This beautiful 1969 Boston Celtics 10K Gold NBA Championship ring was presented to Celtics President Jack Waldron, who served two terms: 1965-67 and 1968-70, during which time the Celtics won four NBA titles. The 1968-69 season saw the Celtics finish in 4th place in the East, barely making the playoffs, yet they managed to make it to the finals against the heavily favored Los Angeles Lakers. With Hall of Fame center Wilt Chamberlain left on the bench by Lakers coach Butch van Breda Kolff during the final minutes, the Celtics beat the Lakers 108-106 to win Game 7 in one of the most dramatic upsets in NBA History and take their 2nd straight NBA Championship under player/coach Bill Russell.
Jack Waldron was a CPA and top executive for Rupert Knickerbocker Brewing Company when he negotiated their purchase of the Celtics in 1965 and was named team president. He stepped away briefly at the end of the 1967 season for a corporate position at Ballantine where, in a case of déjà vu, he again negotiated the beer company’s purchase of the Celtics and became team president in 1968. Waldron will forever go down in Celtics lore for his instrumental role in transitioning the team through two ownership phases while keeping them a championship organization. It was a tumultuous time internally when Red Auerbach moved from coach to GM in 1966 and named Bill Russell as player-coach successor.
The face of the ring has one real diamond set in a gold basketball atop a Celtic green gemstone surrounded by "BOSTON CELTICS 1969 WORLD CHAMPIONS". "WALDRON", "TEAM WORK" and a raised NBA atop a basketball appear on one side panel. "JACK" and a raised image of the iconic Boston Celtics leprechaun appear on the other. Inside the band is stamped "JOSTENS 10K". The ring is a size 9 weighing 30 grams. It remains in excellent condition considering its age.
Comes with a letter of authenticity from the Jack Waldron's daughter, Jane.