Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali)
World Heavyweight Boxing Champion and Olympic Gold Medalist · Boxing - Professional Sports
Professional Boxing / U.S. Olympic Boxing Team (1960)
Era
Early career - circa 1960-1964 (Pre-name change to Muhammad Ali)
Item Type
Cut page / Scrap of lined notebook paper
Condition
Very Good - clear, legible signature with minor paper aging, toning, and irregular triangular trimming
Rarity
Scarce, due to the specific historical window when he signed under his birth name before changing it to Muhammad Ali in 1964
Overall Assessment
An exceptional and highly desirable early-era signature of a towering sporting icon, offering strong visual appeal and historical significance for advanced collectors
Authenticity Assessment
Highly likely authentic with strong consistency to early period exemplars
Signature Style
Full birth name signature ('Cassius Clay') with an inscription ('From'), written in a flowing, cursive hand with characteristic loops and upward baseline slant
Signature Characteristics
Strong upward slant, confident fluid stroke with natural speed, characteristic looping on capital 'C' and descending tail on the 'y'
Ink & Medium
Blue ballpoint pen on lined paper, showing natural ink pooling and fading consistent with early 1960s writing instruments
Item Description
A triangular cut fragment of blue-lined notebook paper featuring the inscription 'From' above the signature 'Cassius Clay', exhibiting light edge toning and minor staining
Estimated Value
1500.00 to 3000.00 USD depending on formal third-party authentication
Comparison to Known Examples
Exhibits the exact letter proportions, slant, and cursive connectivity seen on authenticated album pages and index cards signed during his early professional boxing rise and 1960 Rome Olympics era
Authentication Tips
Examine the fluid transition in the double 's', the distinct looped 'C' capitals, the upward trailing stroke of the 'y', and compare stroke speed against verified pre-1964 exemplars
Certification Recommendation
PSA/DNA or James Spence Authentication (JSA)
Red Flags
No significant red flags observed; the ink aging, paper context, and letter formation match known authentic early examples without signs of hesitation or tremor
Provenance Notes
Originates from a vintage autograph album or notebook collection; maintaining documentation of previous owners or estate acquisition is recommended to maximize market appeal
Historical Context
Signed during the meteoric rise of the young Louisville Lip before his historic 1964 heavyweight championship victory over Sonny Liston and subsequent conversion to Islam
Market Trends
Pre-name change 'Cassius Clay' signatures command a significant premium over later 'Muhammad Ali' signatures due to the brief chronological window of the moniker
Investment Potential
Strong long-term investment potential; pre-1964 vintage boxing pieces from iconic figures consistently appreciate in the high-end memorabilia market
Similar Autographs
Early Sonny Liston, Joe Frazier, Sugar Ray Robinson, and 1960s Olympic memorabilia
Display & Preservation
Requires UV-protective glass, acid-free matting, and archival framing to prevent further fading of the ballpoint ink and degradation of the notebook paper
Interesting Facts
Items signed specifically with the birth name 'Cassius Clay' are considerably rarer than 'Muhammad Ali' autographs because he legally changed his name at the height of his early fame in 1964