Princeton University’s early 20th Century album of portraits in the mugshot style of boxers from San Francisco’s The Olympic Club (founded 1860) is a treasure trove.
In her story on the album, Princeton’s Julie Mellby, tells us that the city was a mecca for boxing, earning the nickname “The Cradle of Fistic Stars”. She adds: ‘It is curious that the use of photographic mug shots also began in San Francisco, where Chief of Police James Curtis established the practice in 1857.’
Jimmy Cumpston who fought Al Ramus in 1920
Via Princeton
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