Mid Summer Classic Auction 2016
Tue, Mar 8, 2016 04:00PM EST - Sat, Aug 20, 2016 11:00PM EDT
Timed Auction
Lot 120
BOB COUSY'S 1996 NBA 50 GREATEST PLAYERS AUTOGRAPHED LIMITED EDITION 1/1 LITHOGRAPH
Sold for
$68,356.80
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 |
In conjunction with the NBA's 50th Anniversary in 1996 the NBA named its 50 greatest players. Remarkably 49 of the 50 players selected were alive and present when they were honored as part of the 1996-97 All-Star festivities. A magnificent creation was unveiled during that event in the form of a series of 25" x 39" lithographs. These incredible pieces were printed on the highest quality acid-free paper and bear the likeness of each of the 50 greatest players as selected by the NBA itself. Each player singed the lithos in pencil beneath their image. The edition was limited to 250 individually numbered pieces worldwide with only 50 numbered "Legends" editions offered to the public. Most significantly each player was given their own personal copy that was numbered 1 of 1 in exchange for their signatures. Offered here is Bob Cousy's personal copy numbered "Cousy 1/1". Very rarely do player editions come on the market and this without question is the most significant example ever offered publicly. The 50 Greatest Players lithograph is the ultimate symbol of the NBA's evolution. Perhaps no other player has had more of an impact on that evolution than Bob Cousy. When Cousy joined the Celtics in 1950 the NBA only in its fifth year of operation was fighting for survival. Some fans likened the game's first real major league to little more than a traveling tent show. Cousy's unprecedented athleticism and ball-handling wizardry captivated fans league-wide. He almost single handedly transformed the league laying a foundation for the worldwide stage that is today's NBA. All of the greatest players that followed on the path he laid are featured on this lithograph including Michael Jordan Bill Russell Wilt Chamberlain Magic Johnson Larry Bird Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Jerry West Oscar Robertson Shaquille O'Neal etc. The NBA's 50 Greatest litho is easily the greatest lithograph series ever created in any sport. This is arguably the most important example from the esteemed edition and it is framed to museum standards.
Full LOA from PSA/DNA.
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