Abe Attell Signed Autographed 1920's 8x10 Photo Boxing Legend JSA COA
$599.00
Signed photograph (8 x 10 inches) of boxer Abe Attell (1884-1970), who later became the bagman for the mob in the Black Sox Scandal. This promotional photo features Attell shaking hands with Hall of Fame horse racing jockey Tod Sloan with a caption in the negative "Two Real Champs Abe Attell Tod Sloan." Signed in blue ink along the top "Best Wishes and Good Luck From Abe Attell." Like many boxers of his era, Attell learned to fight on the streets. This was especially important for a Jewish kid living in an Irish neighborhood! The 5-foot-4 inch Attell was a natural featherweight who fought his first professional bout in 1900 and defeated former champion George Dixon the very next year. Attell held the crown of featherweight champion until 1912 when he lost a twenty-round decision to Johnny Kilbane. Attell continued fighting well into 1915. A comeback bid was abruptly halted in 1917 when he was knocked out by Phil Virgets. As is often the case, gambling and boxing are close bedfellows, and Attell worked as the agent for gambler Arnold Rothstein. It was Attell who handed $10,000 to several Chicago White Sox players to throw the World Series to Cincinnati in 1919. When the "Black Sox Scandal" broke in 1920, Attell fled to Canada to avoid being subpoenaed. In the later years he managed a bar on New York's East Side. The photo has a few light creases. In Excellent condition overall.
Accompanying is a full photo LOA from JSA.
Bin #17
