The "deathbed" is one of a set of five postcards made by photographer A.H. Beckett to commemorate the ill-fated World White Heavyweight championship fight between Luther McCarty and Arthur Pelkey on May 24, 1913 in Calgary, Canada. The cards were available within weeks of the tragedy.
The famous "sunray" photo, illuminating the stricken McCarty, is widely believed to be an enhanced image — although several spectators reported seeing the beam of light, which abruptly vanished as referee Ed Smith tolled "10!" over the prone fighter.
The window card advertises a McCarty exhibition in Lancaster, Pa., on Feb. 6, 1913.
|