Lot # 2619: 1971-1972 Topps Basketball Near-Complete Set (232/233) Including 140 Signed Cards

Near-complete set consisting of 232 different cards (out of 233 in the set) from the 1971-1972 Topps basketball series, highlighted by an impressive 140 signed examples. Among these are dozens of Hall of Famers and stars, including Jerry West and rookie examples of Hall of Famers Spencer Haywood, Nate Archibald, Dave Cowens, Rudy Tomjanovich, Larry Brown, Ricky Barry, Mel Daniels, Dan Issel, and Louie Dampier. Missing only #225 Roger Brown for completion. The 1971-1972 Topps set is very popular among collectors for its bright colors and funky text, both telltale signs of an early 1970s issue. This was also the first year that Topps included cards of ABA (American Basketball Association) players. Includes the following three duplicates: #67 Garrett (one signed), 106 Clark (both signed), and 196 Cannon (both signed). The condition of the 140 signed cards is 20% Ex to Ex-Mt, 67% Vg to Vg-Ex, and 13% lesser. The condition of the 95 unsigned cards is 10% Nr/Mt to Nr/Mt-Mt, 47% Ex to Ex-Mt, 27% Vg to Vg-Ex, and 16% lesser. Keys: #1 Robertson (Pr), 2 Bradley (Vg+), 10 Baylor (Ex, signed), 20 Haywood RC (Pr, signed), 29 Archibald RC (Gd+, signed), 35 Havlicek (100/0 T/B, otherwise Vg-Ex+), 47 Cowens RC (Vg, signed), 50 West (Pr, JSA basic certification, signed), 55 Maravich (Gd), 63 Lanier RC (Vg), 65 Frazier (Pr-Fr), 70 Chamberlain (Fr), 91 Tomjanovich RC (tiny ink marks on reverse, otherwise Ex+, signed), 100 Alcindor (trimmed, otherwise Pr due to sticker on front), 120 Hayes (Ex, signed), 138 NBA Scoring Ldrs (Vg-Ex+), 142 NBA Rebounds Ldrs (Pr), 152 L. Brown RC (Ex, signed), 170 Barry RC (Vg-Ex+, signed), 190 Scott RC (Gd+, signed with "HOF 2018 ROY 71" inscription), 195 Daniels RC (Vg-Ex, signed), 200 Issel RC (Ex-Mt, signed), and 224 Dampier RC (Vg-Ex+, signed). Signed cards (140): #3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 Baylor, 12, 14, 15, 16, 20 Haywood RC, 22, 24, 26 (multiple inscriptions), 27, 28, 29 Archibald RC, 34, 36, 39, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 47 Cowens RC, 48, 49, 50 West, 51, 52, 53, 54, 56, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 64, 67, 73, 74, 75, 76, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82 (signed on reverse), 84, 85, 87, 91 Tomjanovich RC, 92, 94, 95, 96, 99, 102, 104, 105, two 106, 107, 110, 111, 113, 114, 115, 116, 119, 120 Hayes, 121, 122, 123, 124, 126, 127, 129, 131, 134 (signed by McGlockin), 147 (signed by Issel), 148 (signed by Beaty), 149 (signed by Barry), 151 (signed by Melchionni), 152 L. Brown RC, 153, 154, 155, 156 Paultz RC (encapsulated by Beckett Authentic), 160, 162, 163, 164, 166, 168, 170 Barry RC, 171, 172, 176 (signed on reverse and personalized), 178, 179, 181, 182, 184, 187, 189, 193, 195 Daniels RC, two 196, 197, 198, 199, 200 Issel RC, 202, 203, 204, 207, 208, 210, 211, 212, 213, 215, 216, 219, 220, 221, 223, 224 Dampier RC, 226, 227, 229, 230, 231, 232, and 233. A very impressive near-complete set (minus one) of this popular 1970s Topps basketball issue, highlighted by 140 signed examples. This collection offers a tremendous foundation for the assembly of a completely signed set or is a significant contribution to such a set already in progress. Total: 235 cards (near set of 232 plus three duplicates). Auction LOA from James Spence/JSA.