Historical Hockey Memorabilia Auction Winter 2021
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/24/2021
A practitioner of the artform of goaltending for half a century, Gilles Meloche first backstopped the California Golden Seals for five seasons during the early-1970s, followed by a pair of seasons in Ohio with the Cleveland Barons. Best remembered as a member of first the Minnesota North Stars from 1978-79 to 1984-85, and then the Pittsburgh Penguins for his final three NHL seasons from 1985-86 to 1987-88, Meloche would later serve as a Penguins scout from 1989 to 2006 while also functioning as the goaltending coach/consultant during much of that time.
Encountering several changes throughout its lifetime, this desirable photo-matched mask was produced specifically for Meloche by maker Rob Harris in 1980, and saw use with the North Stars (1980-85), Team Canada (1982 World Championships) and the Penguins (early-on in 1985-86), with three different paint jobs utilized during that time, with each added over the previous paint scheme, with the layers visible. The original paint job was in North Stars colours, followed by a solid white coat added upon his trade to Pittsburgh, and finally, the current Penguins paint scheme. We should also note that according to the accompanying LOA from Rob Harris, the current cage is not the original custom-welded specimen from 1980, with the back plate also not original.
Exhibiting heavy game-use throughout, a few interior pads remain, with white stick tape added over the interior chin section. Glue residue has stained the area behind the forehead, with tape added to reinforce four of the five straps. There is considerable chipping and wear to the surface and finish – especially over the chin section, with some additional chipping and marks to the affixed cage. The LOA from Harris notes that holes were drilled in the mask and used for fasteners including a throat protector that was added when the cage was changed during his time with the North Stars. As mentioned, the mask has had three distinct paint jobs, with 25+ images including from each of his seasons with Minnesota, his time with Team Canada at the 1982 World Championships and his start with Pittsburgh (when the mask was painted solid white) all matched to the particular shape and placement of the ventilation holes throughout.
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