This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/30/2023
A Muhammad Ali Signed Autograph Drawing of a Boxing Glove Gifted to New Orleans Restaurant The Day After Second Leon Spinks Fight In 1978,
on restaurant linen, measuring 16.75" x 18.5". Inscribed to Jack Cosner, owner of Restaurant Jonathan in New Orleans: "From Muhammad Ali, Three Time Heavyweight Boxing Champion Of The (World). Your Food Is The Greatest And I Will Be Back Some Day. Sept 16-19-78" the day after Ali's historic victory over Leon Spinks, making him boxing's first three-time heavyweight champion and leading to this being possibly the first Ali autograph with three-time champion designation!
The art would hang in Restaurant Jonathan until its closure and is referenced in the September 1980 issue of New Orleans magazine. A PDF of the article will be emailed to the winning bidder. In it, it details how this very artifact was at one point framed and display in the restaurant for patrons to admire. This relic originated as property from the Maurice Medhurst Collection.
Some light staining and discoloring from use (one would assume this was Ali's napkin for the evening), and fold lines from previous folding, otherwise in very good condition. Accompanied by a full Letter of Authenticity from James Spence Authentication (JSA).