Historical Hockey and Sports Memorabilia Auction November 2024
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/3/2024
A veteran of 1756 National Hockey League contests over the course of a career that spanned a total of twenty-five (25) seasons, Mark Messier would win a total of six (6) Stanley Cup's and be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2007. The last active player to have played in the rival league of the World Hockey Association and also the last active player to have suited up during the 1970s, Messier would play in a total of sixteen (16) NHL All-Star Games during his time spent in the league. One of the greatest leaders in NHL history, Mark Messier would play a total of ten (10) years and 698 games in the bright lights of Manhattan as a member of the New York Rangers over the course of two (2) separate stints with the squad, leading them to their most recent Stanley Cup championship in 1994.
Donned by Messier on the night of November 6th, 1995 against the Calgary Flames at New York's famed Madison Square Garden, Messier would score three (3) goals for a hat-trick on the historic night, Messier, who was seventh on the career points list with 1,385 at the time, would pot his first two (2) goals of the night on the power plays and assist on a goal by Adam Graves in the third (3rd) period (also a power play) marker. For his third goal of the night, which would chase Flames goalie Rick Tabaracci from the net, the historically significant marker would come at 12:32 of the third (3rd) period off of a wrist shot that was assisted by teammates Bruce Driver and Adam Graves to give Messier the distinction of being the 21st player in NHL history to reach 500 goals. Further more, the hat trick was the 21st three-goal game of his career at that point in time. Offered here, we present this New York Rangers jersey that was worn by Messier when he became the 21st player in NHL history to reach the 500 goal plateau which has been conclusively photo and video-matched.
A heavyweight mesh construction garment made by CCM, Gerry Cosby and CCM labeling is affixed to the collar, along with a size “52” fly tag. Featuring a piece of black electrical tape over the CCM label in the collar that was most likely applied back in the day to indicate that it was his 500th goal jersey, the logos of both CCM and the NHL shield have been embroidered into the reverse hem. Decorated over the front of the jersey with the familiar "Rangers" going diagonally down the chest from right-to-left in dual layer drop-shadow blue-over-red tackle twill letters, the distinguished captain's "C" has been placed over the left breast in matching style. Accented over the sleeves and verso with Messier's number "11" in matching style numerals, "Messier" has been spelt out, once again in matching style letters, that have been affixed directly to the material over the upper reverse in a gentle arch. Retaining its fight strap on the interior and displaying a Rangers team stamp inside the reverse hem that displays a Gerry Cosby logo and reads "#11 - Set 1, 95-96", the jersey displays excellent game-wear overall including stick marks over the front, reverse and both sleeves, board burns and light discoloration over both sleeves, some small unrepaired holes over the area of the left elbow as a result of board burns and good pilling on the interior, it is also worth noting that the jersey originally had a dedicated signature from Messier over the reverse which has been professionally removed and done without affecting any of the game-wear that is present.
Regarding the photo-matches and video-matches, the jersey is first photo-matched with Getty Image #53130076 (November 6th, 1995 vs Calgary) to the long black mark in the white stripe below the red stripe on the left sleeve as well as to the burn mark that has also created a burn mark in the material of the garment. Also visible in that image is the black mark just above the blue stripe of the same sleeve while additional matches in that photo include the long black mark on the left side hem and the black mark in the upper white stripe at the lower left side of the jersey. This image is showing Messier just after he released his shot with which he scored his 500th goal.
For the second photo-match, Getty Image #53130078 (November 6th, 1995 vs Calgary) is matched to the perfect placement of the holes in the mesh around the collar, along the front of each shoulder at the junction of the blue stripes, along the inside and outside edges of the captain's "C" and as well as to the exact placement of the mesh holes on all of the visible letters spelling out "Rangers" over the front of the jersey that are seen in the image. This image is showing Messier in the Rangers locker room after the game proudly holding the puck from his 500th career goal as well as the pucks from the other two (2) goals, #498 and #499, that he scored in that same game.
Finally, for the third and final photo-match, the jersey is matched with Getty Image #53130074 (November 6th, 1995 vs Calgary) to the long black mark over the lower reverse/left side hem of the jersey and to the black mark seen just above the blue striping of the left sleeve. This image is showing Messier being congratulated by teammates at the bench after scoring career goal #500.
Additionally, the jersey is also video-matched to screen shots taken during the game which show the long black mark over the hem on the left side after scoring his first (1st) goal of the game and to the same mark, which is shown when Messier is seen leaning on the Rangers bench after scoring his 500th career goal.
One of the best players of an entire generation who served as a leader on every team that he was a part of, what he meant to the Rangers organization and fans was cemented when the Blueshirts lifted his number eleven (11) to the rafters of Madison Square Garden on January 12th, 2006 before a contest between the Rangers and another of Messier's former teams, the Edmonton Oilers, making him just the fourth (4th) number ever retired by New York at that time. A truly special piece donned during a magical moment by one of the best to ever play, don't miss out on this one.
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