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

[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.

[vthobby]

Originally Posted by 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.

Thanks for the insights. It's always nice to hear the history of certain players and why they became a tough autograph on certain items. I'm especially fond on my Dukes autos as he had an incredible fascinating life. Tragically at the end of his life, his heat had been shut off due to unpaid bills and he had died a month before anyone found him in his apartment.

Read up on Walter Dukes as he did indded live a fascinating life!

Thanks!

PS To those who have asked "What's next".....I think right now I'll just try to slowly upgrade the set. Not many of these signed cards are out there so it will be a task but I have zero pressure since the set is already complete! Take care!

[vthobby]

Originally Posted by 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.

Thanks for the insights. It's always nice to hear the history of certain players and why they became a tough autograph on certain items. I'm especially fond on my Dukes autos as he had an incredible fascinating life. Tragically at the end of his life, his heat had been shut off due to unpaid bills and he had died a month before anyone found him in his apartment.

PS To those who have asked "What's next".....I think right now I'll just try to slowly upgrade the set. Not many of these signed cards are out there so it will be a task but I have zero pressure since the set is already complete! Thanks!

[vthobby]

This certainly caught my eye recently!

The Baylor in my set is a 6.5 and is the 2nd highest graded signed Baylor Rookie.

The funny thing is, Goldin mentioned my copy in his description as an "inferior 6.5" lol

IMG_9393.jpg

[bobbyw8469]

Fantastic job!

[vthobby]

Originally Posted by bobbyw8469

Fantastic job!

Thanks Bobby!

[sports-cards-forever]

Impressive! That belongs in a museum!