Historical Hockey and Sports Memorabilia Auction June 2025
The last active player to have seen action in the 1970s as well as the last active player to have played in the WHA, Mark Messier was drafted 48th overall by the Edmonton Oilers in August of 1979, with 75 games played for the club during his rookie campaign, in 1979-80. With his output climbing to 63 points scored in just 72 games the following season, Messier would secure especially impressive numbers during his third NHL season in 1981-82, averaging better than a-point-a-game while also securing the only 50-goal total of his career. This Edmonton Oilers jersey was worn by the superstar during his third NHL season in 1981-82 - a season that witnessed First All-Star Team selection. Featuring numerous photo-matches for the important jersey, a total of 12 digital images include matches to the original nameplate, the numbers on both sleeves, the washed-out long black mark in the team crest, the long black diagonal mark below the team crest and other specifics as well, with everything detailed below. Some of the digital photo-match images are shown on this listing but all can be requested for review, with additional close-up photos of the jersey also available upon request. We should further note that this set of jerseys is also attributed to have been worn in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs vs the Los Angeles Kings.
Currently void of any collar labeling and measuring-out to roughly a size 54, there is a Sandow SK logo heat-pressed over the reverse hem. Featuring the classic oil drop team crest with embroidered detailing, Mark’s iconic “11” graces the sleeves and verso in layered, tri-colour tackle twill, with “Messier” over the nameplate in individually affixed letters. A loop-style fight strap has also been utilized, with the "International Year of Disabled Persons 1981" patch on the right shoulder. This jersey does not originate from the Wexler collection, it came from Bob Mummery with its original nameplate which wasn't removed, with our photo-matches clearly showing that it is the original nameplate.
Regarding game-use, first, on the FRONT; there are puck and stick marks over the lower front band. There is also a material-backed team repair beneath the front left shoulder. REVERSE; a pair of small unrepaired holes are present on the reverse band along with paint transfer and a stain mark, with additional staining along the bottom edges of the second "1" of "11". LEFT SLEEVE; a few marks are present as well as a stick mark, with a small paint transfer streak situated near the left elbow, with a pair of small unrepaired holes just above the left cuff. There are also three large clumps of material-backed team repairs, along with an additional pair of smaller material-backed team repairs. RIGHT SLEEVE; a scuff mark is visible to the right of the "11", with a puck mark on the lower part of the sleeve. There are also a few faint burn marks over the elbow. SHOULDERS; there are no marks from game-use on the shoulder band. INTERIOR; moderate pilling is present to the interior sleeves near the elbow sections, with this more pronounced on the left sleeve. There is also a bit of fraying along edges of the loop-style fight strap.
Recognizing his hockey brilliance and contributions to the game, the NHL created the Mark Messier Leadership Award in 2006, which is presented "to an individual in the sport who leads by example on the ice, motivates his teammates, and is dedicated to community activities and charitable causes" With too many accolades to fully list from Messier's prestigious career including being the only player to have captained two Stanley Cup championship teams, his current position as #3 on both the NHL's all-time scoring and most games played lists, his Hockey Hall of Fame induction in June of 2007 in his first year of eligibility as well as being named to the Order of Hockey in Canada by Hockey Canada in 2013, to be able to acquire a jersey worn by the superstar early in his lengthy and majestic career is a rare occurrence and literal dream come true for any passionate collector.
PHOTO-MATCH DETAILS BELOW;
The nameplate of the jersey is photo-matched to an image from an 1985 book titled; Wayne Gretzky (SCU-2) Sports Close-ups Limited Edition by Jane Mersky Leder. Based on a video clip of Gretzky's scoring his 77th goal of the season, on February 24th, 1982, breaking Esposito's record, the image is from that game. The image clearly shows a photo-match to the nameplate particularly to the details and placement of the letters on the nameplate including a slightly shorter and lightly angled "M" with the "E" clearly higher. Also showing on the image is the difference between both "S", with the first one placed slightly lower than the second one. Lastly, the top of the number "11" on the back of the jersey are also visible on the image with the second number "1" appearing placed just a tad lower than the first one in correlation with the nameplate as they are placed on the jersey. All those factors are reinforcing the fact that the jersey has its original nameplate. Additionally, three included digital images are also showing photo-matches to the nameplate, two dated from January 17, 1982, with both showing Messier battling with Don Luce of the Toronto Maple Leafs who only played for the Leafs during the 1981-82 season.
Another group of three included digital images, including two dated from January 17, 1982, are photo-matched to the number "11" on the right sleeve which are showing the perfect placement of the numbers in correlation with each other and to the the white striping above and below them. These images also show the slightly angled first number "1" and its slightly higher placement on the lower edge. Additionally, two of these images are showing the matching fold patterns in the white striping above the numbers and the matching placement of the 1981 International Year of Disabled Persons patch as well.
A pair of digital images, both also dated from January 17, 1982, are showing the long mark through the team crest which starts in the middle of the "I" of "OILERS" and ends on the edge of the team crest below the first leg of the "R". This mark is now mostly washed-out on the jersey but is still visible and its placement matches-up perfectly. Additionally, one of the images also show the now washed-out pair of black marks in the white striping below the team crest.
An undated digital image from the 1981-82 season showing Messier in on-ice action with Bill Derlago of the Toronto Maple Leafs is photo-matched to the long black diagonal mark below the team crest which starts in the orange striping and down to the lower portion of the hem.
Two digital images from January 17, 1982 are photo-matched to the black mark going through the lower portion of the second number "1" on the left sleeve with a number of smaller, and now partially washed-out black marks, also showing on both images.
A digital image from the 1981-82 season showing Messier on the ice with Bill Derlago of the Toronto Maple Leafs, is showing the cut in the lower white stripe of the left sleeve. The placement of the repaired cut with a team repair matches the placement of the cut before it was repaired.
Lastly, a group of nine printed photos, mostly 8x10, are included with most showing some of the aforementioned photos-matches.
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