This is quite interesting. This is the original photograph of one of the most famous images in sports history published in the San Francisco Examiner on April 13, 1915. On the verso is affixed the actual newspaper article from that issue which takes up most of the back of this piece. Front shows the stunning image of Johnson lying on the canvas, shading his eyes from a hot Havana sun (his excuse that he threw the fight). Image is second generation but definitely vintage and has a crease down the center and rough edges. It has been repaired by archival tape as well. Regardless it is oversized (14x9.5”) and a 100% vintage original.

This lot is from the legendary San Francisco Examiner Archive (SFXArchive).
This is one largest collections ever of historic vintage photos spanning the entire 20th century. The San Francisco Examiner was the first paper acquired by William Randolph Hearst and itself was the subject of the film classic Citizen Kane. The majority of the photographs are fully identified, and back-stamped with dates. Included throughout this auction is a diverse mix of subjects including sports, historical, political, transportation, Hollywood, and all facets of entertainment.