Early, authentic Max Schmeling autograph

Early, authentic Max Schmeling autograph. Magazine snippet, mounted on cardboard, signed with fountain pen. Size: 3.8 x 5.7 inches. Fine condition.

The Autograph comes with a Certificate of Authenticity.

Max Schmeling (1905-2005) became World Heavyweight Champion in 1930. In 1932 Schmeling scored a twelfth round knockout of the previously undefeated Joe Louis in 1936. 2 years later Joe Louis knocked out Schmeling in the first round - after 124 seconds.

Despite his supposed associations with nazism, used for propaganda to smear him as a Nazi villain, it became known long after the Second World War that Schmeling had risked his own life to save the lives of two Jewish children in 1938.

He remains a sporting legend in Germany today, and he also helped his friend Joe Louis later in life.