MADDEN, BILLY SIGNED LETTER (1898)

Billy Madden (1852–1918) is best known as a champion American boxer or pugilist, and pugilistic trainer, and manager. He was also a playwright, writer of books and newspaper articles, the producer of sporting events other than pugilistic, such as wrestling matches and women's marathon bicycle races. Billy Madden was born on December 10, 1852, in London England of Irish immigrant parents, and died February 22, 1918 in White Plains, New York after a protracted illness; reportedly a stomach cancer. Although some sources report that he came to the United States as a boxer, he would have been in his very early teens at that time. His first recorded prize fight, in the United States was against Hurley, at age 15. As a welter weight pugilist he won numerous documented fights in the United States and was involved in numerous exhibition matches ( in the US and abroad) with notable fighters such as Sullivan, McAuliffe, and Kilrain. Purportedly, he never was punched in the face. Billy Madden was probably the best known of the late 19th Century American boxing managers. He was reportedly the first to use modern advertising techniques and campaigns to create laudable careers for the pugilists he managed. He was credited with discovering and was indeed the manager of John L. Sullivan, as well as such other noteworthy fighters as Charlie Mitchell, "Nonpariel" Jack Dempsey, Jake Kilrain, McAuliffe, Peter Maher, among others. Reportedly, he coined the term "Knock-Out" and the phrase "the hand is quicker than the eye". His international reputation was for being "on the level" and he was highly respected in sporting circles. His friendship with sports writer and lawman Bat Masterson was of long standing, as was his friendship with Theodore Roosevelt, the newspaper reporter, sports writer, Governor of New York State and President of the United States. Billy Madden's obituary in the New York Times of February 22, 1918 notes that Madden had a versatile career: as well as his sports experience, he was nominated to run for the New York legislature from the fifth district of Brooklyn in 1906. According to the October 16th, 1906 Gilliams Press Syndicate, he was nominated by The Independent League of New York as their candidate for the New York State Senate. The Press Syndicate quoted him as saying " If I go to Albany I will hand a few jolts to the Trusts to show them they cannot control me. I am for the Poor People - You Bet!". In his obituary in the New York Times it was noted that Billy Madden wanted to be known as a self-made man. Billy Madden was inducted, as a Boxing Manager, into the Bare Knuckles Boxing Hall of Fame in 2010. Offered here is an original hand written letter dated March 2, 1898 which has been boldly signed in ink by Billy Madden. The letter written to Walter Schlicter discusses awaiting a contract for a proposed fight for heavyweight contender Gus Ruhlin.
This is an original, one page letter on lined hotel stationary. Boldly written in ink. Includes original folds. Minor tear at bottom center border. Clean front and back. Very minor toning. 5 3/4" x 9." Extremely rare autograph