Lot 94. David Robinson (HoF) Autographed Official NBA Basketball. Mint 9 signature by one of the greatest centers in NBA history. The league’s 1990 Rookie of the Year, Robison played on two NBA championship teams with San Antonio, earned All-Star honors 10 times, was selected as the 1995 MVP and was named to the NBA 50th Anniversary All-Time Team. He signed a panel above the Spalding logo and added his uniform number and a reference to Proverbs. Authenticated by Kevin Keating and accompanied by a signed letter “From the Desk of Tommy John.”
Winning Bid $95.
Lot 272. Autographs of 45 Basketball HoF Members – Wooden, Semjonova, McGuire, Pollard, Etc. Impressive collection containing the signatures of more than 10 percent of the Hall of Fame members, including players, coaches, contributors and referees. Almost all of the autographs are on or near the member’s photograph and biography in Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame publications. Authenticated by Kevin Keating, they grade mint 9 or gem mint 10. Here is a complete list of the signatures: Nate Archibald, Paul Arizin (died 2006), Walt Bellamy, Ben L. Carnevale (d. 2008), Bill Cunningham, Bud Foster, Clarence Gaines (d. 2005), Harry Gallatin, Jack Gardner (d. 2000, personalized), Pop Gates (d. 1999), Tom Gola, Hal Greer, Cliff Hagan, Les Harrison (d. 1997), Marv Harshman, Tom Heinsohn, Red Holzman (d. 1998), Dan Issel, Sam Jones, Bob Knight, Bob Kurland, Harry Litwack (d. 1999), Ed Macauley, Arad A. McCutchan, Al McGuire (d. 2001), Dick McGuire (d. 2010), John McLendon (d. 1999), Ray Meyer (d. 2006), Ralph H. Miller (d. 2001), Pete Newell (d. 2008), John P. Nucatola (d. 2000), Andy Phillip (d. 2001), Jim Pollard (d. 1993), Dolph Schayes, Ultana Semjonova (an extremely tough autograph), Bill Sharman, Dallas J Shirley (d. 1994), Borislav Stankovic, Ed Steitz (d. 1990, pers.), Earl Strom (d. 1994), Pat Summit, Fred Taylor, Bob Wanzer, Stan Watts (d. 2000) and John Wooden (d. 2010). Most of the autographs are in the Hall of Fame’s 1987 yearbook. The others are in yearbook supplements or HoF induction programs. The HoF autographs that are not near photos and biographies are inside the front cover of the 1987 yearbook; these signers are Strom, Foster and Summit. At the time they signed, they were not in the Hall of Fame. Strom’s signature on a HoF item is uncommon; he was enshrined posthumously. Other signatures on the inside of the cover are by Jud Heathcote, who coached Magic Johnson at Michigan State; Will Robinson, the first Division 1 African-American coach, and Lee Williams (d. 2011), who served as the Hall of Fame executive director. With more than 20 deceased members included, this collection represents a good start on a comprehensive Hall of Fame collection.
Winning Bid $182.
Lot 273. Photos Signed by 5 Celtics HoFers – Bird, Cousy, McHale, Parrish and Sharman. Collectively, this group captured 10 NBA championships and earned four NBA MVP awards. All five were selected among the NBA’s best 50 players of all-time. In addition, after they were done playing, Larry Bird and Bill Sharman successfully made the transition to coaching. Both were named NBA Coach of the Year. Their autographs and those of Bob Cousy, Robert Parrish and Kevin McHale are on 8” x 10” color photos mounted on 10.5” x 13” plaques that are ready for display. The signatures are mint 9s and gem mint 10s authenticated by Kevin Keating.
Winning Bid $110.
Lot 274. Scarce Autograph of Doc Carlson, Hall of Fame Basketball Coach. An M.D., Henry Clifford Carlson was a member of the inaugural class of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 1959 and the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006. He was recognized for his success at the University of Pittsburgh, where his basketball teams posted a 367-247 record from 1922-53 and won national championships in 1928 and 1930. They also advanced to the Final Four in 1941 and captured the Eastern Intercollegiate Conference Championship from 1933-35 and in 1937. As a Pitt student 1914-18, Carlson earned three letters in basketball, two in baseball and four in football. He played on the Panthers’ national championship football team in 1916 and received first-team All-American honors in 1917. Carlson’s signature, as “H. C. Carlson,” is a 10 on a 1962 typed letter on Pitt stationery to Chet Smith, “Pittsburgh Press” sports editor. Carlson died in 1964. Authenticated by Kevin Keating.
Winning Bid $204.
Lot 275. Paul Arizin Signed Letter Describing What His Hall of Fame Induction Means to Him. One-page handwritten 1992 letter with a gem mint 10 autograph authenticated by Kevin Keating. Arizin, who spent his NBA career with the Philadelphia Warriors, describes his HoF induction as “a great honor” but cites “greater thrills” in pro basketball. He passed away in 2006.
