This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/1/2011
The Boston Celtics leprechaun logo was first designed by Red Auerbach's brother, Zang, in the early 1950's. Zang was a creative and artistic man whose initial concept evolved into the familiar basketball spinning leprechaun encircled by the words Boston Celtics that we know today. The leprechaun logo first appeared on patches and ephemera during the dynasty years of the 60s, but it wasn’t until the 1970s that the taunting leprechaun logo appeared at center court in the Boston Garden.
This early and highly significant 4 1/2 foot tall leprechaun statue is believed to be one the first representations of the Celtics leprechaun. Crafted in painted papier mache, it was regularly referred to by Red Auerbach as “The original Celtics leprechaun” and held a place of honor on a pedestal in Red’s Boston office for many years. This “prototype” version of the world-famous figure has his left eye winking at you and his left hand resting on his shillelagh. His right index finger is pointing straight upward with a brown basketball sitting atop. His left foot is crossed over to the side of the right foot. It is unknown whether Zang himself constructed this character that would become an icon, but it is clear that Red revered it as a sacred piece of Boston Celtics history. A photo of the statue as it stood in Red’s office is included. Includes a letter of provenance from the Auerbach estate.