B5712

Sport Balls

Basketball - Bill Russell

Subscriber Only Edition

Cover Announcement 

William Felton Russell played professional basketball as the center for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association from 1956 to 1969. He won the NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award five times and was a twelve-time All-Star. His star qualities as the "Big-Man" for the Celts led them to eleven NBA Championships during his thirteen seasons with the team.

Prior to his professional career, he led the University of San Francisco to two NCAA National championships in 1955 and 1956. Bill was the captain of the gold medal winning United States basketball team at the i956 Olympics.

This is the fourth of four subscriber only sport stars cachets that I have produced just for my subscribers. Now ready is one of basketball's all-time greats - Bill Russell. Collins #B5712 at $13.50.

Summer 2025 Mail Sale Commentary 

Lot 36 B5712 — Bill Russell with Basketball stamp from the Sports Balls set — 6/14/17

This outstanding cover is part of the Sports Balls series — but it has a special feature. It is a first day cover that has been almost impossible to find on the open market as it was created only for subscribers. Eight unique round Sports Balls stamps were issued for this series, and then several were chosen by me to be offered only to subscribers. This cover with the basketball stamp and the eye-catching portrait of Bill Russell is one of them.

William Felton Russell played professional basketball as the center for the powerhouse Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association from 1956 to 1969. He won the NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award five times and was a twelve-time All-Star. His star qualities as the "Big Man" for the Celts led them to eleven NBA Championships during his thirteen seasons with the team. Prior to his professional career, he led the University of San Francisco to two NCAA National Championships in 1955 and 1956. And Bill was the captain of the gold-medal winning United States basketball team at the 1956 Olympics. This Collins cover honors Bill Russell — one of basketball's all-time greats! This is the first time this cover has been offered in a mail sale.