The title handwritten on the back of this photos tell it all: “Just a little test of strength.” This circa 1910 shot captures heavyweight champion Jack Johnson lifting a large wood beam above his head with little show of exertion on his face. At the time this photo was snapped, Johnson was at the same time a hero and villain to the boxing world. On one hand, his tremendous strength and skill made him an altogether new breed of pugilist. Yet, on the darker end of the spectrum, Johnson’s Blackness made him an enemy to the Whites who couldn’t take the idea of a Black man holding the title of heavyweight champion. This unique Type 1 photograph has been printed to its edges. There is edge wear present along with rounded corners and some small pieces missing along the edges, most noticeably on the bottom left corner. There are some pin holes near the corners and the remains of some retouching done for production. The reverse shows toning throughout along with “Jack Johnson” and “Just a little test of strength” handwritten in pencil. The photo has been encapsulated and graded a Type 1 by PSA.