The 2009 Montreal Centennial Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/24/2009
The first Stanley Cup ring! Without a doubt, the earliest and most significant piece of Stanley Cup history ever offered! All of the Stanley Cup memories and moments, all of the goals and the victories and defeats... all begin with this simple, unassuming gold band. A Challenge Cup, donated by Baron Stanley of Preston, was first presented in 1893 to the Montreal Amateur Athletic Association (AAA), champions of the five-team Amateur Hockey Association of Canada (founded 1887). The club, having won the Senior Amateur Trophy for the previous five years running, was awarded Stanleys silver grail by default and would go on to win it again the next season. This immensely important gold band, presented to a member of the Association is inscribed inside Champions 1888-93 recognizing the teams five straight Senior Championships and first Stanley Cup win. The simplistic ring is engraved and enameled with crossed hockey sticks and MHC (Montreal Hockey Club) and is identical to the only other known example, presented to player Billy Barlow, on permanent display in the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto. Crafted by a local Montreal jeweler (doing business in 1893) as evidenced by the makers hallmark stamped inside with their 15K marking. In addition, the name G.S. Low is inscribed. This undoubtedly refers to the player on the victorious AAA hockey squad in 1893 listed in photographs as G.S. Lowe or George Lowe. It is unlikely that anyone other than a player would have received a championship ring and Lowe was one of the original seven players, skating on the 1888 Championship team as well as the 1893 Stanley Cup-winning squad. This historic treasure was unearthed along with other jewel pieces and watches in the attic of an older home in Vancouver, British Columbia and will come with a letter of authenticity. We are honored to be able to offer this once-in-a-lifetime memento. Please note that this item is subject to a silent reserve.
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