Historical Hockey Memorabilia Auction Fall 2020
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/20/2020
Former Montreal Canadiens greats were always willing to help their old friend George Springate in his numerous fundraising endeavors, with several contributing to this intriguing ensemble. Six Habs jerseys here were signed at various Montreal Forum skate-a-thons by Beliveau, Geoffrion, Moore, Henri Richard, Johnson and Cournoyer, with Lafleur autographing one at a 1998 charitable softball game. Meanwhile, the autographs of Maurice Richard and Gordie Howe join those of the aforementioned on single and multi-signed hockey sticks (6), their big classic flowing autographs displaying real well. Photographs, including two personalized to George are also in the mix, with more details and numerous images available on our website.
The six jerseys from Quebec Society for Disabled Children skate-a-thons in the 1990s are by CCM and have surnames and numbers heat-pressed directly onto the backs, with Henri Richard, Dickie Moore and Tom Johnson autographing their respective jerseys between the name and number, with Jean Beliveau, Bernie Geoffrion and Yvan Cournoyer signing theirs on the front, northwest of the (sewn-on) Habs crests. Black marker autographs exhibit a little fading but still display well, with all but the Beliveau and Geoffrion models being XL size and L for Jean and Boom Boom. An errant black mark in the crest of the Cournoyer jersey is to note, while Guy Lafleur’s bold black marker signature is to the right of the famous “CH” insignia on a heavier-weight (numberless) XL jersey by Starter. Guy and George were obviously having a good time when they posed for photos in 1993 at The Defi Royale Hockey Game organized by George, with the two smiling and Guy penning “To The Best Model in Montreal. Thank You George” and “To George Many Thanks” before adding his bold black marker autograph to the respective 8 by 10s. …..As for the hockey sticks, they’re all signed on the blades, with the Rocket and Gordie signing beauty huge marker signatures on opposite sides of a Sher-Wood PMP 5030 model, with Cournoyer, Beliveau and Henri autos in difficult-to-hope-for-nicer condition and side-by-side-by-side on an Easton Ultra Lami Junior model. A similar Easton is single-signed by Lafleur, with Beliveau’s big sig on the blade of a Canadien 6001 model. Jean’s bold blue marker autograph is joined by lightly-faded autos of the Richard brothers, the Boomer, Moore and Johnson on a Koho Pro Fibre 2211. Finally, a trio of 8 by 10 photos taken at the 1998 Royal Festival in Pierrefonds, Quebec include Springate, Beliveau, Henri Richard and Cournoyer. All pieces will come with provenance notes indicating when and where they were autographed. Years in the making, this impressive assembly will also come with a Letter of Authenticity from the Springate family.
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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