1996 NBA's 50 Greatest Players Signed Limited "NBA Edition" (98/100) Lithograph....

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1996 NBA's 50 Greatest Players Signed Limited "NBA Edition" (98/100) Lithograph. The NBA and Field of Dreams took the occasion of the league's 50th anniversary in 1996 to honor the "50 Greatest Players" with the creation of a signed lithograph that has forever after been considered the Holy Grail of basketball autograph collecting. Over a period of five days, forty-nine legends of the hardcourt were brought together for the autograph sessions, the sport's most exclusive brotherhood creating the hobby's most exclusive collectible. And so this remarkable piece of memorabilia was born, linking several generations of NBA legends beginning with the earliest days of the fledgling league when it was cobbled together at the end of World War II.

Present are striking pencil signatures from early stars of the league like George Mikan, Bill Sharman, Bob Cousy, Paul Arizin and Bob Pettit; golden era names Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, Elgin Baylor, Mr. Clutch, and The Big O; 1970's standouts Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Rick Barry, Dr. J and Clyde; and more modern era luminaries Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan and Shaq. And even then NBA Commissioner David Stern.

The once-in-a-lifetime assembly could never be duplicated, with several of the elder statesmen having passed away in the two decades since this artifact's creation. The 25x39" print features color portraits of the NBA's selection of its Top 50 players, with 9/10 or 10/10 pencil signatures below each, with only "Pistol Pete" Maravich, who perished suddenly and tragically in 1988, not included among the autographs. Executed on an elegant eighty-pound Teton felt cover warm white acid-free heavy stock, the print is professionally matted and framed to overall dimensions to 32.5x46".

The NBA 50 Greatest Players lithograph was limited to five editions of 250 individually numbered pieces -- a "Player's Edition" of 50 going directly to the players, an "NBA Edition" of 100, a "Legends Edition" of 50, and a "Field of Dreams" edition of 50. There were also a handful of artist's proofs and printer's proofs struck. This print is number "98/100" from the "NBA" edition. COA from Field of Dreams. Full LOA from James Spence Authentication(BB42091). Full LOA from Beckett Authentication Services. Full LOA from PSA/DNA.