Only signed PSA/DNA 1961 Fleer Basketball Complete Set EVER!

[Hankphenom]

Is there a story, Jeff, and has Grad OK'd it?

[JollyElm]

Conspiracy theory alert:
Is it possible that the 'Z' looking flourish under his name is for "Zimmerman"??

[calvindog]

Originally Posted by Hankphenom

Is there a story, Jeff, and has Grad OK'd it?

One of Bob’s close friend’s is a friend of mine and he got me the ball. At some point I’ll get all the balls in my collection authenticated before selling them, but there’s hundreds of them.

[Collectorsince62]

Congrats on completing the journey. I wonder how Lenny Wilkens felt about signing a card that spelled his name wrong.

[B O'Brien]

That’s a crazy cool accomplishment! I bet tracking down the one of one was a great feeling!
Enjoy,
Bob

[bleeckerstreetcards]

As a fellow quixotic signed set collector this is inspiring and amazing. What a life accomplishment in this little hobby we have. So happy for you and hope you’re celebrating for quite some time. Well done!!

[vthobby]

Originally Posted by Collectorsince62

Congrats on completing the journey. I wonder how Lenny Wilkens felt about signing a card that spelled his name wrong.

2 cards have wrong names:

The second one is Phil Jordon (spelled Jordan) on the card.

Spellcheck was not working in 1961 apparently!

[Snowman]

Originally Posted by Collectorsince62

Congrats on completing the journey. I wonder how Lenny Wilkens felt about signing a card that spelled his name wrong.

Lenny is great. He'll actually sign through the mail. I've sent him a few cards to sign and he always sends them right back. He lives in Medina, WA. I can give you his mailing address if want to get one signed. I forget what he charges, but it's pretty cheap. Like $20 or $30 or something. Here's my 61 Fleer from my set that I had him sign for me.

[ALR-bishop]

Incredible feat. I am a baseball collector and have only 2 basketball sets, this one and the Essex Meats St. Louis Hawks set from the same time period. Grew up in St. Louis when Hawks were still there. Great memories from this set.

So what’s next ? 😊

[JollyElm]

I dare say that the coolest thing ever would be to get Lenny Wilkens to autograph his rookie card with the spelling it shows, "Wilkins," changing that 'e' to an 'i.'

Not only would it be an epic (I would assume) one of a kind piece, but it would drive authenticators insane trying to verify the signature.

[jad22]

I think I have seen 3 or 4 signed Braun cards, this is one of them (and probably the nicest). Braun did not really sign after he retired. He frequently signed stuff during his playing days but nothing after. So he is pretty easy to find on vintage Knick items and period signed Celtics programs from 61-62. Just had no interest in signing post-playing, many tried. He should not have even been in this set. Bill Sharman retired because he did not want to be drafted in the expansion draft and Sharman ended up being a player/coach on the LA Jets of the ABL (and I think he was even sued by the Celtics). So Braun ended up in this set (in theory Sanders, Loscutoff would have been better choices). Braun ends up in the 48 Bowman, 57 Topps and 61 Fleer and is hard to find in all 3.

Dukes was also very tough to find. Had some bad luck in life, got in trouble for practicing law without a license, etc.

[bobbyw8469]

Fantastic job!

[vthobby]

Originally Posted by bobbyw8469

Fantastic job!

Thanks Bobby!

[sports-cards-forever]

Impressive! That belongs in a museum!

[Hankphenom]

Originally Posted by calvindog

One of Bob’s close friend’s is a friend of mine and he got me the ball. At some point I’ll get all the balls in my collection authenticated before selling them, but there’s hundreds of them.

That's just crazy cool, and that's the best Bob auto I've ever seen. Bob's my man, the Shakespeare of our time with great music to boot. I've heard somewhere that he's a baseball fan ("Catfish"), but that's all I know.