Fight of the Century", The

Chicago: W.J. Jefferson Printing & Publishing Co.,, 1897. First Edition Signed by George Siler & Lou M. Houseman
One of the Rarest Works Relating to the Sport of Boxing

SILER, George. HOUSEMAN, Lou M. The "Fight of the Century", Being a review of the Worlds Championship Contest Between Robert Fitzsimmons and James J. Corbett, Carson City Nev. March 17th 1897. Written by Geo. Siler (Referee) and Lou M. Houseman. Chicago: W.J. Jefferson Printing & Publishing Co., [1897].

First edition signed by George Siler & Lou M. Houseman of one of the rarest works relating to boxing.

Octavo (9 3/4 x 6 5/8 inches; 248 x 168 mm.). [2], 96 pp. (printed on white paper), profusely illustrated with photomechanical woodcut reproductions, some signed by Blomgren Brothers, Chicago. Many photographic reproductions, some full page. The introduction page has a signature in purple ink "Geo? Ryder".

Bound ca. 1950 in full red cloth, spine lettered in gilt. Publisher's pictorial front wrapper showing the two boxers in the ring, title printed in red and blue. Signed in purple ink on the verso Presented with the compliments of the Authors "Geo Siler / Lou M. Houseman".

The front lower edge of the pictorial wrapper has been strengthened with 3/4 inch sellotape (which has browned) and on the verso the fore-edge has been similarly strengthened just touching a few letters of the two signatures. The gutter of the title-page also has a 5 3/4 inch sellotape repair (not touching the print).

Apart from the tape strengthening and repair this is a very good copy of an exceptionally rare booklet. We have been unable to locate any other copies with the wrapper printed in red and blue, the verso of the wrapper signed by the two authors and with 96 pages.

The text is a detailed account of preparations for the contest, descriptions and depictions of the fighters, an illustrated, detailed round-by-round and blow-by-blow account of the fight's fourteen rounds, commentary by various individuals, including referee Siler, and long discussions of the Marquis of Queensbury rules and how they will be applied. Among the prominent images are four full-length views of the contestants, the stadium and ring constructed for the event, the fight in progress, and the consequences of the final knock-out blow. The entire match was underwritten by Dan A. Stuart of Dallas, Texas. This fight is a celebrated event in the history of boxing because it was only the second official heavyweight fight ever. The fight ended suddenly after Fitzsimmons landed a huge blow to Corbett's midsection, what became famous as the Solar Plexus Punch. At the time of the fight, Corbett was recognized as the world heavyweight champion, the title Fitzsimmons won here and held until June 9, 1899. Adding to its importance, it was the first fight ever filmed in its entirety, in this case by Enoch J. Rector and narrated by Nellie Verrill Mighels Davis, the first time a woman reported a prize fight. When released to theaters, it was the longest movie ever shown. "Bob" Fitzsimmons (1863-1917) is the first recognized three-division world champion. He began his boxing career in New Zealand before moving to the U.S., where he spent the rest of his life. He is rated as among the top ten best punchers of all time. James John "Gentleman Jim" Corbett (1866-1933) is called "The Father of Modern Boxing" because of his attempts to apply scientific principles to the sport as opposed to mere raw power. Despite his intense desire for a rematch, Fitzsimmons would never agree to one because of his intense dislike of his opponent. After his boxing career, Corbett had some success as an actor. His most famous fight was his defeat of John L. Sullivan to win the heavyweight title. Siler was the most respected referee of his time and an icon in the history of early modern boxing. Stuart was a Dallas, Texas, businessman who sponsored boxing matches such as this one. One of his famous endeavors was a match between Fitzsimmons and Peter Maher on an island in the Rio Grande opposite Judge Roy Bean's establishment in Langtry, held there so that it would technically be in Mexico and thereby avoid Texas' anti-fighting laws and the Texas Rangers sent to stop it.

"George Siler, who was the chief correspondent of the Chicago Tribune, was the referee of the Fitzsimmons v. Corbett contest. His account of the battle was reputed to be one of the the best things of its kind ever written. The account was printed in book form as above, dealing with the two principals. In his Gentleman Jim (1943), Nat Fleischer mentions The Battle of the Century as being a very rare book..." (Hartley & Snelling. History and Bibliography of Boxing Books, p. 283).

There are two different editions of this extremely rare book. According to OCLC/KVK there are three copies in libraries and institutions worldwide: Libary of Congress (51 pp.); Univ. of Notre Dame (96 pp.) & Tulane Univ. (96 pp.).

Our edition with 96 pp. appears to have the identical text and illustrations set in larger type. It also has the wrapper printed in red and blue and is printed on the verso of the wrapper 'Presented with the compliments of the Authors' and signed in purple ink "Geo Siler / Lou M. Houseman". Our copy is printed on white paper as opposed to the 51 page edition which is printed on pink paper and has a monotone front cover. There does not seem to be any reference to a copy signed by the authors. We think therefor that our 96 pp. signed copy, printed on white paper must have preceded the 51 page copy printed on pink paper.

The only example to have appeared at auction over the past one hundred years was in 2013 - Dorothy Sloane Rare Book Auction - $3,263 (edition not specified).

Hartley & Snelling, 1723 & 1725 (both with 51 pp.).