Q1701s

Olympians

Jesse Owens - Sprints and Long Jump

Fred Collins Signature

Summer 2024 Mail Sale Commentary 

Lot 13 Q1701 — Jesse Owens — Famous Olympians (vertical format hand-painted cachet) — 7-6-90

James Cleveland "Jesse" Owens was an American track and field athlete who won four gold medals at the 1936 Olympic Games against a backdrop of intense racial discrimination. He was an unstoppable athlete who triumphed over adversity and defied the odds. Owens specialized in the sprints and the long jump and was recognized in his lifetime as "perhaps the greatest and most famous athlete in track and field history." The stamps were issued in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and I obtained an absolutely stunning first day of issue postmark from the "Torch Run Station" Post Office.

There was a great deal of controversy regarding the 1936 Olympic Games which were held in Berlin, Germany. Those Olympics took place during Hitler's Nazi regime. Owens provided a demonstrative rebuke of Hitler's ideology by winning four gold medals and creating records that weren't broken for the following 50 years. In the process, Owens shattered racial stereotypes in a hostile environment and showcased the capabilities of black athletes on a global platform. His grave is inscribed: "Jesse Owens. Olympic Champion. 1936. Athlete and humanitarian. A master of the spirit as well as the mechanics of sports. A winner who knew that winning was not everything. He showed extraordinary love for his family and friends. His achievements have shown us all the promise of America. His faith in America inspired countless others to do their best for themselves and their country. September 12, 1913 — March 31, 1980."