Fall Premier Auction 2019

By 1950 New York-native Red Holzman was basketball royalty – first as a high school standout at Brooklyn’s Franklin Lane High in the ‘30s, then a CCNY All-American in the ‘40s, and finally as the ABL’s Rookie of the Year in ’46 for the Rochester Royals. It was only natural that Red would be honored by the “Basketball Fraternity of New York.” This organization promoted basketball throughout the Metropolitan Area in the years when it was still a niche sport. On February 5, 1950 the Fraternity held a ceremony before that evening’s Knicks-Royals game at which Red was presented with a television, a set of luggage and this engraved gold watch made of 14-karat gold. The Longines brand wristwatch has a ‘Mid-Century Modern’ design with a matching gold band. The reverse side of the watch case has been engraved with “WM 'RED' HOLZMAN FROM BASKETBALL FRATERNITY OF NEW YORK FEB. 1950." The back of the watch case and underside of band clasp are both stamped "14K." The watch case and band exhibit some surface scuffs and abrasions from extensive wear. The watch comes with its original gold presentation case with a Longines logo and red velvet interior. A nice piece illustrating the high-esteem with which Red Holzman was held as a player prior to his Hall of Fame career as the Knicks’ championship-winning coach. The watch comes from the late Red Holzman’s personal collection with an LOA from his family.