Of all Jack Johnson's sins, the one that would get him into the most trouble was his love of white women. He actually was married to a black woman and had several other relationships which ended badly, deciding in 1908 that he would only go out with white women. He was married until 1912 to a woman who ended up committing suicide, but that relationship was somewhat hidden. When he met this woman, Lucille Cameron and married her in 1912, it was a firestorm. He was arrested and further marginalized for this flaunting of traditional values and the events surrounding his inter-racial marriage would ultimately be his undoing. The offered 1912 photograph is from a famous sitting Johnson did with his girlfriend (not yet his wife), but this is the first example of this exact pose we have ever seen. Despite some creasing and wear, the photo is precise and crystal clear. Both look uneasy about the situation, and unsure about the future, but they loved each other and managed to stay together through Johnson's arrest and conviction. A rare piece of boxing history that is being offered here individually for the first time ever. An incredibly important piece of sports history and the only example of this photograph known to exist! Note, the 1919 date on the back is from when the Detroit Press stamped all their old images and not when the photo was produced which is absolutely from 1912.

Size: 7.5x9
Designation: Vintage 1
Condition: 2/5
Quality: 5/5
Overall Grade: 7/10