When a player is inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, there is an official Hall of Fame portrait produced and put on display in the gallery memorializing that player’s induction. These portraits that hung on display at the Hall of Fame when the athletes were inducted are the equivalent of the Hall of Fame plaques that hang in Cooperstown at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and capture the essence of the legendary player and are on display for the thousands of patrons that walk through the hallowed hall from year-to-year. However, with new renovations already underway, these official portraits are being made available to the public exclusively through Goldin Auctions. The pinnacle of any athlete’s career comes when he or she are selected into that sport’s Hall of Fame and for basketball, that ultimate journey ends in Springfield, Massachusetts at the aforementioned Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Named for the founder of basketball, Dr. James Naismith, the Hall of Fame is home to more than 400 inductees and over 40,000 square feet of basketball history.

Since 2002 when the dome-shaped exhibition hall opened, each new member inducted into the Hall of Fame received their customized orange blazer and their black and white 25 x 28-inch portrait would hang for display around the domed ceiling on the third floor. These displays made up four rows surrounding the complex, however, with the Class of 2018, the space had been used up and those portraits were displayed in a different spot. To adjust for the needed space, the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame embarked on a $30 million renovation where all enshrined players would be housed in a different area and show the players in a digital form with more information at the ready.

As part of Goldin Auctions’ partnership with the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame, we had the privilege in acquiring the original Hall of Fame portraits that were formerly on display at the hallowed hall since as early as 2002. Offered here is the official portrait of Bob Cousy. Cousy played point guard with the Boston Celtics from 1950 to 1963, and briefly with the Cincinnati Royals in the 1969–70 season. Making his high school varsity squad as a junior, he went on to earn a scholarship to the College of the Holy Cross, where he led the Crusaders to berths in the 1948 NCAA Tournament and 1950 NCAA Tournament, and won NCAA All-American honors for three seasons. Cousy had an exceptionally successful career with the Celtics, leading the league an unprecedented eight straight years in assists, playing on six NBA championship teams, and being voted into 13 NBA All-Star Games in his 13 full NBA seasons. He was also named to 12 All-NBA First and Second Teams and won the 1957 NBA Most Valuable Player Award.

Cousy’s enshrinement portrait consists of a black and white photograph on thin paper that allows for a visual effect when illuminated for display at the Hall of Fame. Measuring 25 x 28 inches, Cousy’s portrait is a bust shot of him in game action in his road green Celtics’ jersey. “BOB COUSY” is printed in red with white borders below his face and the background has small wavy lines. His photo comes with two clear Plexi-Glass covers for protection. This Hall of Fame photograph comes with a letter of authenticity from the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

Please note that this lot has a 25% Buyer’s Premium (28% if payment is made using a credit card and/or is not paid within 10 days of invoice). Goldin Auctions will be donating 5% of the winning bid price to The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

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