This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 6/27/2002.
When James J Corbett won the Heavyweight Championship from John L Sullivan in 1892 he changed the face of prizefighting. A handsome educated man, Corbett was different from all others who had come before. He had learned to fight in the sparring clubs of San Francisco rather than the streets and brought style into the ring earning him the nickname "Gentleman Jim." Over a 19 bout career Corbett won 11 fights with 7 coming by way of a knockout. This cabinet card features "Gentleman Jim" in a suit and top hat and is in very good to excellent condition with wear to the corners and light edge wear. The image itself is unaffected by this but has toned somewhat. Corbett has signed the card in pencil on the reverse "Yours truly, Jas. J. Corbett. July 22/93". The signature and inscription both rate an 8.