Spring Premier Auction 2013

This is a marvelous and important treasure from the Fight of the Century between Jack Johnson and James Jeffries, a designation that has held up handsomely despite being pronounced a mere 10 years into the century in question. The medal is high-grade silver and produced of superior craftmanship (six hallmarks are presented on the reverse), made by Vaughtons, Letd., goldsmiths and silversmiths in Birmingham, England. The medal was commissioned by the Mirror of Life, a British magazine published over a 31-year span from 1894-1924 and variously retitled over that tenure, with the final volumes being Boxing World and the Mirror Life. The date of issuance is thought to be shortly after the historic fight on July 4, 1910. The medal was available for purchase through the magazine and its quality (and undoubtedly its cost) was indicative of the esteem in which boxing was held in England at the time. On the front it shows bust of the two legendary fighters and the words "Memento of Contest," the date and their names. At the top of the piece is a banner section with "Mirror of Life" set apart with highlighted blue paint. On the reverse it says "Johnson Won in 14 rounds, 2 Mts 27 Secs." The medallion appears to be in superior condition, essentially Ex-Mt, jostled only a bit by the expected silver tarnishing after more than a century and a smidge of loss of the blue paint on the "Mirror of Life" banner on the front. Comes in a crushed blue velvet presentation box of 2 3/4-by-4 inches in dimension.