Lot # 2657: 1974-1975 Topps Basketball Near-Complete Set (261/264) Including 262 Signed Cards Plus 13 Duplicates

Near-complete set consisting of 261 different cards (out of 264 in a set) plus thirteen duplicates from the 1974-1975 Topps basketball series, highlighted by an impressive 262 different signed examples. Among these are several Hall of Famers and stars, including Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Oscar Robertson, Julius Erving, and Lenny Wilkins. The signatures are scripted in a variety of inks. Two cards are signed on the reverse (#17 and 218) and three are personalized (#4, 54, 63). Missing only three cards for completion (#18 Brisker, 49, and 93). This set includes thirteen duplicates (all signed by different players or different combinations of players). Condition is 24% Ex-Mt to Nr/Mt, 57% Vg-Ex to Ex, and 13% Gd to Vg, and 6% lesser (including one altered and a few with a slight miscut). Keys: #1 Abdul-Jabbar (Vg+), 31 Riley (Vg), 39 Walton RC (Vg-Ex), 50 Barry (Ex), 55 Robertson (Nr/Mt), 91 Bucks Team Ldrs (signed by Robertson, Nr/Mt-Mt), 100 Havlicek (Vg+), 113 Bradley (Vg-Ex+), 146 NBA FG Pct. Ldrs (signed by Abdul-Jabbar, Nr/Mt), 150 Frazier (Vg-Ex+), 155 Cowens (Vg-Ex), 176 West (Nr/Mt), 180 Gilmore Vg-Ex+), 196 Gervin RC (Vg), 200 Erving (Ex+), 207 Scoring Avg. Ldrs (signed by Erving/McGinnis/Issel, Ex), 240 R. Brown (Ex+, deceased in 1977 at the young age of 55), and 248 ABA Finals (signed by Erving/Jones, Ex). The signature or signatures on the cards featuring more than one player are as follows: #81 (signed by Bellamy, HOF), 82 (signed by Cowens, HOF), 83 (signed by McAdoo, HOF), 84 (signed by Ray and Lier), two 85 (one signed by D. Davis, one by Wilkens, HOF), 86 (signed by Lantz), two 87 (one signed by Thurmond, one by Barry, both HOF), 88 (signed by Murphy front and back, HOF), 89 (signed by Lacey), 90 (signed by Goodrich, HOF), 92 (signed by O. Johnson), 94 (signed by T. Van Arsdale), 95 (signed by D. Van Arsdale), 96 (signed by Petrie), three 97 (each single-signed by Snyder, Brown, and Haywood, HOF), two 98 (one signed by Chenier and Porter, Ex-Mt, one by Chenier/Hayes HOF/Porter, Fr), 145 (signed by McAdoo, HOF), 147 (signed by DiGregorio/Mullins/Barry HOF), 148 (signed by Cowens, HOF), 149 (signed by Wilkens, HOF), 161 (signed by McMillian/Bradley), two 162 (one signed by Don Adams, one by Dick Motta), two 163 (one signed by Westphal, one by Dandridge, both HOF), 164 (signed by Westphal, HOF), two 208 (one signed by Nater, one by J. Jones), 209 (signed by Keller), 210 (signed by J. Jones/Calvin/Boone), 211 (signed by Jones), two 212 (one signed by Williams, one by Williams/Dampier HOF), 221 (signed by Owens), 222 (signed by Robisch), 223 (signed by Lewis), 224 (signed by Dampier, HOF), 225 (signed by Denton), 226 (signed by Roche), 227 (signed by Nater/Silas/Gervin HOF), two 228 (one signed by Williams, one by C. Jones), two 229 (one signed by J. Jones, one by Wise), 230 (signed by Irvine), and three 247 (each single-signed by G. Adams/Buse/Boone). Includes the following twelve unsigned cards: #10 Maravich (Vg-Ex+), 13, 141 Checklist, 144, 173, 178, 194, 203 Checklist, 244 Ladner, 246, 249, and 259. Very attractive mid- to high-grade near-complete set (plus duplicates) of this popular 1970s issue that is highlighted by 262 signed cards. This collection offers a tremendous foundation for the assembly of a completely signed set or offers a significant contribution to such a set already in progress. Total: 274 cards (262 signed). Auction LOA from James Spence/JSA.