JAMES McMULLAN AT GIRAFFICS GALLERY POSTER, CLASSIC TENNIS MATCH BUDGE vs. CRAMM.

McMullan, James.

Published by Sag Harbor: Giraffics, [1983]. [1983]., 1983

- sc - A 21 inch high by 27 inch wide poster for James McMullan's exhibition of sketches and small watercolors at Giraffics Gallery. The offset lithographic illustration portrays the classic 1937 Davis Cup tennis match, arguably the greatest tennis match ever played, between American Don Budge and the German Gottfried von Cramm in the years leading up to the second world war. Von Cramm is pictured at the top ready to receive the ball which Budge, airborne, has hit across the net. The players are identified by the artist within the image. Titled "James McMullan at Giraffics Gallery August 6-17 / An exhibition of sketches and small watercolors by James McMullan at Giraffics Gallery, Main Street, Sag Harbor. Produced by Giraffics, P.O. Box 2013, Sag harbor 11963". Near fine. Arguably the greatest tennis match ever played. The 1937 Davis Cup match was supposed to be a piece of cake for Don Budge who had beaten von Cramm at Wimbledon a few weeks before, but. Von Cramm won the first 2 sets. Budge came back to win the next two and, with von Cramm leading in the 5th set, Budge came back and the score tied at 6-6 for a stretch before Budge finally took the lead and won the match. Adding to the drama, not only was the German tennis player Gottfried von Cramm gay during the Third Reich, but his lover was Jewish and his wife was one-quarter Jewish. Followed by the Gestapo, von Cramm knew that his life might well depend on his success. It is interesting to note that the German tennis team was coached by Bill Tilden, an American tennis idol. Tilden himself was also gay and, having been ostracized in his own country because of his sexual orientation, jumped at the chance offered to him by the Germans. Inevitably, Gottfried von Cramm was arrested by the Germans and imprisoned on morals charges in 1938, though he avoided the fate of many others who were sent to the camps. Seller Inventory # 31471

Bibliographic Details

Title: JAMES McMULLAN AT GIRAFFICS GALLERY POSTER, ...
Publisher: Sag Harbor: Giraffics, [1983]. [1983].
Publication Date: 1983
Condition: Fine