Legendary boxer (1863–1917) who was the sport’s first three-division world champion, winning the middleweight title in 1891, the heavyweight title in 1897, and the light-heavyweight title in 1903. Scarce, bold, and desirable vintage ink signature, “Robert Fitzsimmons,” circa 1890s, on an off-white 5.5 x 4 sheet of Beck’s Summer Resort, Rye, NY, stationery. Matted and framed with a full-length image of Fitzsimmons in his prime, and a cigarette card, to an overall size of 12.25 x 17. In fine condition, with a mild shade of toning, and a horizontal fold above signature.
Fitzsimmons typically fared well in boxing matches in New York State in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, around the same time he signed this stationery. Although he lost the World Heavyweight title to James J. Jeffries during a Coney Island bout in 1899, he would go on to defeat Ed Dunkhorst in Brooklyn, Gus Ruhlin in New York City, and Tom Sharkey in Coney Island in three 1900 fights. A rare and attractive piece of pugilist history from around the time of Fitzsimmons’ heavyweight reign. Pre-certified Steve Grad/PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
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