1947 BAA Playoffs Chicago Stags Championship Cigarette Case Award Given to Players

The Chicago Stags were one of the original teams in the Basketball Association of America, the league that evolved into the NBA. In their inaugural 1946-47 season, Chicago went 39-22, winning the Western Division behind stars Max Zaslofsky and Chick Halbert. The Stags defeated the Washington Capitols 4-2 in the semifinals to reach the first championship series in BAA/NBA history. There they faced Joe Fulks and the Philadelphia Warriors. Philadelphia won the first three games before Chicago captured Game 4, 74-73. The Warriors clinched the championship with an 83-80 victory in Game 5, winning the series 4-1. Despite their early success, the Stags struggled financially and survived only four seasons, folding in 1950.

Offered is an original BAA Playoffs Cigarette Case that was given to the players on the team for their participation in the BAA Championship series (in which they lost).  This would be considered the first NBA championship series (so this is a very historic artifact).  This silverish/mirror like metal material case shows wears and aging, but some elbow grease could probably restore it almost to its’ original condition.  Measures approximately 4” x 3” in size. 

Super early professional basketball Championship artifact!!!