Ok, back to Max Schmeling. You know it's fascinating, Schmeling and Louis fought twice, and out of those two fights came a slew of books. Don't know if I've ever seen a rivalry like it as far as history is concerned.
Max Schmeling's first fight after his stunning upset over Joe Louis was against Harry Thomas on December 13th, 1937 at Madison Square Garden. Thomas was a tough SOB who had never been knocked down before. This is a on-site poster from the bout and photos of Schmeling and Thomas at the weigh-in.
This is a photo of Max Schmeling taken before his fight against Harry Thomas, it's a wicked image, the serious look on his face. And indeed he was serious, he took Thomas apart.
Photos from the Max Schmeling-Harry Thomas fight on December 13th, 1937 at Madison Square Garden. Schmeling systematically cut him down, flooring him seven times and forcing the referee Arthur Donovan to stop the fight in the 8th.
Let's look at some Max Schmeling cards shall we? This is one of my favorite Schmeling cards, the 2025 Historic Autographs Max Schmeling Japan Holiday parallel numbered to /5 copies. It's a sick design with the Japan rising sun.
I actually own the black printing plate 1/1 for the card in the above post. I love the black color of the plate because his nickname was "Black Uhlan of the Rhine."
1935 Josetti Bunten Filmbilder Max Schmeling - Anny Ondra. This was one of many international tobacco card sets featuring movie stars. It was produced by Josetti Cigarettes, a German tobacco brand. The technical name for the set was Bunten Filmbilder, which, roughly translated is, ‘Colorful movie pictures.’ Cards are a little different from other ones, however. While many of those were black and white sets featuring real images, these had color pictures and a dinstinctive golden border. As was the case in several other movie star sets, boxer Max Schmeling found his way into the issue due to his immense popularity. This set is almost entirely a non-sports release but boxing fans do have an interest in it for Schmeling’s card. Schmeling is here, featured with his wife Anny Ondra, who was an actress. Backs of the cards have a short description of the cards as well as the mention that an album was available for them.
It's fascinating, the image of Max Schmeling and his wife Anny Ondra that was used on the 1935 Josetti Bunten Filmbilder card, the original type 1 photo of that image is actually on eBay right now for sale.
1926 Greiling Serie Boxer, these cards were made with two different variations, large and small. The large is pictured on the top and the small on the bottom.
One of the rarest boxing card sets and cards on this planet, the 1927 York Caramel Max Schmeling. This also happens to be the earliest known card of Schmeling. An absolute treasure.
1938 Churchman Max Schmeling and the photo that was used for the image of Schmeling on the card. This is one of my favorites, love the image of Schmeling on this card.
1946 Kid Herman Max Schmeling. This set of cards was actually created by the legendary bantamweight boxer Pete "Kid" Herman. There are three different variations to these cards, the letters on the front of the card were issued in the colors black, blue, and red, all three variations are rare but the red and blue are particularly rare. The backs of the cards are blank.
1946 Propaganda Montiel Max Schmeling. These cards were a Cuban issue on very thin paper stock, they damage very easily and it's impossible to find these in high grade. There are two different variations, they were issued with the border in orange as seen here and with the border in yellow.
1930 Amalgamated Press Max Schmeling and the photo that was used for the image of Schmeling on the card. These cards were issued in a strip with other boxers from the era and you can keep them together or cut them off.
1934 Garbaty Moderne Schonheitsgalerie Max Schmeling-Annie Markart. This is a stunningly beautiful card with the gold and blue frame and the colorful photo of Schmeling and actress Annie Markart.
1959 Hokus Pokus Max Schmeling. This card is ridiculously rare. These cards can be found in two variations, with the Hokus Pokus stamp on the back and with a blank back. This was a German issue, not sure how these cards were issued.
1948 Topps Magic Photos Max Schmeling. I have to say, the image of Schmeling on this card turned out nice, a lot of these are faded. The 1948 Topps Magic Photos were produced as self-developing cards that initially appeared blank or sepia-toned to the collector. The image would only appear when exposed to sunlight, a "magic" process and a lot of these cards didn't come out with a clear image of the athlete.
1942 Editorial Bruguera Gato Negro Cromo Cultura Quinto 3 Max Schmeling. This is one of my favorites as well, love the cartoon design and the brilliant colors. This was a small collection of paper-thin cards featuring athletes from around the world. While the set is generally graded as a 1942 issue, some believe it could have been produced later and merely cite it as a 1940s set. The set features fighters Joe Louis, Max Schmeling, and Max Baer. But the biggest card in the set, by a wide margin, is that of the legendary Babe Ruth. This set was issued in Spain and could be glued into albums.
