When did Kareem Abdul Jabbar stop signing "Kareem"?

[discostu]

* Try the papaya *

[tristan20]

Lol why would it matter why he changed?

How many Kareem Autos exist? Maybe he only does them on special occasions?
99% are Abdul Jabbar

[rttrffg2012]

He saves the KAREEM for his coffee

[JasonM32]

He changed it a long long time ago. I don't exactly when or why.

Kareem is one of my all time favorite players. I met him recently and it was a pretty big thrill for me. I actually considered asking him to sign my autograph with his full name but I just took what he gave me. I ended up with Abdul-Jabbar but it is a really crisp and clean autograph.

This is a card in my collection signed all the way back in 1999

[SPauthentic84]

Now here is my question.

Anyone ever see a "Lew Alcindor" signature?

[JasonM32]

Originally Posted by SPauthentic84

Now here is my question.

Anyone ever see a "Lew Alcindor" signature?

I have. It was a vintage signature signed before he officially changed his name. I don't have a picture of it though.

[SPauthentic84]

Originally Posted by JasonM32

I have. It was a vintage signature signed before he officially changed his name. I don't have a picture of it though.

That would be a cool thing to see

[pnft17]

Originally Posted by tristan20

Lol why would it matter why he changed?

How many Kareem Autos exist? Maybe he only does them on special occasions?
99% are Abdul Jabbar

It's very rare to find cards where he signs Kareem. Collectors would pay a nice premium for it. I've seen a couple older vintage cards signed that way in Psadna cases.
I've heard people have asked him a shows to do it and he doesn't.

[pnft17]

Those epic signatures cards left out in light just kill the autos on them.

[goehring9]

Originally Posted by pnft17

Those epic signatures cards left out in light just kill the autos on them.

That's for sure, I have a couple that happened on

[JasonM32]

Originally Posted by pnft17

Those epic signatures cards left out in light just kill the autos on them.

I agree. Mine actually looks pretty dark and nice when you see it in person. The scan makes it look much more faint than it really is. These are some of my favorite autographed cards.

[TarjetasBéisbol]

That would be tough to say OP and it would be interesting to see if he would sign his full name if asked. The only info I found on his auto was on the PSA site; PSA AutographFacts™ - Kareem Abdul - Jabbar/Lew Alcindor

Originally Posted by tristan20

Lol why would it matter why he changed?

How many Kareem Autos exist? Maybe he only does them on special occasions?
99% are Abdul Jabbar

Not sure why this is "lol" worthy? Some people like to know certain things about a players autograph and the history of how it has changed.

[pnft17]

Originally Posted by TarjetasBéisbol

That would be tough to say OP and it would be interesting to see if he would sign his full name if asked. The only info I found on his auto was on the PSA site; PSA AutographFacts™ - Kareem Abdul - Jabbar/Lew Alcindor



Not sure why this is "lol" worthy? Some people like to know certain things about a players autograph and the history of how it has changed.

I agree. I find Kareem/ Lew autograph history pretty interesting.

Someday those epic signatures that still have bright blue autos left on them will get big money. Maybe they already do.

[fezziwig]

Originally Posted by pnft17

It's very rare to find cards where he signs Kareem. Collectors would pay a nice premium for it. I've seen a couple older vintage cards signed that way in Psadna cases.
I've heard people have asked him a shows to do it and he doesn't.

Do you recall the card years?

From what I understand of his history, he converted in the late 60s under the guidance of someone he knew, who became an advisor and helped pick his new name. They had a parting of the ways in the early 70s, and Kareem took a trip to the Middle East to gain a basic command of Arabic so that he could do religious study independent of an advisor in the future.

I read a recent article of Kareem's, in which he translates his name as "the noble one, servant of the almighty". That comma stuck out to me. Read his definition without the comma and we have a sentence that suggests "only noble servant", which is the basic claim made by those trying to portray as prophets (in any religion). He is Kareem (noble one) and he is Abdul-Jabbar (servant of God); maybe this comma bothers him intellectually and feels he must keep the names apart, or maybe he'd just rather be only Abdul-Jabbar.

The autograph line is neither the time or place, but if I had a few minutes for a conversation, I'd talk about the meanings of his names ask him if, knowing he would be Abdul-Jabbar, would he have liked any names other than Kareem and if that's why he signs just Abdul-Jabbar?

Has anyone ever asked him to sign in Arabic script?

[gameissued]

Nice info.. this came from Dr. J's (a family member) collection.. likely late 70's early 80's.

[SportsAutoFreak]

A question I have is if the TTM returns of his some 7-8 years ago were authentic. It was C/O the Lakers and I think I got mine within the first three months of 2007.

[cp312]

Originally Posted by SportsAutoFreak

A question I have is if the TTM returns of his some 7-8 years ago were authentic. It was C/O the Lakers and I think I got mine within the first three months of 2007.

I did the same thing, got it back rather quickly around that same time and was very pleased but have never known if he used a ghost signer.

[SDcardguy24]

don't know about OP's question

Originally Posted by SportsAutoFreak

A question I have is if the TTM returns of his some 7-8 years ago were authentic. It was C/O the Lakers and I think I got mine within the first three months of 2007.

i think they were fine it just looked like he stopped once he hit the autograph show circuit

[SportsAutoFreak]

Well I've wondered if he did have one or not. Just like I wonder now if Oscar Robertson is using a ghost signer. I've seen Big O on his TTM returns. I don't have any cards of his, however. Just curious.

My Kareem return did have an Abdul-Jabbar on it.

[Jin]

Originally Posted by gameissued

Nice info.. this came from Dr. J's (a family member) collection.. likely late 70's early 80's.

Very cool!

[discostu]

* Try the papaya *

[Chicosbailbonds]

i met Kareem 25 years ago and he wasn't signing it them.

[Jedi1823]

Originally Posted by discostu

Kareem basically just signs as "Abdul Jabbar" these days...whereas he used to just sign "Kareem." And rarely signs "Kareem Abdul Jabbar."

Anyone know when the shift was made and/or why?

Hey, he was out there busting his buns every night, and when you drag Walton and Lanier up and down the court for 48 minutes you get tired, so you start to cut corners to save energy.

[derder]

Off topic a bit but does anyone know why Hal Greer signs his name inside of quotation marks?

[CubKings]

Originally Posted by derder

Off topic a bit but does anyone know why Hal Greer signs his name inside of quotation marks?

I've always wondered that myself. Maybe it's a nickname haha