Historical Hockey and Sports Memorabilia Auction February 2025
A member of the National Hockey League's "Original Six" and one of the most collected teams in hockey, the New York Rangers, also known simply as "The Blueshirts", have called the bright lights of New York City home since their founding in 1926 and have won a total of four (4) Stanley Cup's over that time with the most recent coming in 1994. Approaching their centennial season, offered here, we present this pair of New York Rangers practice jerseys that date from the era of the late-1980s to the early-1990s. Both Ultrafil knit construction offerings made by CCM that are either white or red in colour, the white jersey sports a CCM label affixed to the inner collar that displays a faded size "54" designation over it in ballpoint pen ink while a Gerry Cosby label with a size "XL" designation at its right side is sewn in above. For the red jersey, Maska Ultrafil, size "56" and Gerry Cosby labels are all affixed to the inner collar as well. Both having had CCM logos embroidered into their reverse hems, with the white jersey having an additional Gerry Cosby logo screened on as well, the white jersey remains blank over the front while the red one is decorated with "Rangers" screened on in white letters in an arch over the chest. With the red jersey also displaying apples and crossed hockey sticks screened on over both sleeves (some damage is seen to the apple on the right sleeve), the white jersey remains totally blank except for the number "18" that appears screened on over the reverse in blue numerals. With the red jersey also showcasing the same number over the reverse, done in matching style white numerals, the list of players that may have worn the jerseys includes; Stu Kulak (1987), Jim Pavese (1988), Tony Granato (1989-90), Joe Cirella (1991) and Mike Hartman (1993-95). Both retaining fight straps on their interiors, both show just light wear via stick marks, board burns and fabric snags. A pair of MeiGray LOA's will accompany the lot, both stating that the jerseys were acquired directly from the Rangers organization.
Instrumental to the hobby as one of the founders of the MeiGray Group in 1997, a hobby entity paramount in the authentication of game-worn jerseys and equipment, pioneer collector Barry Meisel enjoyed almost two decades as a successful sports journalist. Beginning with his days interning for the Binghamton Evening Press while a senior in college, Meisel explains how his passion for collecting was fueled, stating “My plan was to get a game-worn jersey for every team I covered once I became a pro hockey writer. I got a Barons, then a Broome Dusters, Binghamton Whalers, New Jersey Devils, New York Islanders, New York Rangers. It was the late '80s. My first career was born. From the Binghamton Press and Sun-Bulletin to the Morristown, NJ, Daily Record, to the New York Daily News”.
In his dozen years with the New York Daily News, Meisel covered the New York Islanders, New York Rangers, New Jersey Devils and New York Giants. He also spent the early-1990s serving as the News’ investigative sports reporter, with additional time as a columnist for The Hockey News (1982-90) and The New York Giants Newsweekly (1990-96), with a few book authored including 'Losing the Edge: The Rise and Fall of the Stanley Cup Champion New York Rangers’. Despite building a vast and encompassing grouping of items, Meisel notes, "I have my favorites. The Scotty Press that still sits in my home office. My 1983-84 Detroit Red Wings Ken Holland, the minor-league goalie in Binghamton who became a lifelong friend, and who had a cup of NHL coffee before becoming a Hall of Fame General Manager. And my 1994 Stanley Cup Finals New York Rangers white Craig MacTavish, who was wearing this jersey in Game 7 at Madison Square Garden on June 14, 1994. MacT knocked the final faceoff into the corner with 1.6 seconds left on a 54-year Jinx, the night the Rangers allowed the Monster of MSG to one day Die in Peace. This jersey is on display at the Garden, to remind every Blue Seater from old Section 433 that the wait was worth it”.
Classic Auctions in honoured to have been chosen to sell the Barry Meisel personal collection, with dozens of high-quality jerseys offered including an endless supply of important New York Rangers specimens from Rod Gilbert, Peter Sundstrom, James Patrick, Mark Tinordi, Kris King and other Blueshirts as well as WHA jerseys from the Indianapolis Racers, Quebec Nordiques and Ottawa Nationals. Additional gems that will have bidders salivating includes Peter McDuff’s 1973-74 AHL Providence Reds game-worn home and away jerseys, bobble head dolls, important programs and other assorted memorabilia.
As always, we hope these long-loved treasures find new appreciative collectors, with Meisel stating it best, “It's time for Classic Collectibles and my good friend Marc Juteau to help me find my gamers new homes. Time for others to enjoy the greatest hobby alive."
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