This is a gem, a 1928 Max Schmeling doubleheader exhibit card. These exhibit cards usually came with a blank back, coupon back, or stats on the back, this one was issued with Max Schmeling on one side and Billy Wallace on the other. Extremely rare.
1993 Ritchie and Co. Max Schmeling from the Movers, Maulers, Fighters, and Floaters set, love this set. These cards have two different variations and can be found with a "Ritchie and Co." back as pictured below, and a "South Wales Constabulary" back. The South Wales backs are very difficult to find.
1935 Muratti Olympischen Spielen Max Schmeling/Fritz Szepan, this is a neat little card that features a cartoon of Schmeling kicking a soccer ball with German soccer player Fritz Szepan.
Comments
Ok, back to Max Schmeling. You know it's fascinating, Schmeling and Louis fought twice, and out of those two fights came a slew of books. Don't know if I've ever seen a rivalry like it as far as history is concerned.
Schmeling's knockout of Louis was one of the biggest upsets in sports history, can't stress that enough. It was the Tyson-Douglas of it's day.
Max Schmeling's first fight after his stunning upset over Joe Louis was against Harry Thomas on December 13th, 1937 at Madison Square Garden. Thomas was a tough SOB who had never been knocked down before. This is a on-site poster from the bout and photos of Schmeling and Thomas at the weigh-in.
Max Schmeling and his trainer Max Machon preparing for Harry Thomas.
Sorry I missed your comment, I'm going so fast on here I can't keep track with everything. Thanks buddy, I'm having a blast! 👍
Max Schmeling being medically examined before his fight with Harry Thomas.
This is a photo of Max Schmeling taken before his fight against Harry Thomas, it's a wicked image, the serious look on his face. And indeed he was serious, he took Thomas apart.
Photos from the Max Schmeling-Harry Thomas fight on December 13th, 1937 at Madison Square Garden. Schmeling systematically cut him down, flooring him seven times and forcing the referee Arthur Donovan to stop the fight in the 8th.
This is one of my favorite images of Max Schmeling, walking back to his corner during the Harry Thomas fight. He looks so laser focused.
Max Schmeling being escorted back to his dressing room by police after the Harry Thomas fight.
Let's look at some Max Schmeling cards shall we? This is one of my favorite Schmeling cards, the 2025 Historic Autographs Max Schmeling Japan Holiday parallel numbered to /5 copies. It's a sick design with the Japan rising sun.
I actually own the black printing plate 1/1 for the card in the above post. I love the black color of the plate because his nickname was "Black Uhlan of the Rhine."
This is the photo that was used for the image of Schmeling on the 2025 Historical Autographs card.
1990 Phoenix Boxing Greats Max Schmeling, love the colors on this card.
1935 Josetti Bunten Filmbilder Max Schmeling - Anny Ondra. This was one of many international tobacco card sets featuring movie stars. It was produced by Josetti Cigarettes, a German tobacco brand. The technical name for the set was Bunten Filmbilder, which, roughly translated is, ‘Colorful movie pictures.’ Cards are a little different from other ones, however. While many of those were black and white sets featuring real images, these had color pictures and a dinstinctive golden border. As was the case in several other movie star sets, boxer Max Schmeling found his way into the issue due to his immense popularity. This set is almost entirely a non-sports release but boxing fans do have an interest in it for Schmeling’s card. Schmeling is here, featured with his wife Anny Ondra, who was an actress. Backs of the cards have a short description of the cards as well as the mention that an album was available for them.
It's fascinating, the image of Max Schmeling and his wife Anny Ondra that was used on the 1935 Josetti Bunten Filmbilder card, the original type 1 photo of that image is actually on eBay right now for sale.
1928 Salem Cigarettes Max Schmeling.
1929 Salem Cigarettes Max Schmeling, really love the Salem Cigarettes cards.
1926 Greiling Max Schmeling and the photo that was used for the image of Schmeling on the card. Greiling was a German cigarette company.
1926 Greiling Serie Boxer, these cards were made with two different variations, large and small. The large is pictured on the top and the small on the bottom.
One of the rarest boxing card sets and cards on this planet, the 1927 York Caramel Max Schmeling. This also happens to be the earliest known card of Schmeling. An absolute treasure.
1948 Leaf Boxing Max Schmeling.
1938 Churchman Max Schmeling and the photo that was used for the image of Schmeling on the card. This is one of my favorites, love the image of Schmeling on this card.
