This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 9/7/2013.
The "50 Greatest Players in NBA History" were selected by a blue-ribbon panel of media, former players and coaches, current and former general managers and team executives. The announcement was made at a press luncheon in New York City in 1996 by NBA Commissioner David Stern. The collective accomplishments of these stars is beyond comprehension: 107 NBA championship rings, over 400 NBA All-Star Game selections, 49 MVP's, 17 Rookies of the Year, 36 scoring titles and nearly one million points scored. This magnificent, historic lithograph entitled "National Basketball Association, 50 Greatest Players, 1946-1996 was produced by Field Of Dreams in conjunction with the NBA. This historic lithograph was a limited edition of 250 pieces made in four series, this one is of the 50 Players Edition with “Lucas1/1” in pencil on the lower left. The lithograph features photographic portraits of each member, each of whom has signed in pencil below his rendition. The only exception is Pete Maravich, who rather than a signature is memorialized with a printed "Pete Maravich 1947-1988. Signatures include Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Nate Archibald, Paul Arizin (deceased), Charles Barkley, Rick Barry, Elgin Baylor, Dave Bing, Larry Bird, Wilt Chamberlain (deceased), Bob Cousy, Dave Cowens, Billy Cunningham, Dave DeBusschere (deceased), Clyde Drexler, Julius Erving, Patrick Ewing, Walt Frazier, George Gervin, Hal Greer, John Havlicek, Elvin Hayes, Magic Johnson, Karl Malone, Moses Malone, Kevin McHale, George Mikan (deceased), Earl Monroe, Hakeem Olajuwon, Shaquille O'Neal, Robert Parish, Bob Pettit, Scottie Pippen, Willis Reed, Oscar Robertson, David Robinson, Bill Russell, Dolph Schayes, Bill Sharman, John Stockton, Isiah Thomas, Nate Thurmond, Wes Unseld, Bill Walton, Jerry West, Lenny Wilkens, James Worthy, Sam Jones, Michael Jordan and Jerry Lucas. NBA Commissioner David Stern’s pencil signature also appears in lower right. Museum quality frame measuring 42” x 28”, produced on 100% acid free archival quality paper. NRMT-MINT condition overall with signatures that rate from 9 to 10. Accompanied by a LOA from Jerry Lucas. Due to size and weight, this lot will require additional shipping and packaging charges.
This lot will come with a hand signed letter from Jerry Lucas as well as a Naismith Memorabilia Basketball Hall of Fame letter of authenticity.
Lots 1–17 presented in this auction catalog are consigned to us directly from NBA Hall of Famer and Top 50 great Jerry Lucas. Jerry Lucas is one of the greatest basketball players in the history of the game. Lucas is one of only three players in history to win championships at every level (high school, college, NBA, Olympics); was named one of the Top Fifty players in NBA history; and named one of the Top 15 All-Time March Madness Players. During his career Lucas was a 7-time All-Pro, was the NBA All-Star Game MVP and is the only forward in league history to pull down 40 rebounds in a game. In 1973, he was a member of the New York Knicks World Championship team. He retired from the game with time remaining on his contract to pursue his passion of education and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1979. We are honored to present this collection at our 2013 Hall of Fame Induction Auction.