LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2006 October Signature Sports Auction #705  / 

19250

1905 Nelson v Britt Championship Panoramic Photo

Currency:USD Category:Sports - Cards & Fan Shop Start Price:1,200.00 USD Estimated At:3,000.00 - 4,000.00 USD
1905 Nelson v Britt Championship Panoramic Photo
<B>1905 Nelson vs. Britt Championship Fight Panoramic Photograph.</B></I> Simply stunning wide-angle view of the scene at Colma, California on September 9, 1905 represents one of the most impressive vintage boxing photographs to reach the market in quite some time. At the center of a vast sea of dark-suited spectators stand Boxing Hall of Fame challenger Battling Nelson and Jimmy Britt, the latter of which having beaten the former to take the vacant Lightweight title a year earlier. On this date Nelson would turn the tables, sending Britt to the canvas for the count in the eighteenth round to claim the Championship for himself. In this remarkable silver gelatin photograph the combatants pose in a fighting stance at the center of the ring as their seconds look on from the ring ropes and referee Eddie Granery presides over the proceedings.<BR><BR> The image is so masterfully rendered that hundreds of the attendees would be recognizable to those living a century ago. Deep in the background can be seen an advertisement for what is presumably a theater presentation of "Uncle Tom's Cabin." Adding yet more appeal to the photo is an inscription at upper left reading, "To H.L. Baggerly, compliments of the promoter, Jim Coffroth." Serious boxing collectors will recognize Coffroth as a member of the Boxing Hall of Fame, earning that honor for having been the first large-scale boxing promoter (Corbett vs. Jeffries, Nelson vs. Gans, Ketchel vs. Johnson). Baggerly was a San Francisco newspaper man, best remembered for giving Ripley of "Believe it or Not" fame his first job.<BR><BR> The photo remains in unimaginably pristine condition, without a single crease, tear or stain to be found. The size of 9x35" is expanded to 20x45.5" by the gorgeous original wood frame.
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