Historical Hockey Memorabilia Auction Fall 2020
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/20/2020
More fascinating intrigue from the storied life of George Springate is offered here and brings forth the story of his 11 years with the Montreal Police Force. His badge #2146 and his “Sergent” badges are each represented three times in a brilliant framed display, with George’s duties first including walking the beat and going undercover, with his last seven spent as the force’s “English Voice”, appearing daily on radio and TV. A striking oil painting by renowned illustrator Tex Coulter depicting George at a police call box, along with his billy club and handcuffs from the day are other highlights, while dozens of photographs are interesting and revealing. Please see our website for further details and images of these splendid souvenirs.
The framed police badge display is professionally matted and framed to 13” by 15” while the Coulter painting, also framed, has 20” by 26” dimensions and features the artist’s trademark “TEX” signature in the lower right corner. The 12” billy club with original leather strap is joined by two others (14”, 18-1/2”) that were purchased in later years, with the former cop finding them interesting, while the handcuffs are also cool to check out. A framed panoramic photo (8” x 31”) pictures George with his graduating class and is dated August 1, 1958. Two dozen vintage photographs vary in size, with several showing Springate in front of CFCF-TV cameras during filming of the award-winning “Police in Action” series which he wrote, directed and hosted. A witness to much history, Springate was escort to many dignitaries attending Expo 67 and was on duty at Montreal City Hall on July 24, 1967 when then French president Charles de Gaulle concluded his speech with “Vivre le Quebec Libre.” There’s a nifty 11” by 14” shot of George and a CKGM “News Cruiser” outside of Eaton’s in 1964 (he did traffic reports for CKGM and CFOX), with emceeing various Montreal police shows (self-defense, police dog shows) at Eaton’s among his other numerous contributions. Completing the collection are four typed police reports from 1960 and 1961, along with a scrapbook. It includes police-related material along with articles from his days at McGill University where, while still a police officer, he became “the kicking cop” while starring for the Redmen football team. A Letter of Authenticity from the Springate family will accompany this fantastic collection.
The George Springate Collection
Classic Auctions is pleased to offer the personal collection of George Springate. A native Montrealer, George had an amazingly diverse and storied life. Long-time Montreal Alouettes fans know him as the placekicker for the 1970 Grey-Cup-winning Als, while also serving as a Quebec MNA; others for his police, education and political careers.
A unique Canadian, George made impressive contributions to his community, province and country throughout his life, for which he received the Order of Canada among many other honours. A superb fundraiser, he raised millions of dollars for Canadian youth, as well as other charities. Of particular interest to sports enthusiasts/collectors is his more than 50 years of organizing charity events, most particularly the dozens of celebrity skate-a-thons and Oldtimers hockey games that produced scarce and sought-after souvenirs, many featured in this auction.
While a Montreal police officer, George acquired two law degrees and played football at McGill University, was a radio and television personality, and a law professor for 33 years, co-founding the Police Technology Department at John Abbott College. Later in life, he served as a Canadian citizenship judge for 14 years, the last five as Canada’s Senior Judge. Following his death in November 2019, a House of Commons tribute stated, in part: "George was larger than life. He was a friend to all. He touched our lives by his friendship and his philanthropic work, which benefitted so many wonderful causes and organizations." Indeed, what a life!
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