2017 October Legends Closing November 11
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/12/2017
There might not be a picture in the world where the subjects are as well known and loved as this one. This photograph depicts Muhammad Ali playfully beseeching the Beatles, who are equally playfully pretending to fight Ali, to back down. After the photograph was taken, Ali reportedly asked the photographer “Who were these little sissies?”, unaware that the men who he had so recently posed with would go on to become the most legendary musicians of the 20th century.
The photograph was taken on February 18, 1964, by Robert Lipsyte. Ali, at the time still known as Cassius Clay, was in Miami Beach training for his upcoming fight with Sonny Liston. This match, one of the greatest and most controversial sporting events of the 20th century, ended with Liston surrendering to a faster, stronger, and more driven Ali before the start of the seventh round. Ali signed this photograph in gold marker, adding the inscription “AKA Cassius Clay” to his signature. This photograph measures 36 x 26 inches, and comes in a 42 x 32 inch frame. This item comes with a LOA from Steve Grad of Beckett Authentication (A03604).