This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/20/2016
Julius “Dr. J” Erving was the most dominant and influential player of his era, an innovator and ambassador of the game whose scintillating style of play above the rim changed how basketball was played and facilitated the ABA-NBA merger in 1976. The 6’7” forward was a wizard with the ball, performing moves never before seen or attempted: midair spins, cradling the ball, punctuated by powerful dunks. His excellent mid-range game made him virtually impossible to defend. An All-Star each of his 16 professional seasons, Erving won three championships, four MVP awards, and three scoring titles while playing for the Virginia Squires and New York Nets of the ABA (1971-76), and the Philadelphia 76ers of the NBA (1976-87). Offered here is a fantastic pair of early Dr. J game-worn sneakers from his third NBA season in 1978-79 with the Sixers. Erving averaged 23.1 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 4.6 assists as Philly went 47-35 in the regular season before falling to the Spurs in the Eastern Conference Semifinals in a hard-fought 7-game series. New to the market, these museum-worthy gems come with outstanding provenance from the family of Peter and George Vecsey, renowned New York sports columnists.
These high-top Converse All-Star 'Dr. J' signature model shoes come in white leather with rubber midsoles and outsoles. "DR J" is stamped in red on each outer foot area next to the red Converse logo. The Converse All-Star tag is sewn on the outer tongues. Size "15 1/2" is stamped on the interior. The original Converse insoles have been replaced by custom-fitted orthotic inserts. The white laces appear to be the originals. All structural elements are perfectly intact. Both shoes exhibit excellent game use with plenty of stretching, scuff marks and a few red paint transfers from other players. Erving has signed and inscribed each shoe on the outside ankle area in faded blue pen. The right is personalized "For Michael, Be for Real Always - Julius 'Dr. J' Erving." The left is personalized "To Mike & his Golden Pen, Sincerely - Julius 'Dr. J' Erving - 3/79". The 3/79 indicates they were signed in March of 1979 towards the end of the '78-79 season.
Michael is Peter Vecsey's son who did some writing in his younger years before becoming a college professor. Peter Vecsey has written for the NY Post and USA Today and worked as an NBA television analyst on NBC in his heyday. He broke hundreds of exclusive stories, including the 76ers' $3M deal to bring Dr. J from the New York Nets to the NBA in 1976. It was Peter Vecsey who coined the famous nicknames "Air Jordan" and "Larry Jordan" for MJ and Bird, respectively. Peter's older brother, George, is a famous author and longtime NY Times sports columnist. With all the stories, columns and books written by the Vecseys, it's easy to see how the family's sports memorabilia collection grew to obtain such treasures as these special Dr. J game-worn sneakers.
Includes Letter of Provenance from Peter Vecsey. Pre-certified by PSA/DNA (auto).