Consign Your Best Items with Lelands. We Also Pay Cash on the Spot! Learn More Here.
James Naismith Civil War Era Tintype - Earliest Known Photograph of the Inventor of Basketball (Naismith Family LOA)
Incredible Civil War era tintype photograph (the earliest known) of the founder of basketball, James Naismith. The photo comes in its original "gutta percha" case and was obtained from the Naismith estate. Naismith was born in 1861 and appears to be about 2-3 years old in the photo, placing it sometime around the close of the Civil War. Though he was raised in Canada, Naismith moved to the U.S. and created one of America's most beloved sports at the age of 30, when he was working at the International YMCA Training School in Springfield, Massachusetts. From there, Naismith brought the sport to the University of Kansas, where he served as basketball coach and athletic director. Oddly, despite his position at the center of the basketball universe, Naismith is the only coach in Kansas history to have a losing record, though he did coach Phog Allen, whose impact on the sport has also been massive. While Naismith was still alive, he was able to see basketball named an official Olympic event, as well as the creation of the NIT and NCAA Tournaments.
Past Sports Card, Memorabilia, Non-Sports Card and Collecitble Auction Items
Other past auction items that may be of interest to you.
1978 NBA World Championship Ring
Bill Bradley Presidential Diploma Signed by Richard Nixon
1994 Shaquille O’Neal World Game Worn Jersey
1998 Chicago Bulls Three-Peat Team Signed Basketball
Circa 1997 Toronto Raptors Autographed Basketball with Carter & McGrady
1970’s Fred “Curly” Neal Harlem Globetrotters Game Worn Jersey
1996-97 Michael Jordan Chicago Bulls Game Worn Uniform with Bulls Letter
