Fine Books & Manuscripts, including Americana

[CHICAGO – ILLUMINATED MANUSCRIPT]. In Memoriam: Barney Ross. Resolution unanimously adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Chicago held January 20, 1967. Presented by Honorable Richard J. Daley. Chicago: Scroll Studio, 1967. 10 leaves, rectos only, 8vo. Half–title with decorative gouache and gilt border, title–page with large gouache initial heightened in gold, 6–line initials or smaller heighted in gold and gouache, fillers throughout, City of Chicago seal also in gouache and heightened in gold, by the Scroll Studio of Chicago. Original padded blue morocco, silk moiré endpapers; matching slipcase. SIGNED BY MAYOR RICHARD DALEY AND CITY CLERK JOHN C. MARCIN and presented to the family of Barney Ross. “Beryl Rasofsky, aka Barney Ross (1909–1967), led an extraordinary American life. Growing up in Chicago’s Jewish neighborhood of Maxwell Street, Barney worked briefly for Al Capone before becoming a Golden Gloves champ and then a professional fighter, eventually becoming one of the few triple-champions (in the lightweight, light welterweight, and welterweight divisions) of the sport. After his boxing career ended he enlisted in the Marines during World War II, earning a Silver Star for heroism when he helped fight off a platoon of Japanese soldiers on Guadalcanal. Wounded, he became addicted to morphine and then heroin, finally kicking the habit and becoming an anti–drug advocate. Two films, including the 1947 noir classic Body and Soul, were inspired by his life, and he was also lifelong friends with Jacob Rubinstein, aka the Jack Ruby who shot Lee Harvey Oswald” (Digital Chicago: Lake Forest College).