LOT #53500 |
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1980-81 Boston Celtics Pre-Season Training Camp Team Signed Basketball with Pete Maravich & Dave Cowens!...
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Sold on Aug 28, 2022 for:
$6,300.00
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Description
1980-81 Boston Celtics Pre-Season Training Camp Team Signed Basketball with Pete Maravich & Dave Cowens! A 1980-81 Boston Celtics team signed basketball from Larry Bird's first championship season would be a cause for celebration in and of itself. But what makes this exemplar especially rare and unique is that it contains the autographs of Hall of Famers Pistol Pete Maravich and Dave Cowens, both of whom retired during the team's training camp prior to the start of that historic campaign. Just imagine what that team would have accomplished if those two greats had stayed on.AMF Voit basketball is signed by ten Boston Celtics from the 1980-81 championship season, including Hall of Famers "Pistol Pete" Maravich, Larry Bird, Dave Cowens and Robert Parish (clubhouse version). Others in attendance include Cedric Maxwell, Chis Ford, M.L. Carr, Gerald Henderson, Rick Robey and Eric Fernsten. The ball is EX-MT and the black sharpie autographs grade an overall 8.5/10 in strength. This is the only known 1980-81 Celtics ball with Maravich and/or Cowens and most likely the last basketball Maravich ever signed as an active player.
In all likelihood, the ball was signed between September 12-19, 1980 based on this timeline: Maravich signed a one-year contract for $200,000 on September 11th, reported to training camp on September 12th, scored 38 points in the Green and White Game (leading the backups to a win) on September 19th and then retired on September 20th.
In his incredible letter of provenance, our consignor describes in great detail the circumstances of how he acquired this one-of-a-kind treasure:
"I have had this signed basketball since before my wedding in October 1980. At that time, my fiancée had a cousin who was friends with Dave and Debbie Cowens and, at some point in 1980, she had mentioned to them that I was a big Boston Celtics' fan and that there was an upcoming bridal shower for us.
My cousin and wedding party then planned a wedding shower for my fiancée and myself. My fiancée's cousin was given an autographed basketball from Dave Cowens to give to me as a shower gift.
I was quite surprised when I was told Dave Cowens gave my cousin a gift for me. It was in a gift bag with my name on it. I took it out of the bag and WOW, it had all of the Celtics' autographs from the 1980-81 pre-season training camp.
I purchased an oak based basketball stand with a cover and have had the basketball inside it since 1980. When my son was 8 years old, he and I started a collection of signed baseballs and other collectable items and they resided at my house in a glass hutch. Many times over the years, whenever I've had company at the house, people have admired the basketball with the signatures of Larry Bird, Pistol Pete, Dave Cowens, Robert Parish and others. It has always been a great story to share on how I acquired the basketball.
It's time to share this basketball with another basketball fan, as I've enjoyed having this ball for over 40 years."
Letter of provenance from consignor. Full LOA from PSA/DNA.
Auction Info
2022 August 27 - 28 Summer Platinum Night Sports Auction #50058 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
August, 2022
27th-28th
Saturday-Sunday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 2
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 344
Buyer's Premium per Lot:
20% of the successful bid per lot.
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