28th May, 2026 16:00

OstLicht Photo Auction Spring 2026

 
  Lot 55
 

THOMAS HOEPKER (1936–2024)
Muhammad Ali demonstrating his punch, Chicago 1966

Estimate
€10,000 - €12,000
Current bid
€8,000
(3bids)
 

Buyer's premium: 20%

Droit de suite may apply to this lot

Register to bid

Lot details

Start price: € 6,000

Estimate: € 10,000–12,000

English:

Vintage silver print on double-weight semi-matte paper, in good condition. Signed by the photographer in pencil, handwritten negative number "2723-9" in pencil, two "Magnum Photos Inc." copyright labels with typographic credit, title and date, one with caption "Muhammad Ali demonstrating his punch, which had the same power as a 3 ton blow", "Personalities: Muhammad Ali" archive label, Magnum's "may not be cropped or altered in any way" label on the reverse.

Hoepker accompanied Muhammad Ali for a number of weeks in Chicago in 1966 having been commissioned by stern magazine. His iconic photograph of the legendary heavyweight champion showing off his right fist captures both the man and the myth. The image was published many times, including in the catalogue: Thomas Hoepker. Photographien 1955–2005, ed. by Ulrich Pohlmann. As the only vintage print from Hoepker's possession, printed by himself, this rare collector's item shows signs of wear, that attest to the significance of the motif.

subject to resale right

Deutsch:

Vintage-Silbergelatineabzug auf kartonstarkem, halbmattem Papier, in gutem Zustand. Rückseitig mit Bleistift vom Fotografen signiert, handschriftliche Negativnummer "2723-9", zwei "Magnum Photos Inc." Copyright-Label mit typografischem Credit, Titel und Datierung, eines mit Bildtext "Muhammad Ali demonstrating his punch, which had the same power as a 3 ton blow", Archivetikette "Personalities: Muhammad Ali" und Magnum-Label mit editorischen Richtlinien "may not be cropped or altered in any way".

Im Auftrag des Magazins „stern“ begleitete Hoepker Muhammad Ali 1966 mehrere Wochen lang in Chicago. Seine ikonische Fotografie des legendären Schwergewichtsweltmeisters, der seine rechte Faust präsentiert, fängt sowohl den Menschen als auch den Mythos ein. Das Bild wurde vielfach veröffentlicht, unter anderem im Katalog: Thomas Hoepker. Photographien 1955–2005, hrsg. von Ulrich Pohlmann. Als einziger Vintage-Abzug aus Hoepkers Besitz, den er selbst geprintet hat, weist dieses seltene Sammlerstück Gebrauchsspuren auf, die von der Bedeutung des Motivs zeugen.

folgerechtspflichtig

Image size: 27.4 x 20.8 cm

 

Auction: OstLicht Photo Auction Spring 2026, 28th May, 2026

PREVIEW

23–27 May, 12 pm – 6 pm
28 May, 9 am – 5 pm
or by appointment

Download Photo Auction Catalogue Part 1 & 2

 

View all lots in this sale

.

For some lots, resale rights are charged at a hammer price of EUR 2,500 or above. This is for the benefit of the artist or his heirs. The fee is 4% for hammer prices from 2,500 to 50,000 EUR, 3% from 55,000 EUR. The buyer will be billed for the resale right. 

Relevant lots are marked with ‟Droit de suite may apply to this lot”.