[Belle Époque] Corbett, James John "Gentleman Jim". (1866 - 1933) & Van, Billy B. (1878 - 1950)
Signed Photograph
Rare signed photograph of the first gloved heavyweight boxing champion of the world, 1892–1897, who defeated the great John L. Sullivan. Knockout oversize (approx. 10 x 13 inch) portrait of Corbett and Billy B. Van, prominent entertainer in the early decades of the 1900s who was a star, progressively, in minstrel shows, vaudeville, burlesque, the New York stage, and movies. Corbett and Van appeared together in a sketch called "Spirited Travesty" in 1922 as part of a variety show and together they toured the US and Europe.Van has inscribed "To Teeney + Sammy - The Sweetest little couple in the World, Billy B. Van" with Corbett signing beside "Jas. J. Corbett."
With significant condition issues: upper left corner perished, edges rough and with a tear extending just beside Corbett's signature, clumsily repaired with tape. Nevertheless, a rare signed item from the understudied period of acting and minstrelsy in one of boxing's most historic careers. Sold together with a promotional postcard photograph of the vaudeville team Sam Berk and Juanita Sawn ("in a Dainty Offering"), the recepients of the inscribed photograph. (6218)
Signed Photograph Recreation & Leisure