Auction Item Details
Lot 187
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Lot Number: 187
Description: Rare 1964 Bill Russell U.S. State Department Team U.S.A. attributed professional model warm up suit. Warmup jacket and pants believed to have been issued to Bill Russell for use during a tour organized by the U.S. State Department which featured a number of the most notable players of the time as selected by Red Auerbach. The star studded roster included Tom Heinsohn, KC Jones, Bob Cousy, Jerry Lucas, Oscar Robertson, Bob Pettite, Tom Gola, and the inimitable Bill Russell. All are now members of the Basketball Hall of Fame and the group can certainly be considered the original "Dream Team." The team was born at the instruction of President Lyndon Johnson after an embarrassing loss suffered by another incarnation of Team USA. The State Department’s Interagency on International Athletics organized a tour of Yugoslavia, Poland, Romania, and Egypt following the 1964 NBA season. Constructed of white fleece like material with red and blue trim, the jacket has "U.S.A." lettered across the back and number "6" on the sleeve. Wilson tag in the collar has adjacent tag on which "W. Russell #6" is typed along with size "44" and custom hem notations. Matching pants likewise have the number "6" applied and are similarly tagged (size 34). Includes LOA from Hunt Auctions and signed letter of provenance from Bill Russell: EXEstimated Price Range: ($50,000-$100,000)
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