This is an autographed 1938 Churchman Max Schmeling, only one to exist as far as I know.
1946 Kid Herman Max Schmeling. This set of cards was actually created by the legendary bantamweight boxer Pete "Kid" Herman. There are three different variations to these cards, the letters on the front of the card were issued in the colors black, blue, and red, all three variations are rare but the red and blue are particularly rare. The backs of the cards are blank.
1946 Propaganda Montiel Max Schmeling. These cards were a Cuban issue on very thin paper stock, they damage very easily and it's impossible to find these in high grade. There are two different variations, they were issued with the border in orange as seen here and with the border in yellow.
This is the photo that was used for the image of Schmeling on both the 1946 Kid Herman and the 1946 Propaganda Montiel cards.
1954 Knorr Siege-Rekorde-Sensationen - Max Schmeling - Joe Louis.
1930 Amalgamated Press Max Schmeling and the photo that was used for the image of Schmeling on the card. These cards were issued in a strip with other boxers from the era and you can keep them together or cut them off.
1928 Amatller Chocolate Max Schmeling. These cards were issued in Barcelona, Spain, by the Chocolate Amatller company to promote their products
1959 Heinerle Fernseh Parade Max Schmeling. This is the red back variation. I love the design and the image of Schmeling on this card.
1934 Garbaty Moderne Schonheitsgalerie Max Schmeling-Annie Markart. This is a stunningly beautiful card with the gold and blue frame and the colorful photo of Schmeling and actress Annie Markart.
1959 Hokus Pokus Max Schmeling. This card is ridiculously rare. These cards can be found in two variations, with the Hokus Pokus stamp on the back and with a blank back. This was a German issue, not sure how these cards were issued.
1948 Topps Magic Photos Max Schmeling. I have to say, the image of Schmeling on this card turned out nice, a lot of these are faded. The 1948 Topps Magic Photos were produced as self-developing cards that initially appeared blank or sepia-toned to the collector. The image would only appear when exposed to sunlight, a "magic" process and a lot of these cards didn't come out with a clear image of the athlete.
1935 United Tobacco Co. Max Schmeling.
1937 Ardath Cigarettes Photo Cards Max Schmeling and the photo that was used for the image of Schmeling on the card.
1932 Monopol Sports Photos Max Schmeling, fight pose and side view.
This is the photo of Schmeling that was used for the image on his 1932 Monopol Sports Photos, fight pose variation card.
1938 Cartledge Razors Max Schmeling, beautiful card, love this set.
1942 Editorial Bruguera Gato Negro Cromo Cultura Quinto 3 Max Schmeling. This is one of my favorites as well, love the cartoon design and the brilliant colors. This was a small collection of paper-thin cards featuring athletes from around the world. While the set is generally graded as a 1942 issue, some believe it could have been produced later and merely cite it as a 1940s set. The set features fighters Joe Louis, Max Schmeling, and Max Baer. But the biggest card in the set, by a wide margin, is that of the legendary Babe Ruth. This set was issued in Spain and could be glued into albums.
One of Max Schmeling's earliest known cards. Not sure but this looks like some type of exhibit card.
2005 Helmar Brewing Max Schmeling. I really love Helmar Brewing cards, the designs, images on the cards, and colors are awesome.
1932 Haus Bergmann Max Schmeling.
1932 Bulgaria Sport Photos Max Schmeling/Babe Ruth. This card is very pricey because of Babe Ruth being featured on the card.
1930 Viladas Aramunt Max Schmeling. This is another card that was issued in Spain.
This is a gem, a 1928 Max Schmeling doubleheader exhibit card. These exhibit cards usually came with a blank back, coupon back, or stats on the back, this one was issued with Max Schmeling on one side and Billy Wallace on the other. Extremely rare.
1929-41 Max Schmeling exhibit card with a "save your coupons" back.
1993 Ritchie and Co. Max Schmeling from the Movers, Maulers, Fighters, and Floaters set, love this set. These cards have two different variations and can be found with a "Ritchie and Co." back as pictured below, and a "South Wales Constabulary" back. The South Wales backs are very difficult to find.
1935 Muratti Olympischen Spielen Max Schmeling/Fritz Szepan, this is a neat little card that features a cartoon of Schmeling kicking a soccer ball with German soccer player Fritz Szepan.
1975 Sprengel/Huberty Max Schmeling/Joe Louis. I like this card because of it's unusual shape and design.