Studio photograph of Davey "Pretzel" Banks, a member of the original Celtics, signed by Banks along the base. The photo pictures Banks in formal attire and has been inscribed in blue fountain pen along the base "To Virginia - the sweetest girl in the world - Dave Banks." Both the inscription and signature grade 8/10. The photographer's name, "Spiess N.Y." is written in pencil in the lower right corner. Banks' signature is exceedingly rare because he died in 1952 at the age of fifty. The is the first Banks signed photo we have ever offered and we cannot recall the last time we have seen another. Banks began his professional basketball career in 1920 at the age of nineteen and soon established himself as one of the game's most prolific scorers. In 1926 he joined the original Celtics, basketball's most talent-laden team. The Celtics joined the American Basketball League (ABL) that year and Banks helped lead the club to two straight ABL titles. In the 1927-1928 season, Banks led the ABL in scoring and finished his career as the league's thirteenth all-time scorer. In 1959 the original Celtics, with Banks as a member, were enshrined as a team in the Basketball Hall of Fame. The photo (7x10") displays a light diagonal crease in the upper left corner. Accompanied by its original Spiess photo sleeve (7x10"; VG). Full LOA from JSA.