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The Chicago American Gears were a professional basketball team in the National Basketball League (NBL), active from 1944 to 1947. Owned by industrialist Maurice White, the team gained prominence in 1946 when it signed 6'10" high school phenom George Mikan from DePaul University. With Mikan, the Gears won the 1947 NBL championship. However, White abruptly pulled the team from the league to form the Professional Basketball League of America (PBLA), aiming to rival the NBL and BAA. The PBLA folded within weeks, and the Gears disbanded shortly after. The team's brief but influential existence helped usher in the era of dominant big men in basketball and marked Mikan's professional debut, paving the way for the eventual formation of the NBA.
The American Gear and Manufacturing Company specialized in producing industrial gears and mechanical parts, primarily for heavy machinery, automotive, and military applications. During World War II, they were especially active in manufacturing components for tanks, trucks, and other military vehicles. Their owner, Maurice White, used profits from wartime contracts to fund the Chicago American Gears basketball team.
Offered is a 12-page high quality semi-glossy company newsletter that prominently features the Chicago American Gears basketball team. It measures 8.5” x 11” in size. This issue was put out on January 15, 1945 and features stars Dick Triptow and Stan Patrick on the cover (this derives from the collection of Dick Triptow).
We’ve only seen one other (and it was owned by Triptow). Super duper RARE!!!!
Item: 13889
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