JOHNSON, JACK ORIGINAL BROADSIDE (1908)

Jack Johnson had been unable to force a match with Tommy Burns and followed him first to England and then to Australia, where the two finally fought on December 26, 1908. Johnson also made a stop in Ireland. Burns eventually accepted a $30,000 guarantee from promoter, Snowy Baker, a huge sum for those days. Inside the first 20 seconds Burns was down, having taken a heavy right uppercut to the jaw, and he was soon dropped again from a similar blow. Fighting courageously, Burns threw everything he had at a goading Johnson, but it was not enough. Down again from a left to the body in the seventh, Burns did his utmost, but Johnson appeared to be toying with him, calling him names and ridiculing him. Round after round Johnson failed to put Burns out of his misery until the 14th when he battered the champion to the floor with a constant barrage of blows. Having got up at ‘eight’, Burns was there to be taken, but with the crowd at fever pitch the police asked the referee to stop the contest to save the Canadian from being badly hurt. Jack Johnson was the first African American to win the world heavyweight title. While in Ireland chasing Burns Johnson actually proclaimed himself world champion and was open to fighting challengers. Offered here is an original broadside/poster from his period in Ireland, picturing Jack Johnson, declaring him world champion and offering to take on competition. Exceedingly rare and early poster of Johnson.
This is an original, paper, on site poster which pictures Jack Johnson. Bold print. Image is clear of a young Jack Johnson. Has several mild creases. Minor edge wear. 6 1/4" x 10." We have not seen another.