Max Baer

Max Baer (February 11, 1909 - November 21, 1959) former heavyweight boxing champion of the world, authentic, autographed and inscribed vintage photograph, depicting Baer with Lauren Bacall and Humphrey Bogart.  Photograph is housed in a custom clamshell box, along with Baer's personal engraved money clip.

Vintage black-and-white photograph of Humphrey Bogart, an unidentified man, Lauren Bacall, and Max Baer seated at New York’s Copacobana nightclub, inscribed, “Larry we miss you tonite. I am giving Lauren Bacall what a great guy like Bogart should give her. An earful and a hug. Max Baer at the Copa, June 1947.” Together with a vintage 14k gold money clip, inset with a commemorative 50 pesos Mexican gold coin (37.5 gram “oro puro”), engraved, “MB, To Max Baer— Your Old Pal, Bill Miller— 1934,” and engraved later, “To Larry [Cameron] ‘a champion.’ Your pal, Max Baer, 1957.”

The gold money clip was presented to the champion by Bill Miller— probably the Las Vegas booking agent who handled heavyweight boxer Howard King in the 1950s and later managed lightweight Alexis Arguello in the 80s. Born in Russia, to a Jewish family, Miller became a very important figure in the development of entertainment in Las Vega, and is the acknowledged creator of the “lounge show.” Baer in turn had this clip engraved to his close friend, successful Sacramento auto dealer and former championship rodeo rider, Robert “Larry” Cameron, who engaged Baer during the 50s as an honorary “salesman” for his Pontiac agency.

Fine condition.