1908 Jack London Signed Calling Card - Signed While Covering the Historic Jack Johnson/Tommy Burns Heavyweight Championship Fight

Sold For:

$300

Year:

1908

Auction:

2015 Spring

Lot #:

1246

Category:

Historical/Political/Pop Culture/Americana

Calling card signed by Jack London (1876-1916), American writer and novelist. What makes this signed card all the more desirable for collectors is that London signed it while in Australia during his coverage of the historic Tommy Burns/Jack Johnson heavyweight title bout. The calling card, which bears the name of his wife, "Mrs. Jack London," printed on the front is inscribed in black fountain pen on the reverse "Jack London/Sydney, Australia/Dec 23, 1908." Both the signature and text grade "9." London was employed as a reporter by the New York Herald at the time and was in Australia to cover the fight between Tommy Burns and Jack Johnson, held in Sydney on December 26, 1908. That bout marked the first time a black fighter (Johnson) was given the opportunity to vie for the heavyweight championship. Johnson took full advantage of that opportunity and easily defeated Burns in fourteen rounds. In his report of the fight, London clearly conveyed the nature of the mismatch: "The fight? There was no fight. No Armenian massacre could compare with the hopeless slaughter that took place today. The fight, if fight it could be called, was like that between a pygmy and a colossus." The card (2.75 x 2 inches) remains in Near Mint condition. Together with a 5 x 7-inch black-and-white photographic print of Jack London. LOA from James Spence/JSA. Reserve $100. Estimate $300+. SOLD FOR $300