Lot # 1477: 1936 Joe Louis Versus Max Schmeling First Fight Movie Broadside in Framed Display

Revisit a historic heavyweight bout, with the examination of this 1936 Joe Louis versus Max Schmeilng broadside. Framed to overall dimensions of 16" x 24", this promotional piece was designed to lure viewers into neighborhood movie theaters. Billed as "Exclusive Original Motion Pictures of the Sensational Heavyweight Contest Between Joe Louis, Detroit's Sensational Brown Bomber and Max Schmeling, Former World's Heavyweight Champion", this poster also provides the hook "See the Sensational K.O. of Joe Louis". Underdog Schmeling discovered Louis was dropping his arm after left jabs, and exploited the flaw to KO Louis in the 12th round of their meeting at Yankee Stadium on June 19, 1936.

To say times were tough in 1936, would certainly be putting it mildly. The world was still trying to escape the Great Depression. The Nazi Party was on the rise in Germany. In America, many black people were suffering under the Jim Crow laws. For Hitler and the Nazis, Schemling was a shining example of German superiority, at least until his lost to Louis in their 1938 rematch. Louis is regarded as the first African-American to be viewed as a nationwide hero in the United States, and he was held up as a symbol for America being a land of opportunity and freedom. Despite all the propraganda, Louis and Schmeiling were just decent guys trying to do their best. The two Hall of Fame champions became friends, and Schmeling ultimately paid Louis' funeral expenses.

A blank space at top of the offered broadside was intended for announcing the dates the fight film would run, making this an unused example. The surface is clean, the colors are bold, and the graphics are distinct, including photographs of the fighters. Wear is fairly unobtrusive, with staple holes at top bottom being the worse of the attrition.

The size/weight of this item requires that there will be an additional shipping charge for this lot.