[Boxing] [O'Brien, “Philadelphia Jack”] Boxing Silk

(Newcastle, England), June 25, 1901. Boxing silk for the English heavyweight championship fight between "Philadelphia Jack" O’Brien and Englishman Harry Newmier, with portrait of O'Brien at center, approximately 25 x 29 1/2 in. (635 x 749 mm). Loss along edges; tattered with separations and losses; old staining in right side.

An exceptionally rare boxing silk for the English heavyweight championship fight between "Philadelphia Jack" O'Brien and Englishman Harry Newmier, held on June 25, 1901 in Newcastle, England. "A thumping affair. Both stood toe to toe mixing things at lightning gait, fighting in holds and rolling on the floor together." (The Bulletin, August 17, 1901, p. 24). O'Brien won the bout in a knockout in the sixth round, defending the heavyweight title he had won in his previous fight against George Crisp.

O'Brien (1878-1942) was one of the greatest light heavyweight fighters of all time. Standing five feet ten inches tall, he was known for his agility and his swift cutting left jabs. He began fighting in 1896, and by 1900 was considered one the most promising and up and comers in the ring in the United States. Due to the number of able men in his weight group in America, O'Brien conceived the idea to fight in England, "where, he heard, competition was softer" (Liebling, Back Where I Came From, p. 116). During his 1902 tour he fought 14 matches, winning all of them, with five knockouts, including the above six-round slugfest.

O'Brien returned to Philadelphia toward the end of 1902, where he was met with a hero's greeting by the Mayor and over 10,000 cheering spectators. Upon his return he dominated American boxing, and in 1905 defeated Bob Fitzsimmons for the heavyweight title. During his career, O'Brien fought 192 matches, winning 147 (including 55 KO's). He was inducted to the World Boxing Hall of Fame in 1987, and the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1994.

These boxing silks were typically produced by the promoter's of the respective matches as souvenirs. We have not been able to locate another example of this silk in the auction record.

A Philadelphia and boxing rarity.

This lot is located in Philadelphia.