SCP Auctions April 2011 Internet Auction

When it comes to hanging banners, the Boston Celtics are the cream of the crop in professional basketball. No organization has won more titles than the 17-time World Champion Boston Celtics. Whether it's their 1st title in 1957, their 12th in 1974 or the 17th in 2008, the Celtics tradition of winning championships and hanging banners has stood the test of time. While not representative of a Celtics championship, the offered banner is among the earliest and finest pieces of Celtics memorabilia we have encountered. The banner dates from the era of the teams origin. The 1946 season was the inaugural campaign for the Boston Celtics in the Basketball Association of America (BAA/NBA). Walter A. Brown was the man who was responsible for starting the franchise. Brown, who operated the Boston Garden arena and was part of the National Hockey League's Boston Bruins, was the driving force behind the Basketball Association of America and the Celtics birth. After considering several team names, Brown opted for Celtics in hopes of grabbing the attention of Boston's large Irish American population. John Davis "Honey" Russell was hired as the first Celtics coach, and the team soon began its inaugural season. In spite of a lackluster start, the Celtics would eventually become the signature franchise of the NBA. Dating from the 1946-49 period, this banner is believed to have hung in the Boston Garden and descended into the possession of our consignor through an associate of Red Auerbach. The vintage banner measures 46" by 62" and hangs from its original wooden rod with tasseled hanging rope. The white fabric banner is adorned with the team name "Boston Celtics" in green fabric lettering and a large green fabric shamrock trimmed in yellow. Yellow fringe hangs from the bottom. The banner is in excellent structural condition with some staining and minor soiling that would likely be reduced by a professional cleaning. This is an incredible artifact dating from the birth of the Boston Celtics.