JO Sports Inc.
HISTORY: James John "Jim" Corbett (September 1, 1866 – February 18, 1933) was an American professional boxer and a World Heavyweight Champion, best known as the only man who ever defeated the great John L. Sullivan (hence the "man who beat the man" concept of the championship boxing lineage.) Despite a career spanning only 20 bouts, Corbett faced the best competition his era had to offer, squaring off with a total of nine fighters who would later be enshrined alongside him in the International Boxing Hall of Fame. Corbett introduced a truly scientific approach to boxing, in which technique triumphed over brute force. He pioneered the daily boxing training routine and regimen, which was adopted by other boxers elsewhere and has survived to modern days almost intact. A "big-money fighter," Corbett was one of the first athletes whose showmanship in and out of the ring was just as good as his boxing abilities. He was also arguably the first sports sex symbol of the modern era after the worldwide airing of his championship prizefight against Robert Fitzsimmons popularized boxing immensely among the female audience. He did so in an era in which prizefighting was illegal in 21 states and was still considered among the most infamous crimes against morality. He also pursued a career in acting, both before and after his boxing career. Offered here is an original, circa early 1890's stone lithographic poster for the play After Dark put out by Corbett's manager William Brady and starring James J. Corbett.
FULL DESCRIPTION: This is an original, stone lithographic poster which pictures James J. Corbett (on the left) in a fight scene with an insert picture of Corbett's manager William A. Brady. Produced by H.A. Thomas & Wylie Lith. Company of New York. Professionally linen backed. Bold color and print. Bold, clear images. Clean with no staining. Has mild restoration at edges and original folds. Not creased or torn. 30" x 40." Exceedingly rare.
