JULY 19TH AUCTION
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/20/2013
Joe Louis vs. Max Schmeling Signed 1973 Living Legends Lithograph. This color 18" x 22" image was created by sports artist Bob Peak and captures the fury of the famed 1938 Yankee Stadium meeting between Max Schmeling, Hitler's wunderkind, and Joe Louis, the great African-American champion. From its inception, the match transcended the sport to become a global event with obvious social and political implications. A worldwide audience listened, hoped and rejoiced as Louis avenged his 1936 defeat with a first-round knockout. Issued in 1973 as one of 12 lithographs offered in Sports Illustrated's "Living Legends" series, this one (1153/1500) features splendid pencil signatures of both champions in the lower border. Each is big, bold, and dark (9-10/10). The litho is in near mint-mint condition and comes with a full LOA from PSA/DNA for the signatures.