I remember the first time I saw this set was a Bob Cousy rookie at a card show in the 1980's. I was immediately drawn to it until I saw the price tag. I never thought I'd be able to own any of them, but I always liked them (even moreso than the 1961 Fleer set - which I have a few signed). These have been really hard to find, especially before eBay and the internet.

The 80 card issue was a bit oversized (like the 1957 Basbeall set). Even though the design is a pretty blah, it represents an important part of NBA history.

Earl Lloyd is the NBA's first black player. This was the time Bill Russell and the Celtics started their run of 11 titles in 13 years. Bob Pettit led a very strong Hawks team with Cliff Hagan, Ed Macauley, Slater Martin, and Clyde Lovellette. He caught fire and scored 50 in the clinching game of the 1957 NBA Finals to beat Boston.

More telling about the era is the number of great players. 25% of the set (20 players) are in the Hall fo Fame: 

#2 George Yardley (deceased)
#5 Bill Sharman
#10 Paul Arizin (deceased)
#12 Slater Martin
#13 Dolph Schayes
#15 Frank Ramsey
#16 Dick McGuire
#17 Bob Cousy
#19 Tom Heinsohn
#24 Bob Pettit
#27 Ed Macauley
#28 Vern Mikkelsen
#37 Cliff Hagan
#40 Arnie Risen
#44 Tom Gola
#54 Earl Lloyd
#62 Harry Gallatin
#71 Jack Twyman
#75 Andy Phillip (deceased)
#77 Bill Russell
#78 Clyde Lovellette

So I started looking for deals on these cards http://www.AuctionCapture.com and at card shows, and have picked some off condition (beat up) copies to send to players to get signed. I was able to get a few signed so far:

I've also sent to Cliff Hagan and Vern Mikkelsen with no response yet, and just won the Arnie Risen card. I am on the hunt for McGuire, Martin, Ramsay, Schayes, Gallatin, ad Heinsohn - just keep getting on outbid on them every time.

It's really amazing how many guys are good signers by mail 50 years later.

I have no interest in trying to complete this set, as there are too many toughies and too many that would be too expensive (especially Bill Russell). So far it has been fun trying to get a few of them.

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