Many thanks for the kind words, Jim - I really appreciate that!
Regarding to toybulldog's photo/letter it is quite obvious that 1) the dedication on that one is nearly identical to the one on Jim's beautiful exemplar (the only differences being that "freundlichen" was abbreviated to "freundl." and Max added "gewidmet von" which only means "dedicated by"). 2) Much to my surprise, I have to admit that the quality of google's translation service has actually significantly improved within the past five years - the translation they have offered is indeed muuuuch more accurate than the other one which is...well, let's say "choppy" in order to avoid any kind of verbal slander towards the guys who programmed it...
Nevertheless, I guess a more accurate and correct translation wouldn't do any harm:
"Dear Mr Woller!
Thanks a lot for your kind letter.
I am gladly willing to accept the charge of referee in your dispute, but have to tell you in advance that you will have to suffer a knock-out defeat. The crucial punch was a right-handed one, about ten inches long [it appears as if he is referring to a cut that had ended a fight (of his?)] and invisible for the majority of the audience.
Enclosed you will find a photo of me.
Hoping you haven't bet [on the boxer who had lost the fight] I wish all the best to you and your discordant friends.
Yours sincerely
Max Schmeling"
Would be really interesting to unravel the mystery surrounding the fight both - Max and the person asking him for his advice - are referring to. First I thought it could have been a defeat of Schmeling himself, but as far as I know, he hadn't lost for almost a year in January 1929, so maybe it's more plausible to assume that the fight in question was one of his victories?
Dirk