Muhammad Ali

  • SIGNED
  • New York: An Alskog Book - Thomas Y. Crowell Company, 1975
By ALI, Muhammad; SHEED, Wilfrid
New York: An Alskog Book - Thomas Y. Crowell Company, 1975. Serve God and He Will Serve You"
A Superb Association Copy Inscribed by Muhammad Ali to Leslie Bricusse
With an Exceptional Archive from Ali's 50th Birthday Celebration at the Wiltern Theatre

ALI, Muhammad. SHEED, Wilfrid. Muhammad Ali. A Portrait in Words and Photographs. [New York]: An Alskog Book - Thomas Y. Crowell Company, [1975].

First edition. Large quarto (11 x 9 1/8 inches; 280 x 232 mm.). 255, [1] pp. Profusely illustrated throughout with color and black & white photographs, including numerous iconic images by Neil Leifer.

Publisher's imitation red leather, front cover stamped in blind, spine lettered in gilt, pictorial endpapers. A near fine copy in the original color printed dust jacket, slightly chipped at head and foot of spine.

Presentation & Inscription: Inscribed by Muhammad Ali on the title-page:
"To Leslie / from / Muhammad Ali / Serve God and he will serve you / 3-1-92."

A highly characteristic inscription, combining a personal presentation with one of Ali's frequently expressed spiritual maxims, and addressed to the celebrated lyricist Leslie Bricusse.

Associated Material: Loosely inserted is a rare and compelling group of original materials from Muhammad Ali's 50th Birthday Celebration, held February 16, 1992 at the Wiltern Theatre, Los Angeles, including:
Printed invitation to the event
Four admission passes
Two used tickets and one unused ticket
The inscription, dated March 1, 1992, closely follows the event, strongly suggesting that the volume was signed in direct connection with the celebration.

An exceptional association copy, elevated by both its inscription and its accompanying archive. While signed books by Muhammad Ali are not uncommon, examples bearing extended inscriptions in his own moral voice - and tied to a specific historic occasion - are considerably scarcer.

The present volume bridges sport, culture, and entertainment: Ali, at the height of his global symbolic stature, inscribing to Leslie Bricusse, one of the most successful lyricists of the modern era. The accompanying birthday materials transform the book into a coherent documentary group, capturing a precise moment in Ali's public life.

Visually striking and richly illustrated, the book itself remains one of the most powerful photographic records of Ali's career, further enhancing the desirability of the piece.

Near fine in a very good or better dust jacket; inscription bold and legible. The accompanying ephemera well preserved, with expected signs of handling.

Provenance: From the library of Leslie Bricusse.

Details

Title

Muhammad Ali

Author

ALI, Muhammad; SHEED, Wilfrid

Condition

Unknown

Publisher

New York: An Alskog Book - Thomas Y. Crowell Company, 1975


MORE FROM THIS SELLER

David Brass Rare Books, Inc.

Specializing in English, American and European Literature, Children's Books, Caricature, Color-Plate Books, Illustrated Books, Early Printed Books, Private Press Books, Fine Bindings, Original Artwork, High Spot Literature, Modern First Editions