Robert Fitzsimmons
autographed quote signed

 

 

A quote from a 1795 song by Scottish poet Robert Burns "a man a man for a that"... Robert Fitzsimmons has boldly signed and dated this slip of paper July 15th, 1907 in black ink while in New York... This was signed just two days before being knocked out by future world heavyweight champion Jack Johnson in two rounds in Philadelphia, Pa. ... A rare signature in any form

 

 

measures: 2.75 x 6.75"

condition: a few very mild creases and a trivial
rust mark
to lower right,
otherwise fine

sold

 

 

 
 


FROM THE BOOKS

 
      An average pugilist's career is anything but a long one.; most either retire early or finish with a record, say, of some thirty bouts spread over a period of seven to ten years. Yet it was no less than twenty-seven years after his debut in the ring that Fitzsimmons fought such a powerful foe as Jack Johnson, who was then still some year short of capturing the world title!
    Longevity is the true test of class and, during his career, Fitz went into action 369 times, meeting practically all the top men of his time. His term of service spanned three distinct fighting generations. In his early days John L. Sullivan, Jake Kilrain and Peter Jackson were in their prime; even old-timers like Jem Mace and his rival, Joe Goss, were still to be seen strutting the exhibition boards.
    Later, Bob was in the thick of the action when such as Corbett, Sharkey, Maher, Ruhlin and Jeffries were at the fore. Continuing after these luminaries had gone, he was still battling for honors in the ring when Johnson, Burns and "Philadelphia" Jack O'Brien hit the headlines.
 
 


Peter McInnes-Bob Fitzsimmons Lonsdale Souvenir Issue
 

 
 

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