Lot 17. LeRoy Neiman Signed Very Limited Edition Serigraph – “Homage to (Muhammad) Ali.” Widely recognized for his expressionist paintings of athletes and musicians, Neiman placed a large gem mint 10 pencil autograph in the lower right corner of this 1991 serigraph, #172 of only 270 produced. The artist passed away in 2012. In this 28” x 38” brilliantly colored serigraph, Neiman pays tribute to Ali by capturing scenes of the Oct. 19, 1974 “Rumble in the Jungle” in Zaire between Ali and George Foreman. Ali retained the world heavyweight title by knocking Foreman out in the eighth round. Neiman’s artwork presents multiple images of the fighters in significant detail. It even recognizes that the crowd shouted, as Ali entered the ring – “Ali Bomaye,” or “Ali kill him.” The serigraph is professionally matted and framed to 44” x 52.5”. The wood frame has a couple of chips at the back of the top edge that can be seen from the ceiling. The serigraph is mint. It will be the center of attention in any room. Kevin Keating verified Neiman’s signature. NOTE: GALLERIES SELLING NEIMAN LIMITED EDITIONS TYPICALLY OFFER THIS SERIGRAPH AT $9,000 OR MORE UNFRAMED. A COPY SIGNED BY NEIMAN, AS THIS COPY IS, AND BY ALI RECENTLY SOLD AT AUCTION FOR MORE THAN $23,000.
Winning Bid $2,860.
Lot 18. Muhammad Ali Autographed Portrait by Gary Saderup. Impressive 20” x 24” Saderup charcoal print of Ali triple-matted and framed to 32” x 36”. Ali’s autograph, which he dated 2000, is mint 9 and authenticated by Kevin Keating. Saderup’s 1992 print has various horizontal creases, primarily at its edges and extending inward. There are several small cracks in the glass along the bottom edge. The print showing a young Ali is extremely attractive.
Winning Bid $141.
Lot 19. Muhammad Ali Autographed Biography Signed Also by Boxer-Author Jose Torres. Ali signed the title page of “Sting Like a Bee: The Muhammad Ali Story,” and so did the author, fellow Boxing Hall of Fame member Jose Torres. Kevin Keating authenticated their signatures, which are mint 9, and so did JSA Authentication. The 1971 hardback book, a first edition, is ex in a g+ dust jacket. Norman Mailer wrote the preface to the book, and LeRoy Neiman illustrated it with sketches. At the 1956 Olympics, Torres won the silver medal in the middleweight competition. As a pro, he held the light heavyweight championship in 1966 and 1967. Later, he served as president of the World Boxing Organization. He died in 2009. Copies of this book signed by both Ali and Torres are rare. The JSA Auction Letter of Authenticity that comes with the book can be exchanged at a discount for a full JSA LoA.
Winning Bid $121.
Lot 20. First Edition of Norman Mailer’s “The Fight” Signed by the Author and Muhammad Ali. Both men autographed the title page of Mailer’s 1975 book on the championship battle between Ali and George Foreman on Oct. 30, 1974 in Kinshasa, Zaire, which is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Ali regained the world heavyweight title by knocking Foreman out in the eighth round of the “Rumble in the Jungle.” Kevin Keating and JSA Authentication authenticated the autographs, both gem mint 10s. The hardbound book, a stated first edition, is ex in a vg-ex dust jacket. Mailer died in 2007. One of the most recognizable and honored writers of the 20th century, he won two Pulitzer Prizes and a National Book Award. He was one of the founders of “The Village Voice” and one of the originators of creative non-fiction, or new journalism. The winning bidder will receive a JSA Auction Letter of Authenticity, which can be exchanged at a discount for a full JSA LoA.
Winning Bid $201.
Lot 21. Autographed First Edition of “Loser and Still Champion” by Budd Schulberg. Mint 9 title page autograph authenticated by Kevin Keating and JSA Authentication. The hardcover book and price-clipped dust jacket are vg. Schulberg wrote the screenplay for “On the Waterfront.” He is in the International Boxing Hall of Fame as an “observer.” Authentication by both Kevin Keating and JSA Authentication.
Winning Bid $113.
Lot 22. Muhammad Ali Autographed Children’s Book. Ali placed a mint 9 autograph on the title page of this 1974 hardback, which is vg and does not have a dust cover. Titled simply “Muhammad Ali,” the 64-page book was written by Beth P. Wilson, illustrated by Floyd Sowell and published by G. P. Putnam’s Sons. JSA Authentication and Kevin Keating authenticated the autograph. The JSA Auction Letter of Authenticity may be exchanged, at a discount, for a full JSA LoA.
Winning Bid $102.