Minimum Bid $50.
Lot 276. 2 Rick Barry Signed Letters Describing What His Hall of Fame Induction Means to Him. In a one-page hand-printed letter, Barry discusses the significance of being inducted into the HoF, and on an unlined page, he describes the induction day itself. The first page is signed “Rick Barry,” and the second, “Rick.” The signatures are 10s authenticated by Kevin Keating. Undated, the letters are from an early 1990s collection. Barry played for the San Francisco Warriors, Oakland Oaks, Washington Caps, New York Nets, Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets. Two signatures.
Winning Bid $70.
Lot 277. Coach Howard G. Cann Signed Letter on What His Hall of Fame Induction Means to Him. In 1968, Cann (died 1992) was inducted into the Hall of Fame in recognition of his success as the basketball coach at New York University. He describes the importance of the honor in a one-page typed letter. His signature, authenticated by Kevin Keating, is nm-m 8. The letter is accompanied by the original mailing envelope, as well as both an ALS signed by his wife and another one-page unsigned letter he dictated to his wife elaborating on his induction. Four pieces.
Minimum Bid $75.
Lot 278. 2 Coach Ben Carnevale Signed Letters on What His Hall of Fame Induction Means to Him. Carnevale, who passed away in 2008, coached at North Carolina and Navy. He signed two handwritten letters. One deals with his career and HoF selection, and the other, the induction day itself. Both original mailing envelopes are included. The autographs are 10s authenticated by Kevin Keating.
Minimum Bid $70.
Lot 279. 2 Al Cervi Signed Letters (4 Signatures) on What His HoF Induction Means to Him. Cervi (died 2009) was a pro basketball pioneer. From 1937-53, he played at various times for the Buffalo Bisons and Rochester Royals of the National Basketball League, the Trenton Tigers of the American Basketball League and the Syracuse Nationals of the NBA. He also coached the Nationals and the Philadelphia Warriors. In two separate signed handwritten letters, Cervi describes highlights of his career, his HoF induction and his reaction to it. In one letter, he mentions himself, as “Al Cervi,” twice. These two “signatures” and the two at the end of the letter yield a total of four. Kevin Keating authenticated the autographs, which are small and bold, nm-m 8 to mint 9.
Minimum Bid $70.
Lot 280. Bob Cousy Signed Letters Describing What His Hall of Fame Induction Means to Him. The HoF Boston Celtic signed two letters, each handwritten on lined paper. Each discusses the importance team goals and his reaction to being selected by the HoF. Kevin Keating authenticated the autographs, which are mint 9 to gem mint 10.
Winning Bid $75.
Lot 281. 2 H.E. Bud Foster Signed Letters on What His Hall of Fame Induction Means to Him. Foster, who passed away in 1996, coached the University of Wisconsin from 1934-59. His autographs are on two handwritten letters. In one, he describes his reaction to his HoF induction, and in the other, the induction day itself. He signed the first letter “H. E. Foster,” and the second, “H. E. ‘Bud’ Foster.” In addition, both mailing envelopes are included, and both are signed, one as “H. E. Foster,” and the other as “Foster.” Four signatures, mint 9, all authenticated by Kevin Keating!
Minimum Bid $100.
Lot 282. Lauren “Laddie” Gale Signed Letter on What His Hall of Fame Induction Means to Him. Gem mint 10 autograph at the close of a one-page handwritten letter. Authentication by Kevin Keating. In 1939, Gale led the Oregon Ducks to the national championship in the first Division 1 men’s basketball tournament. He also played professionally with the Detroit Eagles of the National Basketball League. Gale was inducted to the HoF for his play at Oregon, for being the first college player to use the one-handed shot regularly and for helping to popularize basketball in the West. He passed away in 1996.
Winning Bid $70.
Lot 283. Tom Gola Signed Letter Describing What His Hall of Fame Induction Means to Him. Gola was an All-American at LaSalle University and a star for the Warriors of Philadelphia and San Francisco and the New York Knicks. His signature is a 9-10 at the close of a typed letter. Authenticated by Kevin Keating.
Winning Bid $40.
Lot 285. 2 Marv Harshman Signed Letters Describing the Meaning of His Hall of Fame Induction. Harshman coached at Pacific Lutheran, the University of Washington and Washington State. He was the PAC-8 Coach of the Year in 1976, the PAC-10 Coach of the Year in 1982 and 1984 and the Kodak Division 1 Coach of the Year in 1984. In two two-page letters, he details the greatest thrills of his career and the meaning of his HoF selection. One letter is on lined paper. Kevin Keating authenticated the autographs, which are 10s. Accompanied by one original mailing envelope.
Winning Bid $70.
