On 4th July 1910 Black American heavyweight champion Jack Johnson shocked white America by beating ‘Great White Hope’ contender James A. ‘Jim' Jeffries in a 15-round bout held in Reno, Nevada before an audience of 20,000. The result caused riots across the USA and many black Americans were killed or injured. As a result, the film of the fight was banned in many states with large black populations. To circumvent the ban, Jack Johnson was filmed by the American Cinephone Company in street clothes giving a round-by-round description of the fight, and the film was synchronised to two 78rpm discs, recorded by the Columbia Phonograph Co., on or about 24 July 1910. The discs - one 12” double-sided disc and one 10” single sided disc - were never made available to the public and are exceedingly rare - maybe two or three known copies exist; no known copy of the film survives.
On offer is a 12-inch single-sided Columbia Test Pressing of Part 3, which covers rounds 5 to 15. This is Columbia matrix 16452-1. The writing on the label mistakenly gives the date as 1912 and the place as Michigan City; both are incorrect. Also accompanying the disc are copies of correspondence between a previous owner and noted American record collector, the late David Goldenberg, which includes a xerox copy of a 1984 article about the record in ‘Hobbies’ magazine. This really belongs in a museum, such is its rarity, and a starting price of £500, commensurate with its rarity, is in place.
CONDITION: Very Good
Important information for Bidders…
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Do you like top quality pre-war Jazz, Blues, Hot Dance Band and European Jazz 78s? Then don’t miss our regular Auctions and Set Price Sales at the Mark Berresford Rare Records website. We also have 1000s of top quality 78s and associated ephemera in stock, and over 1000 78s to browse through at Matlock Antiques Centre in Derbyshire.
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We have been selling 78 rpm Records, Cylinders, Gramophones, Books, and other fragile items by post for over 40 years, with thousands of satisfied customers worldwide - see our Feedback and read what other customers say about our grading, packing and prompt shipping.We always combine the shipping costs on multiple items to save you money! If you win more than one item ignore eBay's automated invoice and wait for an invoice from us which will show the discounted shipping total.
