JOHN L. SULLIVAN - BOXING WORLD CHAMPION - CABINET CARD - DEC. 21, 1891 - SIGNED

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JOHN L. SULLIVAN - BOXING WORLD CHAMPION - CABINET CARD - DEC. 21, 1891 - SIGNED:
$8500.00

John L. Sullivan (October 15, 1858 – February 2, 1918) was a pioneering American prizefighter and one of the most celebrated athletes of the 19th century. Known as the “Boston Strong Boy” and simply “John L.” to his fans, he became the first heavyweight champion of gloved boxing, holding that title from February 7, 1882, to September 7, 1892. He is also widely regarded as the final heavyweight champion of the bare-knuckle era under the London Prize Ring Rules. A larger-than-life figure in American sports, Sullivan became one of the nation’s first true athletic celebrities and is often considered the first major superstar in boxing.This piece is the corner stone of any boxing enthusiast's collection. The card measures 6.5'' tall x 4.25'' wide. This is a poignant and unique piece -- and there is probably not another example out there like it. In other words, its a one-of-one. Cabinet card photos of John L. Sullivan exist in the marketplace, and some are graded which increases their appeal and demand; HOWEVER, there are no other examples out there that rival this one.
Beckett certified signature as John L. Sullivan's personal secretary signed the card in his name- "non malicious secretarial version" of the boxing heavyweight's signature.The features that make this item so unique are:

Its ink dated - December 21st, 1891 (during his championship era)
John L. Sullivan's personal secretary signed the photo in his name - along with the unique/inspiring caption "Champion of the world"
The writing on the back is specific to the time period. It would have been common vernacular at the time to write - "Good Old Has Was", meaning he was a "washed up" fighter who was falling out of his prime. This was a predictive statement, as it was written on the card toward the end of his reign as boxing champion (i.e. Dec. 21, 1891). The writing/statement all-but foreshadowed his demise as boxing champion a mere few months later.
The writing on the back is messy, and due to the nature of the writing, it is speculated to have been written on the back during an outing at a tavern with John L. Sullivan and his acquaintances.