1981-82 Topps James Silas #105 Mid-West – In-Person On-Card Autograph – San Antonio Spurs / Cleveland Cavaliers
An original vintage 1981-82 Topps basketball card featuring San Antonio Spurs legend James "Captain Late" Silas, personally signed in bold black marker directly on the card!
This collectible 1981-82 Topps James Silas #105 Mid-West celebrates one of the greatest players in early San Antonio Spurs history and features the distinctive "New Team Cavaliers" designation marking his transition to Cleveland.
The card showcases Silas wearing his classic black San Antonio Spurs uniform, framed by the colorful purple-and-orange graphics of Topps' early-1980s basketball collection.
A prominent black-marker autograph extends across the lower portion of the photograph, creating an attractive display piece for collectors of vintage basketball memorabilia.
This is an original 1981 Topps card with an in-person autograph, not a modern reprint or printed facsimile signature. The autograph has not been independently authenticated.
CARD DETAILS
- Player: James Silas
- Nickname: Captain Late
- Year: 1981-82
- Manufacturer: Topps
- Set: Topps Basketball
- Regional Series: Mid-West
- Card Number: #105 (MW105)
- Team Designation: Cleveland Cavaliers
- Uniform Pictured: San Antonio Spurs
- League: NBA
- Position: Guard
- Special Feature: New Team Cavaliers Designation
- Autograph: In-Person, Black Marker
- Signature Location: Directly on Card Front
- Autograph Authentication: Not Third-Party Certified
- Original/Reprint: Original Vintage Issue
- Rookie Card: No
- Grading: Ungraded
ORIGINAL 1981-82 TOPPS BASKETBALL CARD
The 1981-82 Topps Basketball collection is recognized for its colorful graphics, distinctive player photography, and regional card distribution.
This James Silas example belongs to the Mid-West regional series and features several recognizable elements of the early-1980s Topps design.
Card highlights include:
- Full-color vintage photograph of James Silas
- Classic black San Antonio Spurs uniform
- Purple decorative border and nameplate
- Bold orange CAVALIERS lettering
- Yellow "New Team Cavaliers" starburst
- Original Topps branding
- Vintage cardboard construction
- Original player biography and career statistics on the reverse
The "New Team Cavaliers" designation is particularly interesting because it documents the conclusion of Silas' historic tenure with San Antonio and his subsequent move to Cleveland.
The photograph retains his Spurs uniform while the printed team designation reflects his new franchise.
IN-PERSON ON-CARD AUTOGRAPH
The defining feature of this collectible is its bold black-marker autograph applied directly to the original vintage card.
The signature crosses the lower portion of Silas' uniform and extends into the colorful player identification area.
Unlike modern manufactured autograph cards featuring signatures on adhesive stickers, this autograph is written directly on the original card surface.
Its large appearance makes the card particularly appealing as a display piece for collectors of classic NBA and ABA memorabilia.
IMPORTANT AUTOGRAPH DISCLOSURE
The signature is described as an in-person autograph but has not been independently authenticated by PSA/DNA, Beckett Authentication Services, JSA, or another third-party authentication company.
No third-party Certificate of Authenticity is included or implied.
Buyers should examine the actual photographs to evaluate the signature, ink, placement, and overall appearance.
JAMES SILAS – SAN ANTONIO SPURS LEGEND
James "Captain Late" Silas was one of the foundational stars of the San Antonio Spurs franchise.
After an outstanding collegiate career at Stephen F. Austin State University, Silas entered professional basketball with the Dallas Chaparrals of the American Basketball Association in 1972.
When the franchise relocated to San Antonio in 1973, he became one of its most recognizable players.
Known for his exceptional quickness, creative scoring, and remarkable performances in crucial moments, Silas developed a reputation as one of the ABA's premier guards.
His career accomplishments include:
- 1973 ABA All-Rookie First Team
- 1975 ABA All-Star
- 1975 All-ABA Second Team
- 1976 ABA All-Star
- 1976 All-ABA First Team
- 1976 ABA MVP Runner-Up
- 1997 ABA All-Time Team Selection
- San Antonio Spurs #13 Jersey Retired
Silas delivered one of his finest seasons in 1975-76, averaging 23.8 points per game and helping establish San Antonio as one of professional basketball's most exciting franchises.
His exceptional late-game scoring ability earned him the nickname "Captain Late."
The Spurs eventually retired his #13 jersey, making him the first player in franchise history to receive that honor.
THE 1981 CLEVELAND CAVALIERS CONNECTION
This particular Topps release captures an important transition in Silas' career.
After spending the majority of his professional playing years with San Antonio, he was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers in 1981.
The yellow "New Team Cavaliers" designation documents that move, while the photograph preserves his appearance as a Spurs player.
For collectors of San Antonio basketball history, the card represents the closing chapter of one of the franchise's earliest legendary careers.
The reverse includes Silas' professional statistics through the 1980-81 season, along with his biographical information and original Topps graphics.
VINTAGE COLLECTOR APPEAL
This signed basketball card offers several desirable characteristics.
Original Vintage Issue: An authentic 1981-82 Topps Mid-West regional card from the early NBA trading card era.
In-Person Autograph: A bold signature applied directly to the original card surface.
Historic Spurs Player: Features one of San Antonio's foundational stars and its first retired jersey honoree.
Cavaliers Transition Card: The distinctive New Team graphic documents Silas' move from San Antonio to Cleveland.
Classic Topps Design: Colorful vintage graphics, original player photography, and period-specific cardboard construction.
An excellent addition for collectors of James Silas, San Antonio Spurs memorabilia, Cleveland Cavaliers basketball, vintage NBA and ABA cards, and personally signed sports collectibles.
CONDITION & PHOTOGRAPHS
The photographs show the exact autographed James Silas card being offered, including both its front and reverse.
Please carefully examine the images to evaluate:
- Corners and edge wear
- Front and back centering
- Original printed surfaces
- Autograph placement and ink appearance
- Overall vintage condition
The card exhibits visible signs of age and handling consistent with an older collectible, including minor edge and surface imperfections.
This card has not been professionally graded, and no specific numerical condition grade or future authentication result is guaranteed.
YOU WILL RECEIVE THE EXACT ORIGINAL 1981-82 TOPPS JAMES SILAS #105 MID-WEST CARD WITH IN-PERSON ON-CARD AUTOGRAPH PICTURED.
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