This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 12/10/2001.
This set of 5 beautiful illustrations depicting the history and majesty of 50 years of NCAA Final Four tournament play is one of only 100 such sets of artists proofs from a limited edition run of 900 lithographs created by artist John B. Martin in 1988. Martin cleverly used a cultural scene such as a jazz band, juke box and computers at the center top above compelling action scenes and portraits of the dominant figures of each decade, including Phog Allen, Adolph Rupp, Henry Iba and Bob Kurland (1939-49), The Big O, Wilt, West, Baylor and Russell (1950-1959), Alcindor, Bradley and Lucas (1960-69), Walton, Magic and Bird (1970-1979), and John Thompson, Dean Smith, Al McGuire and Bobby Knight (1980-1988). UCLA coaching giant John Wooden, who appears in 2 decades (1960s and 1970s), signed both proofs in black marker with near-perfect signatures. Each of the mixed-numbered proofs also has various colorful school logos and a raised letter engraving at the top left corner reading "Fifty Years of the Final Four" with the anniversary logo from the 1988 tourney. The proofs measure 22 x 27 inches.