1937 Luz Long British Athletics Championships Trio of Original Photos by Max Schirner - All PSA/DNA Type I (Luz Long Collection)

In addition to the many medals and documents in this collection are dozens of fascinating original photographs depicting Luz Long doing what he did best: competing in either the long jump or the triple jump. They come directly from the Long family and several were submitted to PSA/DNA for Type I authentication. Offered here is a trio from the 1937 British Athletics Championships (AAA) hosted in London on July 16 and 17, with Luz representing Germany as a member of his Leipziger Sport Club. Traditionally an international meet open to athletes worldwide, this major competition was organized by the Amateur Athletic Association (AAA) of England and was first held in 1880. During the 1920’s and early 1930’s, the AAA Championships was Europe's most prestigious track and field championship until the first official European Athletics Championships (Turin, Italy) in 1934. The German superstar won the long jump with a mark of 7.45 meters. It was Long’s first major European title following his silver medal at the 1936 Berlin Olympics.

Reverse stampings from “Das Sportbild von Schirner” credit all three photos to Max Schirner, a prominent German photographer who covered the 1936 Berlin Olympics. The action shot of Luz in flight has the original press caption attached to the back (Luz’s winning long jump mark is highlighted) along with some editorial notes. The other two photos – (1) an AAA official measuring Luz’s jump right after his attempt and (2) Luz standing with a teammate and his longtime coach, George Richter – have handwritten notes in blue ink on the reverse indicating the date, event, location, and Long’s winning mark. The photos each measure 5” by 7” (13 x 18 cm) and come encapsulated in PSA/DNA Type I holders with separate letters from PSA/DNA noting the pedigree from the Luz Long Collection.