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Lot # 235: 1918 Jack Dempsey, "Draft Dodging Publicity Stunt that Almost Ruined Him" Rare Photo

Category: Boxing

Starting Bid: $25.00

Bids: 2 (Bid History)

Time Left: Auction closed
Lot / Auction Closed




This lot is closed. Bidding is not allowed.

Item was in Auction "December Collectors Auction 2020",
which ran from 12/9/2020 3:00 PM to
12/26/2020 8:00 PM



1918 Incredibly rare photograph from the moment that almost derailed the career of Jack Dempsey before it even got started. As an up and coming fighter during WWI, his manager Jack Kearns did not want to lose Dempsey to the fight. Draft dodging however was highly looked down upon so Kearns arranged a publicity stunt in which Dempsey would sign papers to work at the Sun Shipbuilding company to be an essential employee. He put on some overalls and a few pictures were snapped, but he forgot to change his shoes. While this image does not show it, the headlines across America pictured Dempsey in overalls and patent leather shoes, making him a villain and put him on trial for dodging the draft. He survived the scandal, barely, and eventually people forgot, but this photo is a sole reminder of the moment that backfired and almost ruined Jack Dempsey. Stamped on the back by the Ledger photo service, this carries a full paper caption on the back as well. Despite a few spots of paper loss on the front, the image looks good and this is the only example of this photograph we have ever seen.

Size: 6.5x8.5
Designation: Vintage 1
Condition: 3/5
Quality: 5/5
Overall Grade: 8/10

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