On July 4, 1910 in Reno, Nevada Jack Johnson defended his World
Heavyweight Title against former champion James J. Jeffries. This was
unquestionably one of the biggest fights of the 20th century.
Jeffries had been convinced by friends and admirers to come out of an
almost five year retirement to attempt to end the reign of the first
African-American to win the coveted crown. It was not to be. Johnson
toyed with Jeffries before stopping him for good in the 15th round.
Presented here is an extremely rare advertising poster for the
viewing of the fight film of the Johnson-Jeffries fight. The poster
is German and pictures Jack Johnson in full fight pose. A stone
lithograph significant not only for the importance of the fight, but
also for the significance of the fight film. Following this fight
there were racial incidents across the United States which caused the
government to place a ban on the viewing of the fight film here. This
lithograph has had some very minor restoration. The original folds of
the paper are still evident. The color is bold and vivid. A rare one
sheet (approximately 26” x 42”) possibly unique.