Portland Wresteling: The First 25 Portland Wrestling Guides Bound ~ With 75-85 Signatures

Portland Wrestling, Vol 1 - Issues 1 - 25; 25 Bound Original Copies of Wrestling Guide. Portland, OR: January 28, 1954 - July 15, 1954. First Edition (possibly the only copy ever bound).

8.25" x 5", The First 25 Issues Of "Wresting Guide." Each pp.1-15, over 350 pages, bound into a book and presented to "Duke." 38 signatures, many with salutations of good wishes signed on front and rear end papers. An additional 37 signatures adjacent to wrestler profiles in the programs. These program booklets were published every Thursday in preparation for TV Wrestling, every Friday Night direct from the Portland Armory, broadcast on KPTV at 10:00 PM. The matches were presented by Don Owen (1912- 2002), Promoter. Owen owned and operated the highly successful Pacific Northwest Wrestling under his parent company, Don Owen Sports. His reputation as the best payoff promoter in the wrestling business resulted in it being one of the most successful regional wrestling circuits. Owen was known for dealing fairly with all his wrestlers, paying them exactly what he promised and never trying to stiff them, a mentality not shared with the vast majority of his fellow promoters. Because of this, every major star in the 1960s and 1970s wished to wrestle in the Northwest. While it is almost certain that the Duke referred to in the inscriptions is Don Owen, none specifically mention so, everyone knew Duke.

The first inscription is from Thelma Hobbs, who was a professional photographer of the matches. The other signatures are from well known personality wrestlers of the era including: Gorgeous George, Don Kindred, "The Brown Bomber"; Pepper Gomez; "The Great Yamato"; Eric "The Great" Pederson, Mr. America '47; Kurt Von Poppenheim and many other popular wrestlers with equally colorful monikers. Near fine in not issued dust jacket. Burnt umber cloth over boards with titling on cover in gilt.

350 plus pages