1967 Official George Mikan ABA Basketball - Finest Example Known!

Sold For:

$10,200

Year:

1967

Auction:

2018 Fall

Lot #:

2426

Category:

Basketball Cards or Memorabilia

Official George Mikan ABA basketball dating from the league's first season, in 1967. This is the finest Mikan ABA ball we have ever seen, let alone handled, and it has a remarkable provenance. This ball first appeared at public auction in REA's Fall 2014 sale (Lot 18; realized $6,600). At that time, it had been consigned from a gentleman who purchased it directly from Erv Inniger, a former guard with the Minnesota Muskies (1967-1968) and Miami Floridians (1968-1969). According to the original consignor, Inniger stated that this ball was used for a ceremonial tip-off during a Muskies game in 1967 and he retained it after the game as a souvenir for his personal collection. The ball remained in Inniger's sole possession until he sold it to our original consignor. Accompanying the ball is a one-page handwritten letter from Inniger to our former consignor in which he thanks him for purchasing the ball. In part: "Thank you for buying this prize basketball. This brings back some great memories for me. Enjoy it, it's special." At the time, Inniger also included a copy of his 1967-1968 Muskies contract, which still accompanies. the ball. Incredibly, the purchaser of the ball in our Fall 2014 auction, who is now the consignor, obtained Inniger's original 1967-1968 signed Muskies contract, which also accompanies the ball. The ball displays only modest surface wear commensurate with its brief period of use and is otherwise in spectacular Near Mint condition. Mikan was the first commissioner of the ABA and was responsible for the introduction of the three-point line and, most important, the league's signature red-white-and-blue ball. Mikan's reign as ABA commissioner only lasted two seasons, which has resulted in the extreme rarity of Mikan ABA balls today. We cannot recall having seen more than just a few Mikan ABA balls over the years, none of which even remotely compare to the near-pristine condition of this example. This is the holy grail for all ABA memorabilia collectors. It is a museum-caliber piece and one that would be a cornerstone in any advanced basketball collection. Total: 4 items. (Ball, letter from Erv Inninger, original 1967-1968 Erv Inniger signed Minnesota Muskies contract, copy of the contract). Reserve $2,500. Estimate (open).