This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 12/10/2001.
Jack Johnson, the first African-American boxing champion, was so feared by the white establishment that each of his opponents was labeled "The Great White Hope." Only one man was considered a worthy opponent, ex-champ James Jeffries, and on July 4, 1910 in Reno, Nevada, Jeffries came out of retirement to face Johnson for $100,000, only to be knocked clear out of the ring in round 15. The racially-charged fight, which led to lynchings around the country is evoked in these two vintage 13" x 17 ½" prints, one showing a confident Johnson being introduced to the crowd and the other Johnson hulking over the fallen Jeffries. Both prints also show a straw-hat-wearing Tex Rickard, the famous promoter who acted as referee in the fight. Mounted against a beige background, sepia-toned prints are in excellent condition.