Historical Hockey Memorabilia Auction February 2018
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/27/2018
Remembered as one of the top achievements in Canadian hockey history, the Whitby Dunlops were selected to represent Canada at the 1958 World Championships in Oslo Norway, after winning the 1957 Allan Cup as the senior amateur hockey champions of Canada. After the disappointment at the 1956 Olympics and a boycott of the '57 World Championships, the Dunlops brought the world title back to Canada! This absolutely stunning yellow and black Whitby Dunlops wool sweater was worn at the tournament by George Gosselin. With no labeling present, the sweater features a large felt over felt team crest with heat-pressed name and accents, with four highly detailed felt maple leaves running across the upper chest. The maple leaves are again repeated over the reverse with five spread across the neckline below “Canada”, while the thick felt numbers are affixed with zig-zag pattern attachment. Worn throughout the tournament, we should also note that the Canadians embarked on a 14-game exhibition tour of Europe that preceded the tournament.
With the yellow and red accents still bold and bright, the vintage wool exhibits small holes over each elbow, with some minor fraying to the threading around the team crest. There are also team repairs, with examples over the reverse beneath the left shoulder and over each elbow, with some minor cracking to the heat-pressed accents within the team crest. Measuring roughly 22” across the reverse from armpit to armpit, the sweater is roughly a size 44. Also included is a vintage pair of socks, but according to photographic evidence, the 1958 Whitby Dunlops didn't wear this type of sock with either their yellow or black sweaters.
George Gosselin is a North Bay native who was an excellent two sport athlete, devoting his energies to hockey and softball. He was twice called upon to play in the World Hockey Championships. Gosselin was a strong skater and a hard worker and was a standout performer in the OHA/NOHA Senior ranks where he drew the attention of Wren Blair in the 1957 Allan Cup playoffs where his Whitby Dunlops eliminated the North Bay Trappers. Winning the right to represent Canada in the 1958 World Hockey Championships, he picked up Gosselin and the Dunlops went on to win gold against the Soviet Union in Oslo, Norway. The Allan Cup champion Belleville McFarlands did the same thing the following year, winning gold again in Czechoslovakia. Gosselin was also a standout softball player, starring in the GMFA and playing on four All Ontario Intermediate “A” Champions and one Co-champ. In 1951 and 1953 he was with Garland Pepsi's as they shared a title and then won one; in 1954 it was Parkview, 1955 Belmont and 1957 Brown Supply.
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