Spring Premier Auction 2014
Wed, Apr 30, 2014 08:00PM EDT - Sun, May 18, 2014 12:30PM EDT
Timed Auction
Lot 879
1961-62 BOSTON CELTICS WORLD CHAMPION TEAM SIGNED BASKETBALL
Sold for
$1,694.40
Sold Price includes BP
Bid Increments
| Price | Bid Increment |
|---|---|
| $200 | $25 |
| $500 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $100 |
| $3,000 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $2,000 |
| $30,000 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 | $25,000 |
| $500,000 | $50,000 |
| $1,000,000 | $100,000 |
| $1,500,000 | $150,000 |
The 1961-62 NBA season was mythological in that you almost had to see it to believe it. There was Wilt "The Stilt" and his Zeus-like 100-point game on March 2 1962 culminating in unfathomable season averages of 50+ points and 25+ rebounds per game. Then there was "The Big O" and his own omnipresent video-game numbers to the tune of 30.8 points 12.4 rebounds and 11.8 assists per game becoming the first and likely the last to average a triple-double for an entire season. Alas it was the Boston Celtics who after knocking off Wilt and his Philadelphia Warriors in the Eastern Conference playoffs defeated the Los Angeles Lakers (4-3) in the 1962 NBA Finals to capture their fourth straight NBA title en route to an unprecedented run of eight in a row and eleven in thirteen years. To this day no team in North American professional sports history has matched such a feat. It was the beginning stages of what would become arguably the most intense cross-coast rivalry in all of sports. And this 1961-62 Celtics team may have been the most significant thorn in the Lakers side as it began a run of six wins in six tries that a Bill Russell led Celtics team beat the Lakers in the NBA Finals. Not until Bird vs. Magic II in the 1985 Finals would this trend finally come to an end.
This MacGregor X10L basketball (brand commonly used by NCAA in 1950's and 1960's) has 13 total autographs in black felt tip pen including Celtics team owner Walter Brown head coach Red Auerbach and the following 11 players on the roster at the end of the season: Bill Russell Bob Cousy Sam Jones Tom Heinsohn K.C. Jones Frank Ramsey Tom Sanders Jim Loscutoff Gary Phillips Carl Braun and Gene Gaurilia. The ball is still in great condition considering its age. The signatures are slightly faded but all easily legible. Most fall in the 5-8/10 range. Russell looks to be 7/10 Auerback 7.5/10 with Cousy and Brown around 5-6/10. Overall an incredible piece of Boston Celtics history. Walter Brown was the team's founding owner in 1945 until his death in 1964. A rare opportunity to have his autograph alongside Auerbach Russel and so many other legendary Celtics players he signed and developed. The ball is personalized "To Robert" in reference to the consignor's family friend who had connections with the team during that era.
Pre-certified by PSA/DNA.
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