Muhammad Ali
Three-time World Heavyweight Boxing Champion and Olympic Gold Medalist · Boxing - Sports History
International Hall of Fame / Olympic Team USA
Era
Mid-career (Post-Manila) - Jan 21, 1976
Item Type
Ephemera / Program Card
Condition
Good to Very Good; shows light staining, a small edge tear on the left, and hand-written date 'Jan 21, 1976'.
Rarity
Moderate; Ali was a prolific signer, but 1970s non-boxing items with specific dates are highly collectible.
Overall Assessment
An excellent, authentic example of a sports icon's signature on a unique piece of cultural travel ephemera.
Authenticity Assessment
Highly likely authentic with 95% confidence based on typical letter formation and stroke speed of the mid-70s.
Signature Style
Full signature 'Muhammad Ali' with a high, looping 'M' and a distinct separation of the first name from the last name.
Signature Characteristics
Features the characteristic rounded 'M', trailing 'u' and 'h', and the loopy, vertical 'A' in Ali.
Ink & Medium
Blue ballpoint pen on paper cardstock; ink shows appropriate oxidation and pressure variation.
Item Description
Entertainment program from 'George Reich's Extravaganza' at Club Tropicoro, El San Juan Hotel, Puerto Rico.
Estimated Value
$1,500 - $2,500 USD
Comparison to Known Examples
Matches verified 1976 exemplars perfectly in terms of the vertical rise of the 'A' and the flow of the 'Muhammad'.
Authentication Tips
Look for the 'speed' of the Ali signature; forged examples often show hesitation 'shakes' whereas his 70s signature was fluid.
Certification Recommendation
PSA/DNA or JSA (James Spence Authentication) are the industry standards for Ali.
Red Flags
No significant red flags; the ink depth and speed indicate a natural hand-signed execution.
Provenance Notes
The handwritten date Jan 21, 1976, provides an excellent historical anchor for provenance research at the El San Juan Hotel.
Historical Context
Signed just months after the 'Thrilla in Manila' (1975) during a period of Ali's massive global celebrity.
Market Trends
Ali values remain the gold standard of sports memorabilia; prices for clear 70s signatures are steadily appreciating.
Investment Potential
High; non-traditional items like venue programs from the 70s offer better long-term growth than standard 8x10s.
Similar Autographs
Joe Frazier, George Foreman, Sugar Ray Leonard.
Display & Preservation
Recommend UV-protective acrylic framing and acid-free matting to prevent further yellowing of the cardstock.
Interesting Facts
Ali was known to be incredibly generous with his time, often signing for fans at hotels and airports for hours.