This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 9/7/2012.
The 1951 NBA All-Star Game was an exhibition basketball game played on March 2, 1951 at the Boston Garden. The game was the first edition of the NBA All-Star Game. The idea of holding an All-Star Game was conceived during a meeting between NBA President Maurice Podoloff, NBA publicity director Haskell Cohen and Boston Celtics owner Walter A. Brown. At that time, the basketball world had just been stunned by the college basketball point-shaving scandal. In order to regain public attention to the league, Cohen suggested the league to host an exhibition game featuring the league's best players, similar to the Major League Baseball's All-Star Game. Vern Mikkelsen was a unanimous selection to the Western All-Stars and scored 11 points with 9 rebounds and an assist. The historic significance of this shirt being worn during the inaugural All-Star Game cannot be overstated. On the center front tail is the “Horace Partridge” manufacturer’s tag with size “42”. Player number “19” appears on both the front and back in white tackle twill. Each number is surrounded by many red tackle twill stars. The jersey is properly tagged, was presented to us as game-used and in our opinion shows appropriate use. Accompanied by a LOA from Vern Mikkelsen.
Lots 15–21 presented in this auction catalog are consigned to us directly from Minneapolis Lakers All-Time Great & NBA Hall of Famer Vern Mikkelsen. These treasures are absolutely fantastic and truly represent what the game of basketball used to be. Vern and his family have been a pleasure to work with and we are honored to present his personal collection at this year’s Hall of Fame Induction Auction.