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1221

James J. Corbett

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:300.00 - 400.00 USD
James J. Corbett

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Auction Date:2010 Jul 14 @ 22:00 (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 “Jas J. Corbett,” one onionskin page, 8 x 10, September 18, 1895. Corbett writes “Friend Dr.” and mentions an injury prior to his ultimately delayed fight versus Bob Fitzsimmons. In part: “You will no doubt judging from the reports daily published in the N.Y. papers imagine that my knee is…pretty bad…but the truth of it is these reporters are endeavoring to even info the belting and to this end are using my ‘knee’ which of cause [sic] has been a little sore but nothing like you read about, so do not be put out and keep this to yourself for I want the people to think my knee is bad, but bet. you and I, I never felt better in my life.” In very good condition, with missing paper along the right edge, small tears along some of the intersecting folds, spots of paper loss from ink erosion, including to the date and Corbett’s middle initial.

The pending bout between Corbett and Fitzsimmons prompted a late 19th century media circus, attested to by the pugilist’s observation of the “reports daily published in the N.Y. papers.” Using the press to his advantage, Corbett gladly allows journalists to say what they wanted regarding his sore knee, asking the recipient to “keep...to yourself” the fact that Gentleman Jim “never felt better.” Despite a reliance on his minor deception as fight day drew nearer, Corbett and his camp soon were to face a bigger foe...the Texas state legislature, which sought to outlaw prizefighting—political payback by Texas Governor Charles A. Culberson against rival Dan A. Stuart, the fight’s promoter. Despite a decision by the Texas Supreme Court just one day before Corbett sent this letter, a decision that stated no Lone Star State law prohibited pugilistic exhibitions, Culberson called a special session of the state legislature to “denounce prizefighting...and prohibit the same.”

A decision to move the contest to Arkansas did not fare well, either, as the governor in that state had both Corbett and Fitzsimmons arrested in order to prevent the fight. In November, a month after the fight was to take place, Corbett further complicated matters by returning from the ring to focus on acting—much to the chagrin of Stuart, who along with his business partners had made plans to film the bout. In 1897, presumably still feeling fine, Corbett finally stepped into the ring against Fitzsimmons in Nevada...where the Englishman claimed the championship title. Fighting words from one of pugilism’s greatest competitors.
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