NBA "50 Greatest Players" Autographed LE Framed Lithograph

• Sold For: $29,625
• Year: -
• Auction: 2013 April
• Lot #: 1
• Auction Category: Basketball Cards or Memorabilia

The circumstances were most appropriate. The numbers were astounding. The celebration was justified. In October 1996 at New York’s Grand Hyatt Hotel (the site of the former Commodore Hotel where the NBA’s original charter was signed 50 years earlier), Commissioner David Stern announced the league’s “50 Greatest Players” since that opening tip back in 1946. To that date, esteemed members had amassed 107 championships, 447 All-Star Game selections and 923,791 points. While we’re counting, let us behold the bold signatures of (49) of those legendary hardwood performers.Framed to dimensions of 35-1/4 x 48-1/4”, a gorgeous limited edition (22/100) NBA Edition lithograph has been composed by “Dreams, Inc.” on acid-free archival quality paper. Those 50 iconic players are portrayed in full color with graphite pencil endorsements (average “8-9” strength) serving as identifiers (with the lone exception of Pete Maravich, who passed away in 1988 and was posthumously named to the team).Autographs include: Abdul-Jabbar, Archibald, Arizin, Barkley, Barry, Baylor, Bing, Bird, Chamberlain, Cousy, Cowens, Cunningham, DeBusschere, Drexler, Erving, Ewing, Frazier, Gervin, Greer, Havlicek, Hayes, Johnson, Jones, Jordan, Lucas, K. Malone (inscribed “32”), M. Malone, McHale, Mikan, Monroe, O’Neal, Olajuwon, Parish, Pettit, Pippen, Reed, Robertson, Robinson (inscribed “EPH 6:10-12”), Russell, Schayes, Sharman, Stockton, Thomas, Thurmond, Unseld, Walton, West, Wilkens and Worthy (Stern has also signed the piece).Accompanying is a COA signed by Stern, as well as by Joie Casey (President, Field of Dreams) and Sam Battistone (Chairman, Field of Dreams). This item has a reserve (estimated value $25,000-$50,000)Note: due to the size of this lot, a shipping surcharge will apply.In all, (250) of these were produced, with a distribution breakdown as follows: Players Edition (50); Legends Edition (50); Field of Dreams Edition (50); NBA Edition (100)Frames included with lots: while we make every effort to protect the frames included in these lots during pre-auction storage and post-auction shipping, we are not responsible for any damage to the frames themselves, and no refunds will be given due to frame damage.