Scarce complete set of twelve limited edition 'Living Legends' lithographs issued by Sports Illustrated in 1974 and 1976, all presented in their original mats and frames (individually framed to 24.75 x 21), signed in the lower border in pencil by the featured legends. Includes: Joe DiMaggio (1300/1500), Jack Dempsey and Gene Tunney (553/1500), Arnold Palmer (631/1500), Johnny Unitas (1125/1500), Eddie Arcaro (613/1500), Joe Louis and Max Schmeling (179/1500), Wilt Chamberlain and John Havlicek (56/1000), Stan Musial (251/1000), Rod Laver (386/1000), Billie Jean King (108/1000), Red Grange (224/1000), and Jack Nicklaus (226/1000). All bear affixed images and descriptions on the frame's backing, showing the athletes during the signings. In overall fine condition.
These remarkable lithographs feature artwork by a number of the nation's top illustrators of the period, including Gustav Rehberger, Harvey Dinnerstein, Bob Peak, Daniel Schwartz, and Bernie Fuchs. Sports Illustrated issued the first series of six prints in 1974 in an edition of 1500. A second series was issued in 1976, limited to just 1000. The printing plates used to create these lithographs were destroyed following production to ensure their rarity. At the time of their original issue, they were sold for $75-$100 per print. Sports Illustrated did not liquidate their entire inventory during that period, and the price appreciated substantially over the years: the final 100 were offered by the magazine in 1990 for between $400 and $600 a piece. Accompanied by two different original flyers advertising the sale of the prints.
