Heavyweight boxing champion of the world, 1908-1915; his achievements in and out of the ring created an unprecedented storm of racially charged controversy. Vintage fountain pen signature, “Jack Johnson, Former Heavyweight Champion of the World,” on a 5.5 x 2.75 blue card from the Albert R. Chestnut collection. In fine condition, affixed to a slightly larger orange-colored sheet, with a small photo attached to the left blank area and a vertical crease along left edge affecting nothing. From his Pennsylvania home, Chestnut, a printer by profession, began collecting autographs in 1935. He sent these personally-printed cards to over a thousand celebrities and received favorable replies from the vast majority, finally retiring from collecting to raise his family when postage increased from 2¢ per card! Pre-certified Steve Grad/PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
