Auction Item Details
Lot 159
LOADING IMAGES
Lot Number: 159
Description: Significant 1962-63 Bill Russell NBA Most Valuable Player Award (Russell Collection Photo-Match)(Fourth of Russell's Five Career MVP Awards)(NBA Championship Season). Original trophy as presented to Russell for his fourth MVP Award selection after the 1962-63 season. Large silverplated figural trophy with basketball player ornament atop a two handled loving cup mounted on black painted wooden pedestal base. Two inscribed silverplated placards reading, "The President's Trophy Awarded to Bill Russell As The Most Valuable Player During The Season 1962-63 Chosen By The Players Of The National Basketball Association In A Poll Conducted by N.E.A. Service" and "Presented at East-West All-Star Game Boston January 14, 1964". Trophy remains in very fine condition with some light surface wear to a few areas and minor flaking to the plating on the two small figural players affixed to the wooden base. Original Spike's Trophies labeling under the base with relation to the long tenured Philadelphia trophy shop (Est. 1929) with ties to the EBL and JBL basketball leagues. While the Celtics would lose their star guard, Bob Cousy to retirement, after the season Bill Russell continued his dominance averaging 16.8 pts and 23.6 rebounds per game. Bill also won the MVP honors for the 1963 NBA All-Star Game. Once again, the Celtics would face the rival Los Angeles Lakers in the 1963 NBA Finals and would prevail at winning yet another NBA Championship. The trophy was presented to Bill Russell at the NBA All-Star Game held in Boston the following season as was customary during the period. Included with the lot is a period newspaper image from Bill Russell's personal scrapbook showing him receiving the offered MVP trophy. Along with the other Bill Russell NBA MVP trophies within this auction, the offered example is among the most significant of any player related basketball awards to have been offered at public auction. Includes signed letter of provenance from Bill Russell: EX-MTEstimated Price Range: ($100,000-$300,000)
Sold for Price: Login or Register