SULLIVAN, JOHN L. RARE SOUVENIR PIN (1896-98-PSA/DNA)

John L. Sullivan was born on October 15, 1858 in Roxbury, Boston, MA. He is the link between bare knuckles and glove fighting and is considered to be one of the best heavyweights ever. He held the undisputed World Heavyweight Boxing Championship for ten years, winning it in 1882 from Paddy Ryan and losing it in 1892 to James J. Corbett. Other notable fighters he fought and defeated included Jake Kilrain, Charlie Mitchell and Dominic McCaffrey. Presented here is a very rare, circa 1896-1898, souvenir pin for John L. Sullivan.
This is an original John L. Sullivan souvenir pin made by Whitehead & Hoag with their label on back. Bold, clear image. Pin firmly attached. Clean front and back. Small crack in emulsion, outside of the image. 3/4" in diameter. Graded and encased by PSA/DNA as EX-5.