Preliminary identification
Photo reference
2 uploaded photos
Overview
An official Spalding NBA leather game ball featuring a bold, hand-signed autograph in silver paint pen by basketball legend Julius 'Dr. J' Erving. The signature is accompanied by the hand-written inscription '2002', indicating the year of the signing. This piece represents a tangible connection to one of the most influential and stylish players in the history of professional basketball.
Story
Julius Erving revolutionized basketball in the 1970s and 80s, bringing an airborne artistry to the court that paved the way for Michael Jordan. This ball, signed in 2002, captures the enduring legacy of 'Dr. J' decades after his retirement. It stands as a tribute to the man who made the slam dunk an art form.
Maker / Origin
Spalding has been the quintessential name in American sporting goods since its founding by pitcher Albert Spalding in 1876. As the official ball provider of the NBA from 1983 to 2021, their leather game balls became the gold standard for professional play, engineered to meet the exacting standards of the world's greatest athletes.
Condition & Value
The basketball appears to be in excellent, unused condition with no visible scuffs, deflation, or leather wear. The silver paint pen signature is crisp, bright, and fully intact with no smudging or fading. It is currently housed in a protective acrylic display case, which has preserved its condition.
Full Research
Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.
Build on this identification
Layer in sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance.
Comparable demand stays strongest where maker, originality, and venue confidence line up. Broader examples still trade, but the range tightens quickly when provenance, condition, or selling lane fit is missing.
Best Venue
Specialty auction or a focused dealer with buyers already in this lane.
Signed example with light edge wear and original frame.
Comparable format with stronger provenance and cleaner surface.
Smaller related piece with visible craquelure and trimmed margins.
Period match with softer condition and weaker subject matter.
Close market lane comp with similar material and presentation.