This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/20/2016
This is yet another amazing collectible touching upon the long-defunct American Basketball Association, the short-lived league that sprang up in the 1960's, lasted until the 1970's and left its indelible mark on the NBA behemoth that ultimately put it out of business by absorbing so many of its great teams and flamboyant superstars. Long a treasured collectible by serious fans of the ABA, these game-worn shorts are linked to the famed 1970-72 Pittsburgh Condors, one of the legendary franchises in league history and its first champion in 1968. These amazing shorts are further enhanced by the provenance from team trainer Ray Melchiorre linking them to the final seasons of the Condors, who folded after the 1972 season even before the ABA-NBA merger several years later.
The Size 36 shorts have Rawlings tagging at the back of the waist with adjacent wash instructions tag. The draw strings are present and intact. The intricate Condors spread-wing logo with the famed red, white and blue basketball appear on the side of each leg in white and red tackle twill, with elaborate gold and white embroidery and the chenille red, white and blue embroidery on the basketball. The gold shorts have red and white elastic waist band; shorts are in simply spectacular condition, largely as-issued and problem-free. They were sourced from longtime NBA trainer Ray Melchiorre, who worked for the Condors before joining the Boston Celtics and later the Houston Rockets. His old ABA business card is included as evidence.