JOHNSON, JACK SIGNED WORLD'S FAIR POSTER

HISTORY: John Arthur "Jack" Johnson (March 31, 1878 – June 10, 1946), nicknamed the Galveston Giant, was an American boxer, who—at the height of the Jim Crow era—became the first African American world heavyweight boxing champion (1908–1915). Johnson went on to become one of the most dominant champions of his time, and remains a significant historical figure in heavyweight boxing history, with his 1910 fight against James J. Jeffries being dubbed the "fight of the century."[4] Johnson was faced with much controversy when he was charged with violating the Mann Act in 1912, even though there was an obvious lack of evidence and the charge was largely racially based. In a documentary about his life, Ken Burns notes that "for more than thirteen years, Jack Johnson was the most famous and the most notorious African-American on Earth". At the Chicago World's Fair in 1934 Johnson presided at a booth, ringing the changes on his time-tried spiel and impressing Gilmer Black, the Chicago architect and sportsman, as extremely affable and most remarkably light on his feet. During this engagement he joined Sally Rand and Samuel Insull in autographing a drum and appeared in an "exhibition boxing bout" with the veteran heavyweight Sailor Tom Sharkey. Sharkey rushed at his opponent with serious intent, but Johnson easily held him off or pinioned his arms, flashing a gold-mouthed smile at the spectators and reproving Sharkey. "What you aim to do to me, Tom? What you tryin' to do?" Offered here is an original poster of Jack Johnson for his appearance at the 1934 World's Fair in Chicago. Johnson has boldly signed the poster in ink.

FULL DESCRIPTION: This is an original, cardboard poster which pictures Johnson in full fight pose. Manufactured by Globe Poster Corp. of Chicago with their name along the bottom border. Bold color and print. Bold, clear image. Boldly signed in ink, "Jack Johnson Dec 19-41." Has some corner creasing. Two small spot stains and minor, light soiling. 14" x 22." Professionally framed to 22 1/2" x 31."