This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 5/11/2001.
Three important figures in Israeli politics signed these first-day envelope issues of stamps honoring the game of basketball, which is the most popular sport played in Israel. Two are first-issue covers bearing a postage stamp commemorating James Naismith, the founder of basketball, which are postmarked November 6, 1961. They were signed by Shimon Peres, who served as Prime Minister from 1984-86 and again from 1995-96, and Ezer Weizman, who has held the office of Israeli President since 1993. Each signed in blue pen, with Peres' rating a good 8 and Weizman's a 6. The third envelope is postmarked February 20, 1997 and has two stamps saluting the Tel-Aviv Maccabi national team that defeated the Red Army team of Russia in the European Cup championship that year. This envelope bears the signature of Benjamin Netanyahu, who was Prime Minister from 1996-99 and who signed in blue pen with the signature rating a 9. All stamps and envelopes are in excellent condition.