1961 Fleer Basketball Set Guide: Key Cards, Rookies, and Checklist
Set Description
Much like 1957 Topps, 1961 Fleer is an extremely important set for basketball cards. It was the first basketball set released after 1957 Topps. During the 4 year span without a set released, many of the games greatest players came into the league. As a result, the 1961 Fleer set is jammed packed with rookie of major Hall of Fame players. An astounding 46 of the 66 total cards feature Hall of Famers. The set consists of solo cards as well as an "in-action" series, which depicts players taking shots or rebounding. The final 22 cards in the set are in-action cards. The solo cards are significantly more valuable than the in-action cards. As far as design goes, the upper third of the card contains the players team/logo and name/position below. The bottom two-thirds contains and image of the player. The key card in the set is the Wilt Chamberlain rookie. An SGC 10 sold for $1.7 million in 2024. Other key cards include Bill Russell and rookies of Elgin Baylor, Hal Greer, K.C Jones, Sam Jones, Oscar Robinson, Jerry West, and Len Wilkins.
Set Information
Manufacturer: Fleer
Year: 1961
Cards in Set: 66
Card Size: 2-1/2" by 3-1/2"
Series
Series 1: 1-66
Notes
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46 of the 66 total cards feature Hall of Famers
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Card #45-66 are In-Action cards
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There are not short prints or variations in the set
Key Rookie Cards
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Elgin Baylor (#3, #46 In Action)
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Wilt Chamberlain (#8, #47 In Action)
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Hal Greer (#16)
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K.C. Jones (#22)
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Sam Jones (#23)
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Oscar Robertson (#36, #61 In Action)
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Jerry West (#43, #66 In Action)
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Len Wilkins (#44)
Errors and Variations
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No significant errors/variations
Key Cards/Hall of Famers
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Bob Cousy (#10, #49 In Action)
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Bill Russell (#38, #62 In Action)
Subsets
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In-Action cards #45-66
1961 Fleer Basketball Checklist
1 Al Attles - Philadelphia Warriors RC
2 Paul Arizin - Philadelphia Warriors
3 Elgin Baylor - Los Angeles Lakers RC
4 Walt Bellamy - Chicago Packers RC
5 Arlen Bockhorn - Cincinnati Royals
6 Bob Boozer - Cincinnati Royals RC
7 Carl Braun - Boston Celtics
8 Wilt Chamberlain - Philadelphia Warriors RC
9 Larry Costello - Syracuse Nationals
10 Bob Cousy - Boston Celtics
11 Walter Dukes - Detroit Pistons
12 Wayne Embry - Cincinnati Royals RC
13 Dave Gambee - Syracuse Nationals
14 Tom Gola - Philadelphia Warriors
15 Sihugo Green - St. Louis Hawks RC
16 Hal Greer - Syracuse Nationals RC
17 Richie Guerin - New York Knicks RC
18 Cliff Hagan - St. Louis Hawks
19 Tom Heinsohn - Boston Celtics
20 Bailey Howell - Detroit Pistons RC
21 Rod Hundley - Los Angeles Lakers
22 K.C. Jones - Boston Celtics RC
23 Sam Jones - Boston Celtics RC
24 Phil Jordon - New York Knicks
25 John Kerr - Syracuse Nationals
26 Rudy Larusso - Los Angeles Lakers RC
27 George Lee - Detroit Pistons
28 Bob Leonard - Chicago Packers
29 Clyde Lovellette - St. Louis Hawks
30 John McCarthy - St. Louis Hawks
31 Tom Meschery - Philadelphia Warriors RC
32 Willie Naulls - New York Knicks
33 Don Ohl - Detroit Pistons RC
34 Bob Pettit - St. Louis Hawks
35 Frank Ramsey - Boston Celtics
36 Oscar Robertson - Cincinnati Royals RC
37 Guy Rodgers - Philadelphia Warriors RC
38 Bill Russell - Boston Celtics
39 Dolph Schayes - Syracuse Nationals
40 Frank Selvy - Los Angeles Lakers
41 Gene Shue - Detroit Pistons
42 Jack Twyman - Cincinnati Royals
43 Jerry West - Los Angeles Lakers RC
44 Lenny Wilkens - St. Louis Hawks RC
In Action (IA)
45 Paul Arizin - Philadelphia Warriors
46 Elgin Baylor - Los Angeles Lakers
47 Wilt Chamberlain - Philadelphia Warriors
48 Larry Costello - Syracuse Nationals
49 Bob Cousy - Boston Celtics
50 Walter Dukes - Detroit Pistons
51 Tom Gola - Philadelphia Warriors
52 Richie Guerin - New York Knicks
53 Cliff Hagan - St. Louis Hawks
54 Tom Heinsohn - Boston Celtics
55 Bailey Howell - Detroit Pistons
56 John Kerr - Syracuse Nationals
57 Rudy Larusso - Los Angeles Lakers
58 Clyde Lovellette - St. Louis Hawks
59 Bob Pettit - St. Louis Hawks
60 Frank Ramsey - Boston Celtics
61 Oscar Robertson - Cincinnati Royals
62 Bill Russell - Boston Celtics
63 Dolph Schayes - Syracuse Nationals
64 Gene Shue - Detroit Pistons
65 Jack Twyman - Cincinnati Royals
66 Jerry West - Los Angeles Lakers