Signed First Edition! “K.O.” – a boxing story, signed by Jim Jeffries, the book’s author W.A. Merrill, and Belle Martell

Book Signed “Jas J Jeffries,” “Belle Martell,” and “Walter ‘Tony’ Merrill” on the front free-endpaper. "K.O." by Walter Anthony Merrill, 100p, 9” x 9”. “First Edition Limited to One Thousand Copies, / of which this is copy / Number 47” printed on the page opposite the copyright page. Keystone Publishing Co., February, 1933. Scattered toning on signature page. Moderate foxing on covers. Very Good condition.

Printed on the page opposite a printed caricature of Jeffries: “Sincerely dedicated to the great two-fisted champion of champions, from whose life comes the inspiration to write this story James J. Jeffries.”

Inscribed on the front free-endpaper “Stick to it Angus and / you will be a ‘champion’ / Belle Martell” and, by the author, “To Angus Morgan / Because you throw / a lot of grand leather! / Sincerely always / Walter ‘Tony’ Merrill / April 13 - 1933” beneath which “Jas J Jeffries” has signed. Angus Morgan was a heavyweight boxer who fought six fights in California in 1934.

James J. Jeffries (1875-1953) won the World’s Heavyweight Championship in Coney Island in 1899 by knocking out Bob Fitzsimmons in the 11th round. He retired undefeated in 1905.

Belle Martell (1894-1972) was boxing’s first woman referee. In 1931, Belle and her husband, boxing promoter Art Martell, took over former heavyweight boxing champion James J. Jeffries' red dairy barn in Burbank, which Jeffries had converted to a boxing gym. On April 30, 1940, she passed the California state exam, becoming the first woman to be licensed to referee amateur boxing matches throughout the state. Martell made her debut as a referee on May 9, 1940. Wearing a shirtdress below her knees and a silk scarf around her neck, she refereed eight bouts in Pasadena, where a crowd of 700 watched Johnny Mongz knock out Jimmy Archuleta. On May 24,1940, all five state boxing commissioners drew up and adopted Rule 256, which read: "No license will be granted to members of the female sex to referee, second or manage in the ring when other performers are of the opposite sex.”

This item comes with an authentication certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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