Historical Hockey Memorabilia Auction Winter 2021
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/23/2021
Born in Grimsby, Ontario at the dawn of the 20th century and rising through the ranks with appearances for a number of OHA clubs during the early-1920s, Marvin “Cyclone” Wentworth joined the Chicago Cardinals during the American Hockey Association's inaugural season of 1926-27, seeing action in 34 contests. Upon the league folding amidst pressure from the NHL, Wentworth then signed with the second-season Chicago Black Hawks. Spending five seasons as the Black Hawks' stalwart defender, Cy would be named Windy City captain on the strength of his defensive prowess during his final campaign, in 1931-32. A six-season stint with the fabled Montreal Maroons which included a Stanley Cup championship in 1935 followed, with Wentworth enjoying his final two seasons of NHL hockey with the crosstown Canadiens, in 1938-39 and 1939-40. As a member of the Maroons in 1936-37, Wentworth was also an honoured participant in the famous Howie Morenz memorial game, starring on defense for the Montreal All-Stars.
Hailing from the benefit game played on Nov 3rd 1937, at the Montreal Forum to aid the family of the late, great, Howie Morenz who passed away on March 8th, we are pleased to be able to offer the Montreal All-Stars sweater worn in the contest by Cy Wentworth. Striking in appearance, the solid red wool sweater with Canadiens’ blue and white striping accents features both “Howie Morenz” and “Memorial Game” in thick black felt letters across two affixed red wool plates, with the former arching over the latter. A thick red felt “CH” logo with white trim has been sewn to the blue striping band over the left sleeve, and it’s unique in design with a straight left edge as opposed to the familiar rounding. “5” in white felt has been sewn to verso, with the typical blue and white striping bands present on the back and lower reverse omitted from the garment’s obverse. Regarding condition, all material remains completely supple, with the red and blue colouration deep and vibrant, with no signs of fading. The Habs team crest over the left sleeve and reverse “5” are both firmly attached, while the chest plates do sport a few areas where the threading has come loose. Team repairs are also visible, with specimens on each elbow and the left shoulder along with a small series of repairs present on the collar, with each appearing to be period mends. A few very small holes are also visible. These do absolutely nothing to diminish the exceptional visual appeal and display quality of the paramount garment. While it is entirely possible that the repairs were done to preserve the important sweater, they may originate from prolonged use. In addition to the official memorial game played at the Forum on Nov 3, a second benefit game, in Morenz' hometown of Stratford was played a few days later and featured members of the Canadiens (while little information exists, Wentworth as a Montreal Maroon likely did not play, but we feel it is very likely that the jersey was worn in the contest by a Montreal Canadiens player. The game was played only a few days after the official benefit, and with Canadiens players playing in both games, it is highly unlikely that anything but these very sweaters would have been worn).
Thankfully retained for posterity and serving as a tangible relic commemorating not only one of the greatest careers the sport has ever witnessed but one of its most tragic, this considerable treasure demands nothing less than the utmost hobby reverence. A letter and COR from MeiGray will accompany this tremendous offering.
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