Boxing gloves worn by Melvin Van Peebles

A pair of red 14 oz Champion boxing gloves (2024.60.25a, 2024.60.25b) owned by Melvin Van Peebles. The outer side of each glove is made from three panels of red leather – one 14” panel for the back of the hand, one 5.25” panel for the thumb, one 2.5” panel for the wrist area. While the underside of the glove is made from two panels of red leather one 9” panel for the underside of the palm and one 4” panel for the underside of the thumb. There is a central lace up panel with ten punched holes, edged in a white 3/8” wide leather seam tape. The bottom of the cuff is also edged in the same material. An off-white braided cotton cord with plastic end caps is partially strung through the right glove – the left glove is missing its cord. Two rows of decorative top stitching edge the palm, the base of the thumb, and where the finger panel connects to the palm. Padding (possibly rubber foam) fills the finger panel and the thumb panel.