HOLMES, LARRY-GERRY COONEY ORIGINAL ARTWORK BY IDA LIBBY DENSGROVE

HISTORY: On June 11, 1982 World Heavyweight Champion Larry Holmes defended his title against undefeated challenger Gerry Cooney at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada. This was a much anticipated bout between two quality fighters, which was somewhat overlooked due to the racial tone the fight took with a black champion facing a white challenger. Despite that, the fight lived up to its hype and proved to be one of the finest efforts of Larry Holmes' career. Holmes, in great shape, was sharp from the outset. He was able to withstand Cooney's heavy punching and inflicted punishment of his own which gradually wore Cooney down. A barrage in the 13th round put Cooney down and the fight was stopped. Offered here is the original artwork of noted artist Ida Libby Densgrove depicting Cooney landing a hard left on the jaw of Holmes. Ida Libby Leibovitz was born in Philadelphia, where she later graduated, in 1940, from Moore College of Art and Design. She taught art in the city's public school system until World War II, which she spent touring the United States for the U.S.O., sketching servicemen. A portrait painter away from court, Mrs. Dengrove worked as a courtroom illustrator for NBC-TV from 1973 to 1986. It allowed her to take her sketch pad where cameras were forbidden and capture the proceedings in her own distinctive style. Her pictorial reportage won two Emmy awards. She was cited for her newscast illustrations of the sensational Son of Sam trial of David Berkowitz (1977-78), and again for the Murder at the Met trial (1980-81) of Craig S. Crimmins, the stagehand convicted of slaying a young violinist, Helen Hagnes Mintiks. She sketched the principals in the trial of Jean Harris for the murder of Dr. Herman Tarnower and documented court appearances by John Lennon, Senator Harrison A. Williams Jr., John W. Hinckley Jr., John J. Gotti and Gen. William C. Westmoreland, to name a few. Some of her sketches, meant for television, also turned up on the front pages of newspapers.

FULL DESCRIPTION: This is an original, color charcoal drawing on paper. Vibrant color with perfect likenesses. Name of artist in lower left corner. Minor edge and corner wear. No creases or tears. 14" x 17."