Historical Hockey and Sports Memorabilia Auction September 2024
Originating as the the California Golden Seals in the 1967 NHL expansion and serving the need for National Hockey League competition Northern California until the end of the 1975-76 season, the franchise would pack up the trailer and head east for the 1976-77 season, setting up shop in Cleveland and becoming the Barons, the name of the longtime AHL club that called the city home from 1937 to 1973. Lasting for only two (2) seasons before having to merge with the Minnesota North Stars due to dismal attendance and play as well as mounting financial issues, most of the jerseys worn by the club during their two (2) year lifecycle were simply thrown away upon their move to Minnesota. Offered here, we present this sought after rarity, a jersey from the club's first season of 1976-77 that was worn by Frank Spring that was then recycled for use by superstar Dennis Maruk during the 1977-78 pre-season which has also been photo-matched to Maruk. A durene knit offering made by Rawlings, a brand label displaying a size "48" designation is affixed to the inner collar while a loop style fight strap is sewn inside the lower reverse. Decorated over the front of the jersey with a sewn on vinyl patch that features a screened-on Barons team crest that remains free of any cracks but does show numerous scuffs and spots of surface wear throughout along with a bit of bubbling. Accented over the sleeves with the number "21" that was worn by Maruk during his two (2) years with the club in single layer white tackle twill numerals over top of the tri-layered tackle twill Ohio state shield patches, it is worth noting that the outline's of 8's that were sewn on and removed by the team's training/equipment staff is still easily visible and that the 1's that have been sewn on in their place are hastily done customized jobs. With the number "21" also appearing over the reverse in single layer red tackle twill numerals, changed over from the original "28" but not showing any real remaining evidence of the switch, it is also worth noting that the "1" was sewn on in a different style of twill and with a wider stitch pattern around the edges. Additionally, the jersey appears to show just very light evidence of a nameplate that was once applied over the upper reverse with research showing that this is a first set jersey based on the fact that the Barons wore their first set of inaugural season home jerseys both with and without nameplates, likely for TV games, while their second set of jerseys had the player names sewn directly to the material of the upper reverse in single layer black twill letters before being removed by team training/equipment staff, which is not seen here on this one being offered.
Displaying with good game-use throughout, stick marks are present over the front, reverse and both sleeves while board burns, small unrepaired holes and blue coloured paint transfers are observed over both sleeves as well while more board burns exist over the front and reverse hem lines also. With staining found throughout that makes the once white jersey display with a yellow/cream hue, heavier spot stains are dotted over the front and both sleeves while pilling is seen on the interior.
Regarding the photo-match, the jersey is matched to an image showing Maruk wearing the jersey in a posed image during the 1977-78 pre-season/training camp that was used on the cover of that year's media guide which shows the custom done number 1's, the mark in the shield under the "1" of left sleeve, the small wear spot in the black portion to the right of the "D" at the edge of the front crest, to the loose threads coming off the "1" of the right sleeve and to the mostly washed out stick mark/board burn to the right of the shield crest on the left sleeve.
Finally, also included with the lot is a stick used by Maruk during his rookie season of 1975-76 as a member of the California Golden Seals. A Koho 221 model twig with a faint "Maruk" stamp appearing over the upper shaft, the stick retains its original white-over-black tape job over the handle/knob and black around the blade which has separated from the blade along the bottom edge on the forehand side. Of note, a piece of plastic film has been added over top of the name stamp on the upper shaft as well. Void of the accent striping stickers that were once wrapped around the shaft in places, the stick shows use via numerous marks and abrasions throughout as well as some wear to the toe and underside of the blade while also displaying a faded date stamp reading "FEB 25 1976" on the underside of the shaft.
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