Jean Beliveau Foundation Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/11/2008
A spectacular way to lead off our Jean Beliveau Foundation auction is this superior offering, a classic wool Canadiens sweater originally obtained directly from Mr. Beliveau and accompanied by an intriguing story. Our consignor was just a youngster when he won the sweater in a contest organized by the Journal de Montreal newspaper not long after Jean Beliveau retired from hockey in 1971 after contributing to a tenth Stanley Cup championship. The Canadiens' former captain personally presented the sweater to the excited boy. Cherished for some 35 years, the uniform is thus now being offered to hobbyists for the first time. Although we cannot find a conclusive photo match for it since jerseys of the era are all very similar, our extensive research has zeroed in on the 1968-69 season, with the jersey looking to be the identical style that shows up in photos from the 1969 Stanley Cup finals against the Blues. After his most productive season in years (33 goals, 82 points), Beliveau continued his inspirational play in the playoffs, potting five goals and 10 assists as the Canadiens swept the Rangers, took out the Bruins in six games (Beliveau scored the double-overtime winner in the 2-1 clinching sixth game) and took care of the Blues in four straight. With the captain's "C" joining the Habs' red, white and blue crest on the front and the original lace making its way through the six eyelets, the untagged sweater features nice pilling inside and out, with a one- inch team repair to report on the double-weight right elbow. Beliveau's famous number "4" is sewn on the back and sleeves and the placement of the numbers matches photos from the '69 Cup finals. A number of holes throughout look to be the work of moths; we spot four on the front, approximately a dozen on each sleeve and eight on the back. A brownish stain in the white stripe on the back, below the number, it also to note. A wool sweater worn by the greatest leader in the long, storied history of the Montreal Canadiens is something that rarely comes up for public sale. Beliveau, jersey and Canadiens enthusiasts will all be equally enticed by this stirring and tantalizing sweater, to be accompanied by a letter of authenticity signed by the one and only Jean Beliveau.
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