Description:

JACK DEMPSEY VS. LUIS FIRPO ARCHIVE INCLUDING FINE CONTENT DEMPSEY LETTER
On September 14, 1923 Jack Dempsey knocked out Luis Firpo at the Polo Grounds. But no champion ever had a closer call. In the first round, after Firpo had gone down seven times, one of his long smashing rights caught Dempsey fairly and knocked him clear through the ropes. Dempsey managed to stagger back into the ring, but the end of the round found him obviously badly shaken. In the second round, champion Dempsey knocked Firpo down three times, and 57 seconds into the round, the challenger's hopes were over. A fine archive of material related to this historic fight, highlighted by an A.L.S. "Jack" of White Sulpher Springs Hotel letterhead, 2pp. 8vo., Saratoga, N.Y., Aug. 11, 1923 (a month before the fight), in which the champion writes his father and brother-in-law from his training camp. Excellent content, in part: "...Have been here about a week now and am starting to do my stuff and its kind a tuff on me as its pretty hot and besides there is a million people around here and its pretty hard to keep away from them...How is Dad feeling and does he do his stuff on the ranch. Kid Firpo has been trying to run out of the Bout But I think he will go threw But if he don't if will be a tuff break on me...". An ink note in another hand at bottom reads: "Note - Jack in training for fight with Firpo". With transmittal envelope and a small photo of the hotel sent with the letter. SOLD WITH: the original official program for the fight, 20pp. 8vo., pictures Dempsey and Firpo on the cover, the night's events (which also included Gene Tunney vs. Leo Gates), unused scorecard, biographies of both fighters, a photos of promoter Tex Rickard and the fighters' managers, etc. Covers cleanly detached, some substantial loss to rear cover and marginal tears, and program was once folded into quarters but still very good; a souvenir program for the bout, 4pp. 4to., picturing both boxers and bearing their records, biographies, etc., a bit worn and soiled; a rare ticket stub for the fight ($16.50 for a seat in the "Upper Stand"); membership card in the Veteran Boxers Association, Inc. issued to George "Elbows" McFadden, signed by Dempsey on verso: To Elbows Best of Luck Pal From Jack Dempsey (Worn. McFadden was an excellent lightweight who later trained the wealthiest members of New York society); American Boxing News magazine, September, 1923, a pre-fight issue, 22pp. 4to., pictures both and analyzes the bout; The National Police Gazette, Oct. 6, 1923, 16pp., shows Dempsey on the cover with extensive coverage and many photos of the fight; The Ring boxing magazine, June, 1945, three page cover story on the fight; South American sheet music, 4pp. 4to., a tango with cover art showing Firpo sending Dempsey flying; Vanity Fair magazine article on the fight, with Bellows' famous painting; two post-fight 1923 postcards showing Firpo full-length; and a 1965 advertisement for a plastic model kit by Aurora of Dempsey smashing Firpo. An excellent grouping, and probably one of the best Dempsey letters extant.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

COD (cash on delivery), Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Shipment is sent USPS priority, USPS International Express (for most overseas), DHL or UPS Ground at the auctioneer's option, signature required, unless other arrangements are made. Handling, shipping and insurance charges will be added to the invoice in one entry. Buyers should be aware that large, framed, fragile or odd shaped items can incur substantial shipping and packing charges. NOTE: Large, heavy or bulky items are not shipped by the auctioneer - arrangements for shipping of these items via a third-party shipper may be arranged through the auction house. Customers who supply their own courier account number will still be charged a handling fee.

September 11, 2013 11:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 22.5% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $499 $20
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 + $1,000