Lot 180. Muhammad Ali Signed Photo – Lighting the Cauldron at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. Comparatively large Ali autograph in gold on a 16” x 20” color composite photo with two images of the Hall of Fame boxing great. The signature grades gem mint 10, and the photo is double-matted and framed to 23 ½” x 27 ½”. Kevin Keating authenticated the signature. The photo captures Ali using an artistic scroll decorated in red and gold to initiate the cauldron-lighting process. A self-propelled fuse ball transported the flame up a wire and ignited the cauldron. A small photo showing Ali signing the Olympics photo is included.
Winning Bid $200
Lot 181. Billy Conn Collection: Autograph and Lobby, Exhibit and Topps Ringside Cards. Known as “The Pittsburgh Kid,” Conn held the light heavyweight championship from 1939-41. He may be better known for almost wresting the heavyweight crown from Joe Louis. In 1941, he gave up his title so that he could challenge Louis. In a bout at the Polo Grounds in New York, Louis outweighed Conn by 30 pounds. Nevertheless, through 12 rounds, the speedy Conn was ahead on cards of two scorers, and even on the third. Unfortunately for Conn, he changed his fighting tactics in the 13th and tried to knock Louis out. Instead, the champ knocked him out. In 1941, Conn also starred in a movie about himself, The Pittsburgh Kid. Conn’s autograph in luck-of-the-Irish green is a gem mint 10 on the unlined side of an index card. Authenticated by both JSA Authentication and Kevin Keating, it is matted and framed with an 8” x 10” photo to 11 ½” x 14 ¼”. Accompanying this impressive display are a color, original 11” x 14” lobby card from the movie showing Conn, a 1929-71 green tint exhibit card and 1951 Topps Ringside boxing card #12. The lobby card has one pinhole, tape in two corners on the back and is otherwise vg. The exhibit card grades vg-ex, and the Topps card, g-vg. Conn is a member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame. He passed away 1993.
Winning Bid $92
