Historical Hockey and Sports Memorabilia Auction November 2024
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/3/2024
Eddie! Eddie! Eddie! The familiar chant filled Madison Square Garden when Eddie Giacomin was in goal, even when he returned as a member of the Detroit Red Wings. Placed on waivers by the Rangers early in the 1975-76 season, the Hall of Fame goalie was claimed by Detroit and played his first game as a member of the Red Wings in New York on November 2, 1975. A veteran of 609 games in the National Hockey League who won the Vezina Trophy in 1971 and played in six (6) NHL All-Star Games, offered here is this stick used by Giacomin as a member of the Red Wings during the 1975-76 season. A Sher-Wood made example with "Giacomin E. 1" stamped over the upper shaft, the stick retains its original white-over-black tape job around the handle/knob while black tape has been applied in spots around the top of the paddle, heel and entirety of the blade. Also retaining its foil accent stickers around the top and bottom of the paddle, with the one around the top portion mostly covered by Giacomin's tape job, a faded date stamp appearing to read "27 JAN 1976" is found over the edge of the paddle while Giacomin has signed over the upper shaft on the backhand side with a vintage black marker ink signature that displays without issue despite some fading and includes an inscription reading "To Eric Best Wishes" in matching ink. Also having had Giacomin's career totals through 1975-76 penned to the underside of the shaft in black marker, the stick remains in overall excellent condition with light game-wear observed via a few puck marks and abrasions plus a couple of light red post paint transfer marks over the backhand side of the upper shaft. Free from any cracks/breaks, it is worth mentioning for accuracy that the shaft is slightly discoloured in spots.
A prolific behind the scenes historian of all things related to the City of Detroit, James Mackey would begin his professional career as a graphic designer after graduating from Wayne State University with a BA at 20 years of age. Soon finding himself at Channel 2 News in Motown by 1960, where his career spanned a tumultuous 42+ years, ending in 2002 with him retiring as Graphic Manager. Throughout that wonderfully rich career with Channel 2, he was fortunate enough to have won 4 Emmy Awards for set design. Beginning to photograph the Detroit Tigers and Lions as a correspondent for Channel 2 News around 1960 as well, he was hired as a freelance photographer by Olympia Entertainment in 1962, where he would spend the next 34 years procuring some of the greatest hockey moments to have been caught on film in Detroit Red Wings history and in the mid-1960s he would become the graphic artist & cartoonist for the Detroit Red Wings Magazine with multiple sections in each program including "In The Click Of It", "Red Wing Magazine" and "Sticks and Yuks by Mackey". Building many life long relationships with numerous Hockey Hall of Fame greats. Most notably, Gordie Howe, who even went as far to invite Jim to Pittsburgh for the opportunity to capture Gordie scoring his 700th goal, their relationship spanned their entire lives. Described by his son Eric with "He loved sports period", whether it was boat racing, lacrosse, baseball, football, hockey, Jim was there covering the event and capturing moments that will live on forever. As part of its current auction, Classic Auctions is proud to present some of the premier items from the collection of James A. Mackey.
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