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Reno,NV - Washoe County - 1910 - World's Championship Battle, Round 1 (Enhanced Photograph) :

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Photographic Images Start Price:250.00 USD Estimated At:500.00 - 1,000.00 USD
Reno,NV - Washoe County - 1910 - World's Championship Battle, Round 1 (Enhanced Photograph) :
A classic view of Jack Johnson and Jim Jeffries in a "clinch" during the 1st round of "The Fight of the Century," on July 4th 1910, in Reno, NV. The photograph measures 16 x 11", mounted on dark backing with a light colored matte inside a black wooden frame measuring 22 x16 1/2". The frame has several slight scratches with one larger scratch noted along the left edge. The contrast is high while the focus is good. The paper backing on the reverse is torn along the right edge, with "Championship Fight 1910" printed in brown ink in the upper right corner. The enhancement of the image causes the spectators faces to be indistinguishable. It also highlights the two men and the banner reading "James E. Pepper Whisky, Born With The Republic," which appears to have been added to the image at a later date above the heads of the crowd. No photographer is listed. In this image Johnson has his back to the camera, while Jeffries is looking towards it. Jeffries appears to have taken several punches to the right side of his face already, as evidenced by the discoloration next to and below his right eye (may be exacerbated by lighting and camera angle). This is the first of 45 rounds scheduled, with the fight lasting 15 rounds. The caption below the image is "World's Championship Battle, July 4, 1910 - Round 1." The spectators numbered 20,000, at a ring built just for the occasion in downtown Reno, Nevada. The "Fight of the Century" earned Johnson $65,000 while silenced critics who felt that Johnson's victory over Tommy Burns was "empty," and that Burns was a false champion following Jeffries retirement as the undefeated champion.