If pro basketball had a "Joe DiMaggio" it would be John Havlicek. Havlicek played with an unmatched skill, elegance and class while winning 8 championships with Boston Celtics on his way to the Basketball Hall of Fame. He passed away in 2019.
Fresh to the hobby, presented here is Havlicek's Topps rookie card, signed by "Hondo" himself at the time in vintage blue ballpoint. There are not many autographs of sports icons as unique and meticulous as Havlicek's. It became part of his brand. PSA/DNA has deemed Mr. Havlicek's penmanship on this card a 9. Gorgeous.
Please note that this card has been ever so slightly trimmed, but that has absolutely no impact on the sharp signature and overall eye pleasing nature of this bright cardboard treasure.
Provenance:
Our consignor Matt Bombeck collected sports autographs in the late 1960’s through the early 1970’s while living in the Dayton, Ohio area. Along with getting autographs at University of Dayton basketball games, Cincinnati Royals NBA games and Cincinnati Reds games, Matt was active mailing to players during these years, including their sports cards and index cards to be signed and returned in stamped self-addressed envelopes. While Matt quit collecting in the early 1970’s, he always kept his collection nearby, neatly preserved in sheets and binders, although sometimes packed away for long periods of time. Like many during the “shelter in place” periods of 2020, Matt rediscovered his collection, and ultimately decided it was time to give his autographed treasures a second life, so they are proudly presented here by SCP Auctions.