt in 1991. Includes additional supporting documentation.
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