23 - Boxing / Manitot / Carpentier / Criqui / Boyer / Cinema

Boxing / Manitot / Carpentier / Criqui / Boyer / Cinema Manitot Training Camp Guest Book (near Vernon) With a cast-bronze bell from the same Manitot camp The guest book contains, among other things, 120 previously unpublished and significant photographs (Bouin-Carpentier, Johnson-Moran, Criqui, Pladner, Bombardier-Carpentier), more than 200 autographs from champions—including CARPENTIER—as well as boxing personalities and journalists from the Belle Époque to the Roaring Twenties, 4 blank illustrated letterheads highlighting the camp’s significant role and a thank-you statement following the on-site filming of the movie “Un soir de Rafle” Red leather cover with gold embossing 33 x 24 cm This unique guestbook was presented in July 1914 to Lucien Antoine BOYER by Georges Carpentier, Charles Ledoux, Théo Vienne, and François Descamps This volume is an essential landmark in the history of the noble art between 1914 and 1932. Across 35 double-page spreads and 120 photographs, it tells the story of a French training camp in Normandy. From its inauguration in July 1914 to the passing of its founder in the early 1930s, the greatest champions came here—far from Paris—to prepare for their bouts at the Cirque d’Hiver, Wagram, Gaumont Palace, and Vel’ d’Hiv. This is the “Very Rich Hours of Boxing”: all the residents—from Carpentier to Criqui, including Nilles, Routis, Fred Bretonnel, Young Travet, Goutarel, Bonnel, Schackels, Ledoux, Vinez Paulino, Nitram, Bouquillon, Laffineur, Villeponoux, and others—are all there, in photos, autographs, and personal anecdotes. Journalists and writers also frequented the place, as was only natural: Robert Caudrilliers, Henri Decoin, Milton, Victor Breyer, Gaston Bénac, Dethes, Albert Préjean, as well as cyclists Toto Grassin and Marcel Berthet. The highlights are clearly marked: the dedication of the bell shown here (January 30, 1923) and the outdoor ring (June 6, 1923), Carnera’s visit, seven autographed photos of Milou Pladner and his wedding (July 1929), Criqui’s return aboard the Suffren, the program for the “Charity Gala held for the announcer Vylé ” (May 10, 1924), the first Franco-German boxing match since the war, Criqui facing soccer player Chayrigues, alongside Jim Pratt, Victor Breyer, the Fratellini brothers, Joe Bridge, Georgius, Perchicot, and Biscot… At the end of the volume, Criqui reflects: “It was the good, good old days.” Provenance: Mr. Antoine BOYER