Rare 1979 Muhammad Ali Signed "Freedom" Pre-Production Artist Proof Serigraph (Banned by the United Nations) & Artist Proof Se...

Click the image to load the highest resolution version.

Sold on May 12, 2017 for:

Sign-in or Join (free & quick)

Get one of these:

Share this lot

Track Item Printable Auction Results

Sell One of These

Description

Auction Info

Guides & Info

Description

Rare 1979 Muhammad Ali Signed "Freedom" Pre-Production Artist Proof Serigraph (Banned by the United Nations) & Artist Proof Serigraph. Muhammad Ali's bravery between the ring ropes was matched by his bravery outside of them, particularly in his principled stance against the Vietnam War that robbed him of his Heavyweight Championship and turned him into a national pariah. Here he turns his charming artistic skills toward a commentary on the imperialism of Africa, with two different prints working off two different pieces of original Ali artwork of the same theme.

In April 1979, Ali donated the original artwork entitled "Freedom" to the United Nations Special Committee Against Apartheid for a free and independent Namibia and dedicated it to the freedom of black people in South Africa. There is a photo of Ali at the press conference with the original artwork. The U.N. refused to accept it, claiming it was too offensive, so Ali revised the drawing by removing the white man and the caption "I am the white man," and then donated the revised version to the U.N. in November 1979. The U.N. then reproduced and sold the revised artwork, issued in limited edition serigraphs of 1,000 (regular edition), 500 (deluxe edition), and 250 (for UN first day of issue stamps).

On offer here are both versions of Ali's historic artwork in rare pre-production proof and artist proof editions.

Version 1 pictures a slave and bars of gold drawn inside the boundaries of the African continent, with pyramids and a sphinx added for effect at the top. A man subjugating the slave with the caption "I am the white man." The bold black Ali signature within the work is part of the print, which reads "Let My People Go." At the bottom, Ali signs in pencil. The back is blank. Number "6" of twenty-five pre-production artist's proofs, it is one of only two examples to have been offered for public sale. Measures 8.5x11.5" on cream-colored art paper. Print and autograph are NRMT.

Version 2 is identical except that the white man and caption have been removed. Also the publisher's blind stamp appears in the lower right corner. Furthermore, the back has a poem by Ali entitled "Freedom," along with "World Federation of United Nations Associations," "Deluxe edition serigraph" and "From a painting by Muhammad Ali (USA)." One of only ten unnumbered artist's proofs, it is one of only two examples to have been offered for public sale. Measures 10.75x14" on heavy gray art paper. Print and autograph are NRMT.

Both prints were originally purchased from the Hilton Fine Arts Ltd. Gallery in New York City and are being consigned by that owner. Comes with 1979 U.N. press release, 1979 news clippings, and 1980 letter from Hilton Fine Arts, Ltd. Matted 22x16.75". Pre-certified by PSA/DNA.