Jack Dempsey

Jack Dempsey (June 24, 1895 – May 31, 1983), classic heavyweight boxing champion of the world, authentic autographed vintage color lithographic print, by artist James Montgomery Flagg, depicting Dempsey's heavyweight title bout with Jess Willard.

Stunning image of Flagg’s painting of the Dempsey-Willard fight (the original of which hung in Dempsey’s restaurant), inscribed “To my old pal Larry, Best of luck always. Jack Dempsey. P.S. Will see you soon to go hunting with Max.”

The recipient of this inscribed print, Canadian rodeo star Robert “Larry” Cameron, was a close friend of heavyweight champion Max Baer, who worked for Cameron as a spokeman and celebrity “salesman” for his Sacramento auto dealership. 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.” In 1935 he opened a successful restaurant on Broadway between 49th and 50th, at whose cloth-covered tables celebrities gathered and tourists ogled. The original painting for this print, by famous magazine illustrator James Montgomery Flagg, hung in the restaurant.

Approximately 11.5 x 22 inches in size. Vertical fold line and light creases, otherwise fine condition.