A 50-Year Boxing Photograph Collection (1000+).

Auction: December 2003

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December 2003
Muhammad Ali & Boxing

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A 50-Year Boxing Photograph Collection (1000+).

A vast assortment of photographs of the great fighters of the world collected by one man over a 50-year period. This collection is completely unpicked. All are vintage and many are British where the wire photos are 100% superior to their American brothers. Many of these originally came from fight insiders like British manager Johnny Sharpe. I. The best stuff here is: 1) Classic early 1930s photo series with killer names of the boxers in ovals on fronts. Reprinted a million times, these are the sepia ORIGINALS: Jack Sharkey, Maxie Rosenbloom, Sammy Mandel, Jackie Fields, George Courtney, Billy Petrolle, Kid Berg, Izzy Schwartz, Midget Wolgast. Nine total; the best of the best. 2) "Battling Levinsky Light Heavyweight Champion of the World “ advertising photo by National. The single best piece here. Pinholes o/w EX+. 3) Cassius Clay unpublished 5x5” after beating Cooper (6-8-63). Plus, Tiny Madagan wire photo (fought Clay in Olympics). 4) Fabulous group of oversized heavy stock handcolored boxing photographs are reminiscent of the large framed Apeda photos that hung in gyms everywhere. Seven w/Moe Moss, Johnny Peters, Kid Farlo, Harry Jennings & Johnny Peters. II. The best of the wire photos includes: Joe Louis knocks out Baer, 1937 Joe Louis and Tommy Farr, Archie Sexton (5), Braddock-Farr, Marcel Cerdan, Pep-Titone, 1931 Marcel Thil-Benjamin, Battling Siki-Mike McTigue, -Nice group of Jewish boxers (nine including two Max Baer), Jersey Joe Walcott-Rex Lane, four exceptional Kid Berg in action versus Mushy Callahan, Jimmy Walsh & Baudry, Brian London floored by Patterson, and a nice Young Stribling group with two beautiful wire photos (Carnera mentioned), and great early advertising piece “Down South” with “Baby” Stribling. But there is a treasure trove of 1930s material and there are some great fighters (mostly British) as well. There is tons of quality stuff (no junk). III. There are other great images including early 1920s published print of the classic John L. shot, dapper Panama Al Brown at the Paris train station (by G. Devred), matching Robinson-Basilio (2), Joe Louis Jr. ad card, 1940s Jack Dempsey, “the” classic Jack Dempsey pose (1930s), 1930s Ray Arcel, unusual Battling Nelson-Eddie Hanlon photo (age?), unusual Jack Peterson 1932 tri-fold advertising photo, Mickey Esposito War hero, 1930s movie still filled with unidentified boxers, awesome Rocky Scott promo 8x10, IV. Unusual pieces: 1) Braille sheet from blind boxer. 2) 1930 Alf Mancini real photo ad card versus Harry Mason (a beauty) plus handout for his restaurant. 3) Three great pieces of original art includes Billy Wells small pen & ink (appears to be for a card set), 1930s Harry Brooks 9x6” paste up for an advertising card with two of the final cards included (superb piece), and Archie Sexton-Gustav Eder watercolor that is believed to be by Sexton himself. Tons of other vintage photographs (many wire photos and most 1930s-50s) of British and international boxers.