Carpentier, Georges ‘My Fighting Life’ 1920 1st ed. 253 pages.

Description

Carpentier, Georges ‘My Fighting Life’ 1920 1st ed. 253 pages. Badly sunned spine, some foxing on page ends, else good condition, straight, clean, and tight binding. Hartley’s Boxing Bibliography: “Green cloth. 7 illustrations. The chapters heading include I become Descamps Pupil – My Professional Career Begins – My Fights with Wells – and a Sequel – Arranging the Beckett Fight – Men I Have Fought, etc.”

My Fighting Life is a scarce and highly significant early autobiography written by the legendary French pugilist Georges Carpentier, published right at the height of his international fame before his historic 1921 “Battle of the Century” against Jack Dempsey.

Bibliographic Details:
• Title: My Fighting Life
• Author: Georges Carpentier
• Publisher: Cassell and Company, Ltd. (London, New York, Toronto, and Melbourne)
• Publication Date: 1920 (First Edition)
• Pagination: 253 pages (often cited as iv + 254pp)
• Format: Octavo (8vo), hardcover

Overview & Content:
Known around the world as “Le Grand Georges” or “The Orchid Man,” Carpentier (1894–1975) was a unique sporting icon who held European championships from welterweight up to heavyweight, eventually claiming the World Light Heavyweight Title.
This candid autobiography traces his rapid ascent from a working-class upbringing in Lens, France, to the pinnacle of global sports culture. Key elements of the book cover:
• The Early Years: His discovery by legendary trainer François Descamps and his grueling initial bouts as a teenager.
• Wartime Experience: His service as a decorated World War I reconnaissance pilot and his involvement in military boxing exhibitions during the conflict.
• Ring Philosophy & Secrets: Carpentier reflects on the physical and psychological toll of championship boxing, shares his personal training regimen, and touches on contemporary ring controversies like fixed fights.

Physical & Interior Presentation:
• Binding: The trade first edition is uniquely bound in sage green cloth boards. The front cover features a striking black stamped silhouette motif of a boxer squared up in a stance, paired with bold black typography. The spine is finished with the title and author’s name cleanly stamped in gilt.
• Illustrations: Contains 11 full-page monochrome photographic plates, including a handsome frontispiece portrait of the clean-shaven champion alongside action photographs documenting his early training camps and historical matches.