This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 12/8/2016.
Before “Muhammad Ali” became the most recognizable name in sports, 18-year-old Cassius Clay was a fighting phenom training for his upcoming Gold Medal performance in the 1960 Rome Olympics. During a time of reflection, Clay penned this handwritten letter to his friend Melvin D. Harrison, who trained for the Olympic Trials with him. The personal letter reads, "Hello Mel, I hope this letter finds you and your family well, I am here at Fort Dix getting ready for Rome, I am in the best of shape, I hope to soon be home with the world Championship soon, I am still hitting hard, Say look at here, We leave here on the 14 of august, so try to write me before then and send me Connie address will you, and try to get a picture of here, I stil dig her, so find here and let here know that I am still talking about here, get that picture man, 'please' I will send her and you a card from Rome Itly, Stay in training and you can't miss, tell all of the boys that I said hello, don't let me down about Connie, Your Fighting Friend, Cassius Clay, U.S. Champ."
Included with the letter is the original mailing envelope, featuring the return address "Cassius M. Clay, c/o Special Service, U.S. Olympic Boxing team, Building 5434 Fort Dix, N.J." If you didn’t guess it already, Clay won Gold Medal in the Light Heavyweight division at the 1960 Rome Olympics and opened the door for him to become the greatest fighter that ever lived. In our opinion, the two autographs (letter & envelope) rate a 9 overall. Accompanied by a full JSA LOA, a full PSA/DNA LOA and an LOA from the recipient of the letter.