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HSC: John L. Sullivan Signed Oversized Cabinet PS

Currency:USD Category:Sports - Cards & Fan Shop / Sports - Autographs (Original) Start Price:1.00 USD Estimated At:3,000.00 - 5,000.00 USD
HSC: John L. Sullivan Signed Oversized Cabinet PS
<B>Circa 1908 John L. Sullivan Signed Oversized Cabinet Photograph.</B></I> On September 7th, 1892 the unthinkable happened--the great John L. Sullivan was knocked out in the twenty-first round by "Gentleman" Jim Corbett. No one could believe it, even those that were present at ringside who had witnessed the event first hand. The nation mourned. They say old John L. went back to his room and wept. The nation wept with him, children, women and men. Newspapers and poets immortalized him. But John L. didn't stay down; he took the loss on the chin and got back up. One day, after a lifetime of alcohol abuse that had ruined his health and finances, he poured himself a glass of champagne, looked at it for a second, and then threw the glass against a wall. "Old John L. has had his last drink!" he roared. No one believed him, but he was true to his word. He not only stopped drinking, but became a temperance lecturer as well. Offered in this lot is a cabinet photo that shows Sullivan during this time in his life. His girth is greater and his hair is grayer, but the steel gaze is still evident in his eyes. The mighty right hand that felled many a foe is seen clutching a rolled paper, perhaps a speech that proclaims the evils of John Barleycorn, old John L. wins again. Sullivan has boldly signed the oversized 13.5x16" cabinet photo in the upper right corner "Compliments of John L. Sullivan to C. W. Ryder May 3rd, 1908". The piece shows a degree of wear typical of its age, but this only serves to add vintage charm and does not detract from visual appeal in any significant way. LOA from Craig Hamilton/ JO Sports. Additional LOA from Steve Grad & Zach Rullo/ PSA DNA.