The Roar of the Crowd, Signed and Inscribed by James J. Corbett, 1926

Corbett, James J. The Roar of the Crowd. New York: Garden City Publishing Company, 1926. Early printing signed and inscribed by James J. Corbett. Presented in original boards and dust jacket and housed in a matching custom slipcase.

This early printing of James J. Corbett’s the Roar of the Crowd: The Rise and Fall of a Champion is a delightfully written autobiography of the famous boxer’s career. Colloquially written, the book begins with Corbett’s first fight as a child and ends with the aftermath of his last fight. Two separate inscriptions are pasted on the book’s first end pages. The first reads, “Sincerely, Jas J. Corbett April 25/28.” while the second reads, “To my dear friend Judge Corbett with warmest regards, Jas J. Corbett April 25/28.”

James J. Corbett is considered the father of modern boxing. “Gentleman Jim,” as he was known throughout his career, grew up boxing in a time when the sport was illegal in many jurisdictions even though it had a major role in social life. Understanding that the fight began far before the first bell rang, Corbett was the first to effectively use scientific boxing. He studied his opponent’s techniques and would enter the ring with a strategy bringing a newfound sense of class and study to what many through was a beastly sport. Making use of his psychological edge, the boxer quickly gained popularity and eventually won the Heavyweight title in 1892 after defeating John L. Sullivan. Corbett retained his title until 1897 when he was defeated by Bob Fitzsimmons. Afterwards, Corbett’s career waned and he eventually retired in 1903 and was inducted into Ring magazine’s hall of fame in 1954. James Corbett was beloved by his fans throughout his career and made a long and lasting impact on the sport. This autobiography provides a charming and insightful look into the athlete’s personal experiences, defeats, and triumphs.

CONDITION:

Age appropriate wear. The book’s original red cloth boards with black embossed writing are in good condition. The binding is slightly loose with sunning along the spine and some wear along the edges. The signature pieces have been pasted onto the first two end pages. One inscription is in dark blue ink and the second in black. Both are clear, dark, and legible. The pages are in very good condition with no tears and only minor discoloration along the edges from age. The original matching red dust jacket has some loss along the spine but all text is still present. The dust jacket is now protected by an archival mylar cover.

The Roar of the Crowd is presented in a custom built matching slipcase according to modern archival standards.

Dimensions: 8 3/4" H x 6" W x 2 1/4" D (with slipcase)