ADDENDUM:  Johnson became the Heavyweight Champion in 1908 thus this photo is prior to his seven-year reign as World Heavyweight Champion as is stated in the printed catalog.

Simply amazing, this Chickering Imperial Cabinet Card is the finest we have handled of immortal boxing champ Jack Johnson. Circa 1905, this would place the Galveston Giant in his mid-20s. Immaculately clad in suit and bowler hat, Johnson's image measures approximately 6.5x9", with the full card stretching to 11x14". Johnson's flowing signature in black fountain ink along with a personalized "with best wishes" inscription spans the bottom border. Slight restoration to a few pinholes and bottom left corner, with notations, some paper loss and staining on back. This remains an incredible artifact of the first Black Heavyweight Champion in history, whose career and era marked him as one of the most dominant and controversial athletes of all time. As powerful as the man himself. Comes with PSA LOA.