LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2007 October Sig. Sports Collectibles II #708  / 

19908

1910-28 William Muldoon Signed Letters Lot of 15

Currency:USD Category:Sports - Cards & Fan Shop / Sports - Autographs (Original) Start Price:750.00 USD Estimated At:1,500.00 - 2,500.00 USD
1910-28 William Muldoon Signed Letters Lot of 15
<B>1910-28 William Muldoon Signed Letters Lot of 15.</B></I> Thrilling archive of correspondence derives from the desk and mind of William Muldoon, best remembered today as trainer to bare knuckle Heavyweight Champ John L. Sullivan. Each TLS appears on letterhead from "William Muldoon's Hygenic Institute" in Purchase, New York, where early physical fitness guru Muldoon whipped a drunken, out of shape Sullivan into peak condition for his meeting with Jake Kilrain in 1889. It was said that Muldoon, a powerful former Greco-Roman wrestling star in his Belfast, Northern Ireland birthplace, would often have to use physical force to restrain Sullivan from heading out to the bars while in training. The typed letters were directed to Muldoon's brother Martin, and often touch on issues of health, diet and physical training. Best is a letter dated "Feb 5th, 1928" which begins, "Dear Brother Martin:- Your letter received, John L's death was a great shock to me. The last time I saw him he complained of the pains about his heart, I warned him that too much smoking in addition to his being too fat, caused the trouble..." All thirteen letters are signed in black fountain pen ink at the close, with all at a strength of 7/10 or better except for a single example which stands at 3/10. Not included in the count of thirteen are six letters with a stamped autograph at the close. Letters are mainly a single page, but some are longer, and all are folded into sixths with some fold separation on several. All are solid and complete, however. Finally, we note the inclusion of a stub for the 1924 Firpo vs. Wills bout (VG), a postcard signed "The Muldoons," an unsigned typed first page of a multi-page letter, and an autograph in pencil from Jack Dempsey (NRMT). <I>LOA from Harry Shaffer.</B></I><BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Miscellaneous Collectibles, Smal (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
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