Auction Item Details
Lot 97
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Lot Number: 97
Description: Highly Important Bill Russell Scrapbook Page: The 1961 Lexington, Kentucky Boycott Game. Oversized original scrapbook page from Bill Russell's personal scrapbook which chronicled the October 17, 1961 game played between the Boston Celtics and Atlanta Hawks. To promote the upcoming NBA season, the Celtics travelled to Lexington, KY to play the Atlanta Hawks in a pre-season exhibition game. The contest had been specifically staged in Kentucky to showcase two of the home state's all-time greats in Frank Ramsey and Cliff Hagan. Upon checking into the Phoenix Hotel two of the Celtics African American players, Sam Jones, and Tom Sanders, went to the hotel coffee shop to get some food. Upon their entry they were informed by the shop attendant that they do not serve Negroes at the hotel, and they should leave. Jones and Sanders relayed their incident to fellow African American teammates Bill Russell, K.C. Jones, and Al Butler, who was equally incensed. They players went to coach Red Auerbach and informed him that they would not play under these circumstances and intended to return to Boston. Although Auerbach supported their stance, he did feel the players should stay however he ultimately conceded and took them to the airport. The incident was lauded throughout the sports world as an unfortunate, but important, stance for the social justice movement. The page measures 20"x24" with several period newspaper articles and headlines chronicling the incident. Also included is an affixed one-page typewritten signed letter from Reverend Mack Williams as sent to Bill Russell. The letter content poignantly relays the significance of the boycott which reads, in part, "For years to come millions of Negroes will honor you, salute you and commend you for your courageous and unrelenting stand for social justice, decency in conduct and equitable treatment for all men." The letter is signed at the bottom in blue ink along with handwritten notation, "Tell your son so the spirit will grow up in him.". Several of the newspaper articles have some tears and there is tape repair to a few album page tears on the back. Matted and framed. Includes signed letter of provenance from Bill Russell: Letter: EX, Page: GDEstimated Price Range: ($2,500-$5,000)
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