Max Baer & Jack Dempsey

Max Baer (February 11, 1909 - November 21, 1959) and Jack Dempsey (June 24, 1895 – May 31, 1983), classic heavyweight boxing champions of the world, authentic, autographed and inscribed vintage photograph.

Black-and-white photograph depicting Dempsey and Baer mugging in the ring, taken on May 28, 1934. Inscribed, “To my pal Red, lots of luck, Jack Dempsey” and “Me too ‘Red,’ your pal of 23 years, Max Baer, 1959.” Baer has noted the boxer’s ages at the time the photograph was taken on the print: Dempsey was 38, Baer, 25.

This photographic print is inscribed to championship Canadian rodeo rider Robert “Larry” Cameron, known in his riding days as “Calgary Red.” Baer had an impressive career as a boxer, during which time he won the title of Heavyweight Champion of the World in 1934. At the crucial match, he brought Primo Carnera down to the mat 11 times and went on to defend his title during the year that followed. In 1935, after losing his title to James “Cinderella Man” Braddock, Baer began to turn away from boxing and eventually left fighting in 1941, when he transitioned fully to entertaining and acting. Jack Dempsey had befriended Baer early in Baer’s career after Baer had killed a man in the ring in 1930, an event which devastated him. Dempsey— the “Manassa Mauler”— boasted a record-breaking boxing career (64-6-9, with 49 knockouts) that ended with the notorious “Battle of the Long Count.”

Approximately 7 x 9.5 inches in size. Fine condition.