This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/1/2011
Even the great Red Auerbach could not prevent the Celtics from going into a slump at the end of the 1970s. But in 1979, Boston's fortunes changed when Auerbach set his eyes on talented college player Larry Bird. Despite knowing that Bird had a year of college eligibility remaining, he drafted Bird in the 1978 NBA Draft and waited for a year until the future Hall-of-Fame forward Bird finally arrived. Auerbach immediately sensed that the brilliant, hardworking Bird would be the cornerstone of a new Celtics generation. Bird would ultimately not only help restore the Celtics to glory, but he along with Magic Johnson resurrected the entire NBA that had previously lost its luster. These two framed photographs were displayed prominently on the wall of Red's Boston office, as can be seen in catalogue photos (pgs. 60-61). One is an 18" by 12" wide angle shot of Bird in mid-jump shot taken from the baseline at the Boston Garden. The second is a poignant 11" by 14" shot of Bird and Auerbach together solemnly walking the court at Boston Garden on the day Bird retired. Both images show no condition faults except for some slight discoloration on the shooting image. Includes a letter of provenance from the Auerbach estate.