TUNNEY, GENE-JACK DEMPSEY I SOUVENIR PIN (1926)

HISTORY: On September 23, 1926 at Sesquicentennial Stadium in Philadelphia in front of a crowd of 120,557 Jack Dempsey defended his heavyweight tile against Gene Tunney. Tunney, the better boxer, avoided the powerful blows of Dempsey and won a unanimous ten round decision and the title. The National Town & Country Club was an exclusive, high-profile organization whose roster featured globally famous figures, and Gene Tunney was accepted as an elite member of the club.The relation to the historic September 23, 1926, heavyweight championship bout in Philadelphia highlights the cultural and class contrast between the two fighters:The High-Society Connection: In the weeks following the match, media coverage noted that the scholarly, book-reading, and newly crowned heavyweight champion Gene Tunney was a prominent member of this prestigious club alongside other sporting icons like tennis legend Bill Tilden.The "Special" Context: During the roaring 1920s, elite social institutions like the National Town & Country Club frequently hosted "Specials"—which could refer to dedicated press updates, prominent promotional distributions, or luxury travel arrangements (such as special train cars) designed exclusively to transport affluent members and high-society millionaires to major sporting events like the Dempsey-Tunney fight. This affiliation underscored Tunney's identity as a tactical, high-society gentleman, standing in stark contrast to Jack Dempsey's background as a rugged, ferocious, and wildly popular street brawler.

Offered here is a very rare souvenir pin of the Jack Dempsey-Gene Tunney I fight which was issued for this fight by Tunney's National Town & Country Club.

FULL DESCRIPTION: This is a very rare souvenir pin of the Jack Dempsey-Gene Tunney I fight which was issued for this fight by Tunney's National Town & Country Club. This is an original, metallic, souvenir pin which includes an attached ribbon. Printed on the ribbon is, "DEMPSEY VS TUNNEY FIGHT PHILADELPHIA SEPT. 23. 1926." Pin firmly attached to back. Bold color. No dents. Perfectly intact. Manufacturer label on back of pin for Whitehead & Hoag, a notable pin maker of the era. Some fraying at bottom of ribbon. Exceptionally rare. 1 3/4"  x 4".

Exceedingly rare, the first we have seen.