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Boxing Promoter Archive, Bill Pettite

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:1,000.00 USD Estimated At:2,000.00 - 4,000.00 USD
Boxing Promoter Archive, Bill Pettite
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This is an exceptional historical archive of Bill Pettite, a Reno Judge, writer, historian and boxing affectionado. The Pettite collection is comprised of five large notebooks completely full of historical material from his life, as well as that of his sister and brother in law Nick Ableman, a major figure in Nevada gaming history. The collection, numbering well over 1000 pieces, is highlighted by a single event in Pettite's life, a promotion he made at The Mapes Hotel in Reno in 1970 known as "A Salute to the The Golden Days of Boxing". Other notebooks contain ancillary material to this main event, as well as other functions on boxing promoted by Pettite. A final notebook is on the family interests (Nick Ableman) in mining and casinos. The mining interests surrounded the Tonopah and Goldfield region during the height of the mining boom, and included mining claims with partners such as Noble Getchell, Harry Stimler and Bernard Baruch. About 25 mining stocks accompany many news clippings, photographs and other ephemera about the family interests. Pettite was the "chairman" and key promoter of an event in Reno known as "A Salute to the Golden Days of Boxing". This event was held to celebrate Nevada's heydays as the best place to hold key world-class boxing events. Little did Pettite know at the time, but the modern age of heavyweight boxing events that would draw major audiences, both in Nevada, and in television watchers had just started in Las Vegas in the mid-1960's. That new beginning was the setting Pettite used for his wonderful celebration, which is probably the last of its kind ever held. Invited attendees such as Jersey Joe Walcott, Jack Sharkey, James Braddock, Max Baer, Galento, Pastrano and others attended the Mapes Hotel Gala. The Pettite Collection contains autographed pieces from most of the famous boxing attendees, with multiple examples of the key people. There are dozens, if not more than 100 photographs, a similar number in each category of promotional materials, news clippings, letters, telegrams and more. A tape is also in the archive, possibly of interviews at the Mapes. Another famous attendee was Ancil Hoffman, a boxing promoter, who's partner at one time was Jack Dempsey. In controversy, Hoffman was a friend of Adolph Hitler. There are many news clippings of articles written about Pettite, especially by his close friend Ty Cobb (Reno Judge and historian, not the baseball player). State: City: Date: HWAC# 85773