Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali)
Olympic Gold Medalist and 3-Time World Heavyweight Boxing Champion · Boxing / Professional Sports
Professional Boxing / Louisville Lip
Era
Early career - circa 1961-1963 (pre-name change to Muhammad Ali)
Item Type
Notebook paper snippet / album page
Condition
Very Good. The paper shows slight toning and minor edge wear consistent with a vintage clipped album page, but the ink remains clear and legible.
Rarity
Scarce, particularly items bearing his birth name "Cassius Clay" rather than "Muhammad Ali" from the early pre-championship and early title-winning era.
Overall Assessment
An outstanding and highly collectible piece of boxing history featuring the rare birth-name signature of one of the 20th century's most iconic figures.
Authenticity Assessment
Likely authentic based on comparative handwriting analysis, natural flow, pen pressure, and period-correct style for his early signature.
Signature Style
Full name signature ("Cassius Clay") with a personalized inscription ("From") written above in his own hand, showing fluid cursive strokes and elongated upward flourishes on the capital letters.
Signature Characteristics
Strong upward slant, fluid momentum, distinct loop formations on the 'C' and 'y', consistent light-to-medium ballpoint pen pressure.
Ink & Medium
Blue ballpoint pen ink on lined notebook paper, showing typical aging and slight fading appropriate for the early 1960s.
Item Description
A triangular-cut piece of blue-lined notebook paper featuring the handwritten word "From" above his full signature "Cassius Clay" written in blue ballpoint pen.
Estimated Value
1500 to 3000 USD depending on full authentication and provenance documentation.
Comparison to Known Examples
Exhibits the exact structural letter formations, rhythmic flow, and proportions seen on verified 1962-1964 signed index cards and album pages.
Authentication Tips
Examine the formation of the capital 'C's, the upward slant, the natural fluency without hesitation tremors, and compare against authenticated early 1960s exemplars before his conversion to Islam in 1964.
Certification Recommendation
PSA/DNA or James Spence Authentication (JSA)
Red Flags
No significant red flags observed; the ink matches the period and the handwriting characteristics align with known early Clay exemplars.
Provenance Notes
Originates likely from an in-person encounter during his early professional boxing career; keeping historical letters or notes of acquisition is vital.
Historical Context
Dating from the vital transitional period when Cassius Clay was rising through the professional ranks on his way to defeating Sonny Liston in 1964 and capturing the world heavyweight crown.
Market Trends
Signatures of Muhammad Ali signed under his birth name "Cassius Clay" consistently command a significant premium over later "Muhammad Ali" signatures.
Investment Potential
Strong long-term investment outlook due to the extreme historical importance and fixed supply of authentic pre-1964 "Cassius Clay" signatures.
Similar Autographs
Early 1960s signed boxing promotional photos, training camp index cards, and pre-1964 memorabilia.
Display & Preservation
Frame with UV-protective museum glass and acid-free backing to prevent further paper toning and ink fading.
Interesting Facts
Cassius Clay famously changed his name to Muhammad Ali in March 1964, making any authentic pre-name change signature highly sought after by historical and sports collectors.