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1290

Gene Tunney

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:100.00 - 200.00 USD
Gene Tunney

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Auction Date:2010 Nov 10 @ 19:00 (UTC-5 : EST/CDT)
Location:5 Rt 101A Suite 5, Amherst, New Hampshire, 03031, United States
ALS - Autograph Letter Signed
ANS - Autograph Note Signed
AQS - Autograph Quotation Signed
AMQS - Autograph Musical Quotation Signed
DS - Document Signed
FDC - First Day Cover
Inscribed - “Personalized”
ISP - Inscribed Signed Photograph
LS - Letter Signed
SP - Signed Photograph
TLS - Typed Letter Signed
ALS signed “Gene T.,” two pages on two adjoining sheets, 5.5 x 7, Le Majestic letterhead, September 21, 1928. Letter to Joe Connolly of King Features. In full: “By the time this reaches you the contract in existence between us (King Feature and G.T.) will have about expired. I want to state here that the severance of our business relations is not done with some regret on my side. I have enjoyed my association with the King Feature purely because of you. My only contact with the organization has been thru you and thru your most amicable representative, Bradley Kelly. A warm personal fondness for both you and Bradley has developed in me, and I hope that from our business associations has sprung a personal interest in me with you two.

Bradley has already met my fiancee, Polly, and I trust I shall have the pleasure of having you and Mrs. Connolly know her when we get settled in our little home in Conn., which will not be too far from Bronxville.” After his signature, Tunney adds a short postscript, which reads: “Have no thought of ever doing any kind of ‘writing’ again but if I change my mind, I shall talk it over with you. Gene.” In very good condition, with paper loss to top right area of first page, creasing to right edge of second page slightly affecting a few letters of text, short split along horizontal fold, and scattered light toning. Accompanied by an unsigned vintage photo of Tunney posing with two men aboard a ship, and an invitation to Tunney’s 1928 wedding in Rome.

The champ’s relationship with King Features was consummated in October 1926 with the publication of Gene Tunney’s Own Story. While preparing the work, Tunney worked extensively with Kelly, the company’s comics editor and Connolly’s “most amicable representative.” In 1927, just about a year after the story hit newsstands, Tunney partook in a successful title defense against Jack Dempsey is one of the most famous bouts in boxing history—The Long Count Fight.

Tunney retired as an undefeated heavyweight after his victory over Tom Heeney in July 1928. Later that year, his fiancee—wealthy socialit, Mary ‘Polly’ Lauder—became his wife, with the couple locating to Stamford, Connecticut to raise their four children. Tunney eventually reconsidered his position of “ever doing any kind of ‘writing’ again” as in 1932 he published the book A Man Must Fight, in which he gave comments on his career and boxing techniques. Polite correspondence from a decidedly hectic span in Tunney’s life.
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