Description:

JOHN L. SULLIVAN
(1858 - 1918) American bare-knuckled boxing champion finally defeated by James Corbett, known for his bluster and phenomenal strength. Superb content T.L.S. "John L. Sullivan", 1p. legal folio, [n.p., n.d. but ca. 1903], pitching a theater owner to sign him for an exhibition sparring bout and to give a lecture. In small part: "...I should be very pleased, indeed, to play at your house...I can break all records, in way of attendance and financial matters as well. During my present tour...I have made greater successes than in my earlier days. Whether it can be attributed to my boxing turn with my sparring partner, or that times are better...'Results tell the story'. We have played in the 10 and 20 cent houses, and then we have gone into the big theatres and played from 25 cents to $2.50 for a seat, and it seems to make no difference...my audiences are composed one-half of ladies...there are hundreds of thousands of ladies who would be only too pleased to see a boxing exhibition...we can give you three or four shows a day...2,400 people a day, which is $240 a day at 10 cents...In the afternoon I present my monologue, which covers 23 minutes...consists of incidents that happened during my travel around the world...in the evening I give an exhibition with my sparring partner, Jim McCormick...This is the first time I have had boxing gloves on in nine years...make me your best offer...I know I am a better drawing card...than Corbett, Jeffries, and Fitzsimmons put together and have played to larger houses than Nelson or Britt...". Small tear at left margin, else very good.

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May 14, 2009 10:00 AM EDT
Stamford, CT, US

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