Pre-War Cards

‘It’s In The Details’

Title	Jack Johnson / James Jeffries Cockfighting Postcards
Year	1910
Size	3 1/2″ x 4 1/2″
Images	Color
Type	Postcards
Number in Set	6

1910 Jack Johnson / James Jeffries Cockfighting Postcards Overview

The James Jeffries and Jack Johnson fight in 1910 was billed as the “Fight of the Century.” It featured Johnson, a black champion, vs. white challenger James Jeffries. While race in sports is generally downplayed these days, at the time, the race of the two fighters was the largest issue of the fight for fans, many of whom wanted to see Jeffries come out victorious.

Johnson dominated his older opponent and ultimately won in the 15th round. This set obviously would have been printed before the fight occurred as it depicts Jeffries as the apparent winner. Four of the six known postcards favor Jeffries with Johnson landing a punch on only one.

The postcards picture color cartoon images of Jeffries and Johnson. Their heads appear on the heads of roosters fighting each other with captions at the bottom. Unfortunately no identifying markings are printed on the fronts or on the simple backs with a divided layout. Fronts have a cream-colored background.

The postcards start at approximately $30-$40 in low-grade condition but can sell for closer to $100 when in better shape.

1910 Jack Johnson / James Jeffries Cockfighting Postcards Checklist

1. Black lands with a left jolt
2. Black takes the count, white the victor
3. Black and white in a finish fight
4. White drove a right and left to the head
5. White shot a right and left to the body
6. White swing a right uppercut to the jaw

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