Lot 23. Bold Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier Autographs on a “Sports Illustrated” Cover. Ali and Frazier are pictured on the cover of the Sept. 15, 1975 issue with promoter Don King, the subject of an article inside. When two of boxing’s best heavyweights met two weeks later in the Philippines, Ali scored a TKO and retained his world heavyweight title. Both Ali and Frazier placed bold signatures on the cover of the magazine. Both autographs are mint 9. Kevin Keating authenticated the signatures. A JSA Auction Letter of Authenticity is also provided; it can be exchanged at a discount for a full JSA LoA. Frazier passed away in 2011.
Winning Bid $301.
Lot 24. Muhammad Ali Signature on the Cover of the April 14, 1980 “Sports Illustrated.” Large mint 9 autograph authenticated by Kevin Keating and JSA Authentication. Ali sports a moustache in the photos in this issue, which focuses on his return to the ring to fight either Larry Holmes or Mike Weaver and earn a purse of as much as $8 million. The JSA Auction Letter of Authenticity can be exchanged for a discount price for a full JSA LoA.
Winning Bid $152.
Lot 25. Muhammad Ali Autographed April 25, 1988 “Sports Illustrated.” Nm-m 8 signature on the cover of the issue, which provides a 24-page update on Ali’s life. The Gary Smith article, with photos by Gregory Heisler, is titled “Ali and His Entourage.” Authenticated by Kevin Keating and JSA Authentication. The JSA Auction Letter of Authenticity can be exchanged for a discount on a full JSA LoA.
Winning Bid $152.
Lot 26. Autographed “Muhammad Ali: The Holy Warrior.” Mint 9 to gem mint 10 signature on the cover of this 1975 first edition 8.5” x 11” softcover by Don Atyeo and Felix Dennis. This “illustrated biography” contains 111 pages of text and photos covering Ali from his boyhood through his epic championship fight in Zaire with George Foreman. Ex book. JSA Authentication and Kevin Keating authenticated the signature. JSA’s Auction Letter of Authenticity may be exchanged, at a discount, for a full LoA.
Winning Bid $113.
Lot 27. Muhammad Ali Autographed March 6, 1964 Issue of “Life” Magazine. Ali placed an nm-m 8 to mint 9 signature on his image. The autograph has been authenticated by Kevin Keating and JSA Authentication. This issue marks Ali’s first appearance on a “Life” cover. It follows his defeat of Sonny Liston for the world heavyweight championship. The magazine devotes six pages to the fight. The JSA Auction Letter of Authenticity can be exchanged for a discount price for a full JSA LoA.
Winning Bid $152.
Lot 28. Muhammad Ali Signed Oct. 23, 1970 Issue of “Life.” This issue covers Ali’s return to boxing after he was stripped of his title and boxing license for refusing military induction. Three days after the cover date, Ali will score a third-round TKO over Jerry Quarry in Atlanta. His signature on the cover displays as nm-m 8 on a somewhat dark background. Authenticated by Kevin Keating and JSA Authentication. The JSA Auction Letter of Authenticity can be exchanged for a discount price on a full JSA LoA.
Winning Bid $185.
Lot 29. Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier Signed “Life” with Mailer’s “Fight of the Century” Coverage. Pulitzer Prize winning author Norman Mailer, one of the originators of new journalism, met the challenge of writing to “Life’s” tight deadline with a superb article for the March 19, 1971 issue. Including photos, it spreads across 13 pages, Frazier defeated Ali to retain the world heavyweight championship. The boxers’ autographs on the cover are large and bold; they display as nm-m 8 against somewhat dark backgrounds. Authentication by Kevin Keating and James Spence Authentication. The JSA LoA can be exchanged for a discount price for a full JSA LoA.
Winning Bid $264.
Lot 30. Muhammad Ali Signed Copy of “Great Moments in Sports: The Muhammad Ali Story.” Mint autograph on the page behind the title page of the 80-page Winter edition of the 1976-77 magazine. The page has a picture of Ali looking at an opened copy of his autobiography “The Greatest.” Above the title on the dust jacket, Ali wrote “Muhammad Al is.” The publication contains articles and color and b&w photos. Authenticated by Kevin Keating and JSA Authentication. The JSA Letter of Authenticity is exchangeable for a full LOA at a discount.
Winning Bid $75.
Lot 31. Scarce Signed Ali Album: “The Adventures of Ali and His Gang Vs. Mr. Tooth Decay!” Ali autographed the label of this 33 1/3 rpm record album, which was issued in 1976. Kevin Keating authenticated the signature, which is large, bold and mint 9. A JSA Auction Letter of Authenticity is also provided; it can be exchanged at a discount for a full JSA LoA. The album jacket and the dust cover both picture Frank Sinatra, Ali, Jayne Kennedy, Richie Havens and Ossie Davis. In the album, Ali and his “Gang” battle Mr. Tooth Decay and his sidekick, Sugar Cuba. The album jacket is ex-m; the record inside is mint, apparently unplayed. The dust cover has heavy corner creases away from the images.
Winning Bid $77.
