Tunney, Gene. A Man Must Fight (Signed/limited edition). Houghton Mifflin, Boston, 1932.

Price: US$1200.00 + shipping

Description: Signed boldly in blue ink on the colophon page. Frontispiece portrait of the author by Sir John Lavery dated August 1928, the year the author retired from competition. A near-fine copy, virtually unread; bound in publisher's original quarter black cloth spine with faded paper label and with red paper-covered boards. The spine is clean, gleaming and bright with a crisp paper label. There are numerous photographic plates of the author, one signed in facsimile; others feature boxing matches. Pages are unopened and untrimmed. The slipcase has a printed label on the spine and a boxing ring photo on front panel. With a touch of rubbing to the extremities and bumping to the corners of the box. The volume is protected by an acetate jacket. James Joseph "Gene" Tunney was one of the greatest boxers in American history. He lacked natural talent but was an excellent "scientific" boxer who studied his opponents and developed his skills. In almost 70 career bouts, he lost only once. Unlike other boxers, Tunney read Shakespeare and poetry and spoke in an educated manner foreign to most boxing fans; he was also invited to lecture on Shakespeare at Yale University after he retired. Tunney recognized the dangers of boxing and retired at an early age to become a successful businessman and health and fitness expert. Tunney was born on May 25, 1898 in New York City. He was the son of an Irish immigrant who worked as a longshoreman. At age 15, Tunney took a job with the Ocean Steamship Company and eventually became a rate clerk. He attended Catholic schools and graduated from LaSalle Academy in 1915. While growing up, Tunney was interested in all sports, including swimming, handball, and basketball, but his favorite sport was boxing. He joined the Village Athletic Club and sparred with professional boxers. In July 1916, he fought professionally for the first time and then boxed occasionally in New York City and northern New Jersey. When World War I began, Tunney tried to enlist in the U.S. Marine Corps. He was first rejected because of an arm injury but was accepted in 1918. He was sent to France but did not see combat. While in training camp, Tunney was persuaded to box while in the service. Tunney fought in the light heavyweight division and eventually won the light heavyweight championship of the American Expeditionary Force. Because of his success, he decided to box professionally when he returned to civilian life. On November 14, 1919, Tunney began his professional boxing career. He won 24 consecutive fights over two years; however, he injured his right hand and was out of the ring for several months in early 1921 (American Voices) First edition and signed/limited edition with matching dates of 1932 on the title and copyright pages. This is #410 of 550 copies printed.

Seller: Brainerd Phillipson Rare Books, Holliston, MA, U.S.A.