1936 The Ring Magazine Original Cover Art by C. R. Schaare Featuring Joe Louis and Jack Dempsey

Sold For:

$3,819

Year:

1936

Auction:

2007 Spring

Lot #:

1393

Category:

Boxing/Golf/Other Cards or Memorabilia

Original oil on board painting by C. R. Schaare used as the cover artwork for the May 1936 issue of The Ring magazine. The classic painting pictures two of the greatest heavyweight boxing champions of all time: Joe Louis and Jack Dempsey. Commissioned as an illustration for the magazine's lead story that month, "Louis or Dempsey - Who would have won?," the painting captures the two fighters as they stand toe to toe. Signed by the artist in the lower right. At the time of this painting Louis had won his first twenty-seven bouts and was considered invincible in the ring, thus the comparisons to Dempsey. Amazingly, just one month later Louis was upset by German boxer Max Schmeling. Louis eventually won the heavyweight title in 1937 and successfully defended it for eleven years, including a decisive victory in his rematch with Schmeling that same year. Joe Louis was a familiar cover subject for the magazine throughout his career. This is one of thirty-one The Ring magazine cover artworks featuring the legendary "Brown Bomber." C. R. Schaare was a very prominent magazine cover artist and book illustrator during the 1930s and 1940s and the in-house artist for The Ring magazine for many years. Still published today, The Ring magazine has long been the nation's number-one publication dedicated to the sport of boxing. Together with an original copy of the May 1936 issue of The Ring magazine (Vg-Ex) featuring this painting on the cover. The painting measures 22 x 28 inches and has been framed to slightly larger dimensions (23.5 x 29 inches). Reserve $500. Estimate $1,000/$1,500. SOLD FOR $3,818.75