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Unbelievable James Braddock Collection with Handwritten "Cinderella Man" Letters Written to His Wife Mae
Incredible collection of intensely personal memorabilia came originally from the Braddock family. Without doubt these are the most revealing and thorough culling of the unlikely heavyweight champ’s possessions ever made available to the public. Most compelling is that they mirror in hard possessions Braddock’s tender-hearted love for his wife Mae and their family, which not only drove him to Heavyweight Championship Glory but also mirror the narrative of the Russell Crowe film <i>Cinderella Man</i>. Highlights of the collection are of course anything with the <i>tough</i> signature of Gentleman Jim. There are two 1936 letters written by Jim to his wife Mae. Both are handwritten (rare), signed “Jim”, and in their original envelopes addressed to Mrs. J.J. Braddock (hence these are also “signatures”). The content is fantastic, discussing his upcoming fight with Max Schmeling. They combine great fight content with great <i>Cinderella Man </i>content. Also signed is a Stillman’s Gym membership card signed by Braddock. There are numerous letters written by Mae to Jim during those grueling training camps away from their Hortonville, New York home. There is a postcard from Jack Dempsey and two long typewritten letters from a convict in a New Jersey prison with whom Braddock was friends. There are also never-before-seen snapshots (with the original negatives) of Braddock with his family on vacation romps, Jim in training, greeting fans, etc. There is a memo book with Braddock’s handwritten notes, a card with the Lord’s Prayer, and a cigar box specifically holding some of his most treasured keepsakes: a ballpoint pen, metal nail file, thimble, a small gold medallion with the image of the Virgin Mary on one side and “Pray For us” on the other, and a simple silver cross that he wore around his neck. Best of all is a membership card from his own New Jersey social club picturing him right on it. Again, these are absolutely one-of-a-kind pieces, given new and relevant meaning by the renewed interest in Braddock’s amazing story. The find of this collection was reported originally in a <i>New York Post</i> newspaper article two years ago.
Past Sports Card, Memorabilia, Non-Sports Card and Collecitble Auction Items
Other past auction items that may be of interest to you.
1966 Muhammad Ali-Cleveland Williams Fight Poster
Dempsey and Firpo Lithograph by George Bellows (1923-24)
John C. Heenan Presentation "Heenan v Sayers" Scrimshaw Shell (1860)
1926 Tunney vs. Dempsey Fight Program.
1887 John L. Sullivan Lorillard Card
Joe Louis WWII Mini Poster (7x10”)
Muhammad Ali Memorabilia & Autograph Collection (15)
