This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/12/2024
Presented here is one of the most pristine and remarkable photographs in Olympic and sports history. This iconic image captures Jesse Owens, an Ohio State University standout, crossing the finish line in dramatic fashion during the 100m dash at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, Germany. While there are other Type I photos of Jesse Owens from the 1936 Olympics, none match the impact of this shot, showing Owens breaking the tape ahead of his competitors. This truly is the type I 1936 Olympics Jesse Owens photo to own! The referees and timekeepers stand in awe of Owens' achievement as he clinches the gold medal, narrowly defeating his American teammate Ralph Metcalfe by a tenth of a second and Tinus Osendarp of the Netherlands by two-tenths of a second. This victory marked Owens' first gold medal at these games, where he would go on to win three more in the 200m, 4x100m relay, and long jump, solidifying his status as the star of the Olympics. The 1936 Olympics were more than just a sporting event; they were a stage for political and ideological confrontation. Hosted by Nazi Germany under Adolf Hitler's rule, the games were used as a propaganda tool to showcase Germany's resurgence after the turmoil of World War I. Hitler and the Nazis temporarily suspended their persecution of Jews, disabled individuals, and other "non-Aryan" people, removing propaganda from the streets to present a facade of hospitality to the world. Amidst this tense atmosphere, Jesse Owens, a Black man from Oakville, Alabama, and the son of a sharecropper, stood in stark contrast to Hitler's vision of Aryan supremacy. Hitler's ideology celebrated individuals with white skin, blonde hair, and blue eyes as the epitome of superiority in every aspect. Yet, here was Owens, a Black athlete with brown hair and brown eyes, defying Nazi ideology on the world stage. As Owens crossed the finish line first in the 100m sprint, in a country filled with hateful politics and prejudice, the world stood still for a brief moment to admire the athletic brilliance they had just witnessed. Even the 100,000 Berliners in attendance began chanting “Jes-say O-vens” in recognition of his dramatic victory. This photo, authenticated and graded by PSA as Type I, is a phenomenal image rich with historical significance. The image measures 8x10 and is in excellent condition. It stands as a powerful representation of good triumphing over evil in the realm of sports, capturing a moment when athletic prowess and human spirit overshadowed the dark ideologies of the time.