[BOXING - MUHAMMAD ALI]
CLAY, CASSIUS. Inscribed photograph, depicting Clay with photographer Flip Schulke, camera in hand, inscribed by Clay to Schulke on both image and verso "To Flip/My Good Friend/From Cassius Clay/Next World/Champ/1964/Good Luck." 8 x 10 inches (25 x 20 cm). Various notations on verso in addition to the inscription, including the printing instruction, press snipe etc. Slight crease; Together with the original contact sheet in which this image appears, with Schulke's annotations as to which image to print.
A wonderful association piece from the beginning of Clay/Ali's career. The image is from the famous 1961 session in which Schulke shot Clay boxing underwater. In this photograph, both men are standing at pool edge, Schulke in a pair of Clay's Everlast pants, as he had forgotten his own trunks. This image was either taken with a timer, or by an associate of Schulke's. The inscription is later than the image, just before Clay attained the World Heavyweight Championship against Sonny Liston.