Bob Cousy Autograph Signing: A Once-in-a-Lifetime Experience

The Bob Cousy autograph signing was one of the most surreal and meaningful experiences I’ve had in this industry. I’m Matt Powers from Power Sports Memorabilia, and this wasn’t just another signing—we were invited into Bob Cousy’s home to get items signed by one of the greatest basketball players of all time.

That’s not something many people can say, and it’s an experience I’ll never forget.

Traveling East for a True Basketball Legend

Getting from Kansas City to the East Coast is never simple or cheap, especially when direct flights are limited. This trip included multiple delays, rerouted connections, and a last-minute switch through Chicago. Every flight on the itinerary was delayed—but oddly enough, those delays ended up working in our favor.

Once on the East Coast, I took a train out to where Bob lives. It had been years since I’d traveled by train, and it was a refreshing change of pace—quiet, scenic, and actually productive compared to flying.

Planes, trains, and automobiles… literally.

A Signing at Bob Cousy’s Home

We arrived at Bob’s home on a rainy East Coast morning and set up in his dining area. Shoes off, respect first. This wasn’t a large commercial space—it was personal, quiet, and incredibly special.

There were roughly 300–400 items to be signed, including:

• Vintage programs from the 1950s

• Sports Illustrated covers

• 1957 Topps rookie cards

• 1961 Fleer cards

• Celtics items with green paint pen

Many of these items had been in families for generations.

Bob Cousy at 96 Years Old: Sharp, Engaged, and Professional

At 96 years old, Bob Cousy was fully present, in great spirits, and incredibly thoughtful with each autograph. He signed from a wheelchair but handled items better than many athletes a fraction of his age.

His autograph is:

• Large

• Clean

• Legible

• Consistent

For a 96-year-old legend, his signing quality was better than 90% of modern athletes.

Inscriptions & Collector Prep Matter

The only inscription that gave him slight trouble was “6x Champion,” which we simplified visually to make it easier. For signings like this, preparation is everything.

One tip that worked perfectly:
We printed a reference copy of certain cards and drew where we wanted inscriptions placed. That visual guidance helped Bob absolutely nail the layout—especially on a 1961 Fleer card with three inscriptions. The final result was flawless.

Stories from the Golden Era of Basketball

Bob Cousy shared incredible insight about:

• Bill Russell’s role as a defensive rebounder

• Red Auerbach’s “telephone network” scouting system

• Why the Celtics played as a true team

• The difference between Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain

According to Cousy:

• Wilt was more skilled offensively

• Russell made teams win

• And yes—Wilt really did score 100 points

Bob is still deeply engaged with basketball and still follows the Celtics closely, even commenting on recent playoff games.

Vintage Items Done the Right Way

Some important collector notes from this signing:

• 1957 Topps: Blue Sharpie is the correct choice

• Gold pen on vintage cards is not recommended

• Celtics items look best in green paint pen (Molotow MR Green is the go-to)

Everything came out sharp, clean, and exactly how collectors hope for.

Heading Home (and Beating the Odds)

The return trip included a near-missed connection in Philadelphia. A delayed landing, a sprint through the terminal, and a mechanical delay on the KC flight ended up saving the day. Sometimes delays actually help.

Some cards flew back with me and are already shipped. Larger items will follow shortly.

Final Thoughts

The Bob Cousy autograph signing was truly bucket-list worthy. Signing at a legend’s home, hearing stories from basketball’s earliest days, and handling historic memorabilia made this one special.

At 96 years old, Bob Cousy remains a class act—and it was an honor to work with him.

Visit: powerssportsmemorabilia.com
Follow: @PowersAutographs