Description

Description: This State Athletic Commission License belonged to American heavyweight boxer Joe Louis (1914-1981). The license was issued in 1955 and lists his New York City address. It is signed Joe Louis Barrow at bottom right in bold, blue ink and an original photograph of Louis is affixed to the verso.

Joe Louis, “The Brown Bomber”, was the world heavyweight champion from 1937 until 1949. He was victorious in 25 consecutive title defenses, a record for all weight classes. Louis is widely regarded as the first nationwide African-American hero in the United States, and was a bastion of anti-Nazi sentiment leading up to World War II because of his historic 1938 rematch with German boxer Max Schmeling.

The license measures 3″ x 5″. Item #A01605

Condition: Single filing punch hole at top of license and two staples, otherwise very good condition with a large, strong signature.