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VIETNAMWAR RESISTANCE “FAR GREATERVICTORY
THAN ANY IN MY ATHLETIC CAREER”
52
●
ALI, MUHAMMAD.Two items, each to Charles H. Lyttle: Photograph Signed and
Inscribed * Typed Letter Signed.The photograph, “To / Charles / Lyttle / With Regards,”
1
/
2
-length portrait, showing him wearing boxing gloves and shorts, looking into the camera,
with left arm in mid-punch. Inscribed in the image, upper and lower right. 5x3
1
/
2
inches.
The letter, thanking him for supporting his resistance to the draft, agreeing that his success-
ful resistance is greater than any achievement of his career, and expressing confidence that
his victory is worth any price—even “the maximum.” 1 page, 4to, “World’s Heavyweight
Boxing Champion” stationery; scattered areas of faint uneven discoloration, horizontal
folds.With the original envelope.
Np, nd; Chicago, 4 August 1967
[1,000/2,000]
“
. . . I have received many letters since my refusal to enter the army for the purpose of fighting in
Vietnam, but never have I received one which so thoroughly boosted my morale as yours. I appreciate
that you have obviously thought about my situation and your understanding of the pressures and con-
flicts I must undergo in order to maintain my stand against being drafted . . . .
“
. . . [Y]ou are right when you say that I have won a ‘far greater victory than any in my athletic
career’. For, regardless of the price I have to pay—and it appears, at present, that the price will be the
maximum—I do feel that I have won something they sure will not be able to take away, so easily as
they did the title. One of these is respect and support from such a wonderful person as yourself.
“
Please accept the enclosed copy of my favorite boxing picture as a token of my regards.”