GANS, JOE LARGE FORMAT ORIGINAL PHOTOGRAPH

Joe Gans was born Joseph Gaines in Baltimore, Maryland on November 25, 1874. He became a professional fighter in 1891. On March 23, 1900 he fought Frank Erne for the World Lightweight Title and was stopped in 12 rounds. A draw with George McFadden later that year and then a disastrous fight with Terry McGovern at the end of the year in which he was stopped in two rounds might have discouraged a lesser fighter. Gans battled back. In 1901 he reversed an earlier loss to Booby Dobbs, stopping twice that year. Following the loss to McGovern he fought 19 times without a loss over the next 14 months which set up a rematch with Erne. This time it was all Gans as he stopped Erne in one round to win the World Lightweight Title. He successfully defended it nine times before relinquishing it in November of 1904. He regained it on September 3, 1906 in an historic fight with Battling Nelson in Goldfield, Nevada in which he won on a foul in round 42. Posted a career mark of 132-9-16 before his career ended in 1909. In addition to Nelson and Erne he defeated Rudy Unholz, Kid Herman, Mike "Twin" Sullivan, Jack Blackburn, Kid McPartland, Jimmy Britt and Gus Gardner. Offered here is a first generation, large format photograph of Joe Gans in full fight pose.
This is a very rare, first generation, oversized photograph of Joe Gans. 20" x 29." Minor edge nicks. No creases. Bold image. No fading. Minor restoration on edges, not affecting the image. This image is particularly scarce and one we have not offered for sale before.