Boxing pennant for Jack Johnson vs. Jim Jeffries

Source catalog description

This description refers to material held by Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Visual details below describe the original material.

A souvenir boxing pennant for “The Fight of the Century” of Jack Johnson vs. Jim Jeffries in Reno, Nevada on July 4, 1910. The pennant is composed of wool felt and has a red body edged in blue trim. Painted in black is the date [July 4, 1910] (oriented vertically) and [RENO] (oriented horizontally). Between the painted words, a round piece of printed cotton with an image of Johnson and Jeffries sparring has been sewn to the pennant. Jeffries and Johnson are depicted against a light blue background, with Johnson on the left in white trunks and Jeffries on the right in white trunks. Black text below reads [PURSE $101,000 / CLEASON & RICKARD]. Around the edge of the image is a darker blue border with text reading [JACK JOHNSON JIM JEFFRIES / WORLDS HEAVY WEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP]. The blue felt trim extends past the base of the pennant to form two tassels.

Explore Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture ↗