JEFFRIES, JAMES J. ORIGINAL ANTIQUE PHOTO (1909)

James Jackson "Jim" Jeffries (April 15, 1875 – March 3, 1953) was an American professional boxer and World Heavyweight Champion. He was known for his enormous strength and stamina. Using a technique taught to him by his trainer, former Welterweight and Middleweight Champion Tommy Ryan, Jeffries fought out of a crouch with his left arm extended forward. He was able to absorb tremendous punishment while wearing his opponents down. A natural left-hander, he possessed one-punch knockout power in his left hook, and brawled his way to the top of the rankings. He is perhaps most famous for being United States "Great White Hope", since the nation expected him to come out of his retirement to beat the African-American boxer Jack Johnson, who was at the time the Heavyweight Champion. Jeffries stood 6 ft 1 1⁄2 in (1.87 m) tall and weighed 225 pounds (102 kg) in his prime. He could run 100 yards (91 m) in just over ten seconds, and could high jump over 6 feet (180 cm). Offered here is an original, first generation photograph of James Jeffries as he looked in fight pose in 1909 as he prepared for Jack Johnson.
This is an original, mounted, first generation photograph. Stamp for Pictorial News Co, at lower right and copyrighted 1909. Bold, clear image. Clean with no staining. Marked at upper right in ink, "Yours to win James J Jeffries" which is not a signature. Two small closed tears on right and left edges. Not creased. Photo is 6 1/2" x 8 1/2." Terrific image.