On View
Sports Gallery
Exhibition
Sports: Leveling the Playing Field
Issued by
National Police Gazette, American, 1845 - 1977
Received by
Charles, Ezzard Mack, American, 1921 - 1975
Manufactured by
Unidentified
Date
1948
Medium
copper alloy
Dimensions
H x W x D (Belt): 9 3/4 × 41 3/4 × 1 in. (24.8 × 106 × 2.5 cm)
H x W x D (Case): 3 × 45 × 12 in. (7.6 × 114.3 × 30.5 cm)
Description
Copper alloy boxing championship belt with presentation case awarded to Ezzard Charles in 1948. Consists of large central plate and four plates either side. Central plate has circular photo of Ezzard Charles above which is an eagle with outstretched wings flanked on both sides by US, British and what might be French flags. Flags are enameled. The top of the plate has detached circular element with clear colored stones (possible paste or glass) encompassing the head of a wolf. The eagle carries a banner that reads [POLICE GAZETTE HEAVY WEIGHT CHAMPION PRIZE RING BELT OF THE WORLD]. At bottom of the central plate is a banner that reads [PRESENTED BY H. H. ROSWELL POLICE GAZETTE / 1948].
Looking left of the central plate the first plate depicts a boxer in raised relief, next is an English rose, next is a US shield with eagle and the final plate is engraved with previous recipients of the award. Attached to the final plate is a clasp with two holes for fastening the belt. Looking right of central plate depicted in raised relief is another boxer, next is the Scottish thistle, followed by the Irish harp and the final plate is engraved with previous winner of this award. Attached to the final plate is the other half of the clasp with two raised stubs that coincide with the holes on the other half. The plates are joined together with hinges with long barrels, blunt at the top and pointed at the bottom.
The exterior of the case is black with three closing clasps and a central handle. Interior is lined with dark blue vinyl/paper and purple velvet and there are four pairs of Cu alloy straps that would have been wrapped in velvet and used to hold belt in place.
Place depicted
United States, North and Central America
Classification
Awards and Medals
Type
belts (costume accessories)
cases (containers)
Topic
Athletes
Boxing
Sports
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Deborah Charles in loving memory of Ezzard Charles
Object number
2017.28.2.1-.2
Restrictions & Rights
No Known Copyright Restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5c7c94d27-739f-4c09-93eb-14bd51d49bc3

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

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