Search Results: photograph signed by johnny gilbert

Popular Midwest wrestling champions of the '50s and '60s, holders of many titles, a celebrated tag team. PS, 5" X 3½", n.p. [Chicago, IL], n.y. [July 1960]. Very good. Minor yellowish tape stain at each corner, not terribly disfiguring and well away from signatures. Original black-and-white snapshot, likely one of a kind, showing what appears to be an arena dressing room (probably Chicago's Amphitheatre) with a smiling Gilbert and Goelz in wrestling trunks side by side. At upper right, in a darkish area, Gilbert inscribes it in red fineline marker "My / Best / Partner / Johnny Gilbert." Across his chest, also in red fineline, Goelz boldly signs. Contrast on Gilbert fair to good, contrast on Goelz excellent. A unique image of two stars posing for a fan from the Golden Age of Wrestling.

Gilbert was a popular Midwest wrestling champion of the '50s and '60s, holder of many titles, half of a celebrated tag team with Billy Goelz. Christy was another popular wrestling draw in the '50s. PS, 5" X 3½", n.p. [Chicago, IL], n.y. [July 1960]. Very good. Minor yellowish tape stain at each corner, not terribly disfiguring and well away from signatures. Original black-and-white snapshot, likely one of a kind, showing what appears to be an arena dressing room (probably Chicago's Amphitheatre) with Gilbert and a smiling Christy (looking a tad s***-faced) walking through a doorway, Gilbert apparently supporting Christy, who has his left arm about Gilbert's shoulders. At upper right, in red fineline marker, Gilbert inscribes it "Who's drunk / Johnny Gilbert." Beneath this, also in red fineline, Christy adds "or / Bill / Christy." A unique image of two stars hamming it up for a fan from the Golden Age of Wrestling.

Gilbert was a popular Midwest wrestling champion of the '50s and '60s, holder of many titles, half of a celebrated tag team with Billy Goelz. Williams was a fixture on early national wrestling telecasts out of Marigold Garden with tag team partner Ruby Kay; narrowly missed being part of the bloodiest wreck in wrestling history: on March 3, 1945, a flight from England to Paris carrying six (out of seven) pro wrestlers on a USO tour to entertain Allied troops crashed, killing all aboard; Williams missed this flight, and later that month wrestled at a Fred Kohler wrestling program in Chicago to raise funds for his colleagues' widows and children. PS, 5" X 3½", n.p. [Chicago, IL], n.y. [July 1960]. Very good. Minor yellowish tape stain at each corner, not terribly disfiguring and well away from signatures. Original black-and-white snapshot, likely one of a kind, showing Williams and Goelz at a table signing autographs -- Williams signs across the tabletop boldly in red fineline marker. Gilbert stands… Read More

Popular Midwest wrestling champions of the '50s and '60s, each holder of many titles, who formed a celebrated tag wrestling team. Most unusual oversize IPS, heavy stock 16" X 20", St. Charles, IL, 1960 October 14. Near full-length side-by-side shot depicting Gilbert and Goelz in wrestling trunks against a white background, each taking off their coat as if entering the ring. Gilbert, at left, inscribes boldly to the right of his legs in red ballpoint: "To Donald M. Burnell / A true and wonderful / Wrestling fan Your friend / in Sports always / Johnny Gilbert / Oct 14 - 1960 / St. Charles Livestock Center, / St. Charles Illiones." [sic] Goelz, at right, inscribes boldly at upper right in blue ballpoint: "To a wrestler's best friend / Donald M. Burnell / Best of Luck and of everything / Your friend always / Billy Goelz / Fox Lake wrestler / Oct. 14, 1960 / St. Charles Livestock / Center / St. Charles, Ill." This handsome and most unusual item was likely created… Read More