MAY 15, 1970 NEW YORK 'KEY TO THE CITY' PRESENTED TO RED HOLZMAN FROM NYC MAYOR JOHN V. LINDSAY (HOLZMAN COLLECTION)

For a kid from Brooklyn it must have been a tremendous thrill when a telegram arrived at Red Holzman’s home on May 13, 1970 inviting him to a reception in his honor at Gracie Mansion, residence of the Mayor of New York. The occasion was that Red and his New York Knicks had just won their first World Championship. Besides the reception with Mayor Lindsay, Red was presented with a “Key to the City” in his honor. The gold key is, literally, a gold key, actually a facsimile of the one made in 1812 for the door of New York’s City Hall (according to included placard with its case). The key has the seal of New York City and is engraved with “MAYOR JOHN V. LINDSAY” in the shaft. The key is housed in its special velvet-lined presentation box. The triumphant hometown boy was also presented with a “Certificate of Appreciation” signed by Mayor Lindsay and housed in a gatefold portfolio with the date of the ceremony stamped in gold on the cover. The third and final piece in this lot is the actual telegram from Mayor Lindsay’s office inviting Red and his family to the ceremony. A very special grouping that demonstrates what a huge achievement it was bringing Championship basketball to New York City in 1970. The group comes from the late Red Holzman’s personal collection with an LOA from his family.