Lot # 1313: Extremely Rare 1951 NBA First Annual All-Star Game Program - Loaded with Hall of Famers Including George Mikan

Basketball enthusiasts net a grand prize, by scoring this 1951 NBA 1st Annual All-Star Game program. The NBA was formed from a 1949 merger between rival pro leagues, the BAA and the NBL. The college game was under fire in 1951, for the 1949-1950 season point shaving scandal. To deflect the uproar, while also promoting their fledgling pro league, NBA executives came up with the idea of an annual All-Star Game during the league's second season of play. Issued on March 2, 1951 at the Boston Garden, the offered program is an extremely rare gameday souvenir from the very first NBA All-Star Game.

Twenty of the game's brightest stars were chosen to participate, with ten each to represent the Eastern and Western Divisions. A dozen future Hall of Famers took part in the game, including George Mikan, Dolph Schayes, Harry Gallatin, Vern Mikkelsen, Ed Macauley, Andy Phillip, Bob Davies, Joe Fulks, Dick McGuire, Jim Pollard, and rookies Paul Arizin, and Bob Cousy, who are all picture throughout, along with alternate selection Arnie Risen. The scoring grids are unused, and though an elderly proprietary sticker is affixed at bottom-right on the front cover, this elusive program remains attractive, showing VG+ details.