Matador Cigar advertising card with photograph of the Burns-Johnson boxing contest

PXA 7680

fonds

1908

9675750

1 photographic print

In 1908, the World Heavyweight Boxing Championship took place between Canadian Tommy Burns, then Heavyweight Champion of the World, and challenger for the title, African-American Jack Johnson. The Sydney Stadium, an open-air structure in Rushcutters Bay, was host to what was then the largest sporting event in Australia’s history, accumulating a crowd of 20,000. Johnson defeated Burns in the 14th round becoming the first African-American to win the World Heavyweight title, which he held until 1915.
Matador Cigar company was active in Australia in the early part of the 20th century.
Reference: Library acquisition file

Advertising card for The Matador Cigar, featuring reproduction photograph from the 'Burns-Johnson' boxing contest, December 26, 1908. The photograph has been annotated to read the ‘The “Matador” cigar never “Burns” with a “Black” ash’ and the mount is printed: ‘Burns-Johnson Boxing Contest, Stadium, Sydney, Dec. 26, 1908. Won on 14th round by Johnson, on points. Stake £7,500. Audience 20,000. Gate, £26,000.’

Out of copyright:
Please acknowledge:: Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales