Historical Hockey Memorabilia Auction Fall 2020
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/20/2020
McGill University alumni, Redmen footballers in particular, will be enthused with the opportunity to acquire this treasure, a jersey worn by George Springate, a Montreal police officer who spent his off-duty hours earning two law degrees at the school, while starring for the football team, prior to later debuting with the Montreal Alouettes at age 32 – what a story! By 1967 George was team captain and a year later, McGill’s leading scorer. The back of the big number 79 uniform is displayed masterfully in a two-inch thick frame measuring 30” by 31”, with soiling in the white sections and tackle twill numbers of the special (apparent durene cotton) piece of McGill football history, with however no tears/holes visible. A vintage 1967 team photo pictures Springate wearing #79 in the front row and will accompany the exceptional jersey.
The high bidder will also receive five other revealing vintage photographs of the offensive end and placekicker at various stages of his Redmen career, including one published in “Le Petit Journal” in 1968 and another in which he poses in his police officer’s uniform with two McGill players. Fascinating was the life and numerous careers of George Springate, with a Letter of Authenticity from the family to be included – magnifique!
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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