JJ-Portrait-LR

Jack Johnson. 1 of 5 Portraits in a Portfolio of 5 Portraits @ $1,200. 8 3/4” x 11 3/4”. Archival Pigment Print on Hahnemuhle Etching Paper. Edition size of 20 + 3 A/P




Jack Johnson

The Brunette In A Blond Town

Listen to Jack Johnson’s story

Jack Johnson, the Galveston Giant and the man with the Golden Smile, was the first black heavyweight champion of the world and also the first black man allowed to fight for that tittle. While it’s supposed to be that a boxers greatest challenge is in the ring that couldn’t have been further from the truth in Johnson’s life. Due to blinding racial fears and prejudice he was denied his chance for years on end. Notably, undefeated Champion Jim Jeffries, retired from the ring in order to avoid the dangerous Johnson. The title, now vacant, was up for grabs in a match between Jack Root and Marvin Hart. Hart won the belt and held it briefly before losing it to Tommy Burns in a 20 round decision. Johnson deserved a shot at the title, but Burns refused and went on a world wide tour in order to avoid him. Determined not to be denied his title shot Johnson chased Burns from California to London to Paris demanding a fight. Burns hoping to avoid Johnson made an outrageous demand of $30,000, the largest amount earned by a boxer to that point in time. Undeterred Johnson said “take the fight” agreeing to receive just $5,000 as his purse, and all of a sudden Australian promotor Hugh D. ( Huge Deal ) McIntosh had himself a Heavyweight Championship fight. The fight took place outside of Sydney, Australia on December 26, 1908 and was a mismatch as Johnson taunted and played with Burns for 14 rounds giving him the beating of his life and taking the belt. Johnson now had his Championship and sweet revenge. His win however was bittersweet.

Instead of the victory ending the anger and acrimony towards him it only set ablaze more hatred and inflamed the white boxing world into searching for A Great White Hope. Finally former champion Jim Jeffries was persuaded into coming out of retirement to beat Johnson and restore the natural order of white supremacy.

The fight was dubbed The Fight Of The Century and took place on July 4, 1910 in front of 22,000 fans in Reno, Nevada. The public’s emotions were high and hot and there were death threats aimed at Johnson. As a precaution McIntosh posted armed guards at all the entrances to prevent men from bringing guns into the arena. The fight lasted 15 rounds with Johnson mugging to the crowd, battering Jeffries at will, and almost never himself being hit. It was a virtuoso demonstration of Johnson’s elegant ring mastery and unparalleled defensive skills. Jeffries had no answer. After the fight a humbled Jeffries said of Johnson “I could never have whipped him at my best, I couldn’t have hit him. No, I couldn’t have reached him in a thousand years.” Johnson’s purse was $117,000 and there were race riots all across the country.

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JJ-Etta-LR2

Jack and Etta Johnson. 28 1/4” x 37 3/4”. Silk Screen print on Coventry Rag. Edition size of 22 @ $975.




JJ-Driving-LR3

Jack Johnson and the Motor Car. 25 1/2” x 23 3/4”. Silk Screen Print on Coventry Rag. Edition size of 19 @ $675.




JJ-Etta-LR2

Jack and Etta Johnson. 38” x 28 1/8” Silk Screen Print on 330 GSM Red Plike Soft Touch. Edition size of 9 @ $975.




JJ-Driving-Red

Jack Johnson and the Motor Car. 23 7/8” x 25 1/2” Silk Screen Print on 330 GSM Red Plike Soft Touch. Edition size of 9 @ $675




JJ-Etta-LR2

Jack and Etta Johnson. 38” x 28 1/8” Silk Screen Print on 330 GSM Graphite Plike Soft Touch. Edition size of 9 @ $975.




JJ-Driving-Red

Jack Johnson and the Motor Car. 23 7/8” x 25 1/2” Silk Screen Print on 330 GSM Graphite Plike Soft Touch. Edition size of 9 @ $675




StanJack-LR

Stanley Ketchel and Jack Johnson fight October 16, 1909. 41 1/2” x 27 1/2”. Silk Screen Print on Coventry Rag. Edition of 20 @ $1,500.




Ketchel took Lamont’s advice traveling to Butte, Montana where he had over 250 amateur fights before turning pro and gaining a record of 64 fights 53 wins with 48 knockouts 5 loses 5 draws and 1 no contest.

Notable in his storied life was his 1909 fight with Heavyweight Champion Jack Johnson who was 35 pounds heavier and by 6” the taller man. In the 12th round of that fight Ketchel surprised Johnson by landing a hard right to the Champion’s jaw dropping him to the canvas for a short count. Johnson rose, not amused, and with one powerful punch knocked Ketchel unconscious. Pictures of that fight show Johnson picking Stanley’s teeth out of his glove.

The following year saw Stanley in a downward spiral winning some fights, losing others but personally in physical and emotional decline. Ketchel needing resurrection took friend Pete Dickerson up on his offer to recuperate at his ranch and prepare for a rematch with Johnson.

JJ-Etta-LR2

Stanley Ketchel and Jack Johnson fight. October 16, 1909. 27 1/2” x 40 1/4” Silk Screen Print on 330 GSM Red Plike Soft Touch. Edition size of 9 @ $1,500




JJ-Etta-LR2

Stanley Ketchel and Jack Johnson fight. October 16, 1909. 27 1/2” x 40 1/4” Silk Screen Print on 330 GSM Graphite Plike Soft Touch. Edition size of 9 @ $1,500




Jack-&-Joe-in-cell-copy-2-LR

Jack Johnson & Joe Choynski jailed for “illegal” fight on February 25th, 1901. 6 1/4″ x 11″. Archival Pigment Print on Hahnemuhle Etching paper. Edition 7 + 4 A/P + 1 P/P. $150.




Johnson_Jeffries-w_copyright-lo-res-copy-2

Jack Johnson KO’s Jim Jeffries July 4th, 1910. 14 1/4″ x 11″. Archival Pigment Print on Hahnemuhle Etching Paper. Edition of 10 + 3 A/P. $175.