Sal Veder Signed “Burst of Joy” Pulitzer Prize Photo

Photograph Signed, “To Honor! ‘Burst of Joy!’ Sal Veder”, 8.5” x 11”, Travis Air Force Base, March 17, 1973. Black and white photograph is printed on matte Kodak paper. Tiny bump to top left corner, else fine condition.

“Burst of Joy” is a Pulitzer Prize-winning photograph taken by Associated Press photographer Slava "Sal" Veder. It depicts United States Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Robert L. Stirm being reunited with his family, after spending more than five years in captivity as a prisoner of war in North Vietnam.The centerpiece of the photograph is Stirm's 15-year-old daughter Lorrie, who is running towards her father with outstretched arms, as the rest of the family approaches directly behind her.

According to Smithsonian Magazine, Veder had been standing in a crowded bullpen with dozens of other journalists and noticed the sprinting family, so he started taking pictures, “You could feel the energy and the raw emotion in the air.” Veder then rushed to the makeshift photo developing station in one of the air base's flightline washrooms, and in less than thirty minutes, Veder had developed six remarkable images of that singular moment. Veder's pick, which he instantly titled “Burst of Joy”, was sent out over the news-service wires.

About the picture and its legacy, Lorrie Stirm once said, "We have this very nice picture of a very happy moment, but every time I look at it, I remember the families that weren't reunited, and the ones that aren't being reunited today - many, many families - and I think, I'm one of the lucky ones."

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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