A Century of Memories Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/8/2009
Where do we begin! Stunning, dazzling, incredible - you could run through the thesaurus ad nauseum and never run out of superlatives to describe this original 1930s New York Americans game worn sweater. This remarkable rarity remains in absolutely amazing condition! One of the most popular jersey styles in hockey history, this remarkable and gorgeous Amerks #8 beauty was obtained from the family of Hall-of-Famer Harry Oliver, who played his final three seasons with the NHL's first New York franchise in the mid-1930s. Oliver and his Calgary Tigers teammates faced the Montreal Canadiens in the 1924 Stanley Cup final, losing a two-game set to a great Habs squad led by Morenz, Joliat and Vezina. He joined the Boston Bruins in 1926-27 and was a member of the franchise's first Stanley Cup champions in 1929. Following the 1933-34 season, the Bruins dealt Oliver to the Americans, where he wound up his legendary career. The Amerks joined the NHL in 1925-26, one year before the Rangers, though they were soon eclipsed by their Manhattan rivals. The Americans compiled a woeful 255-402-127 mark over the course of their 17-year existence. They made the playoffs once in their first 10 seasons, and just five times overall before suspending operations after playing the 1941-42 season as the Brooklyn Americans. With Oliver in the lineup, the Americans made their second playoff appearance in 1935-36. They finally won their first playoff series 11 years after joining the league when they beat Chicago in the first round before losing their semi-final against Toronto. Whatever the Americans lacked for in talent on the ice they more than made up for in style. With red and white stripes and white felt stars on a blue wool background, this stunning and distinctive hockey sweater brought all the patriotic appeal that wearing the American flag could evoke. The vibrant colors of the red and blue #8 sewn on the back - as well as the individual letters spelling out "AMERICANS" across the front - are as vivid as the day they were sewn onto this historic sweater some 75 years ago! A total of 26 white felt stars are sewn onto the top of the jersey and it's no coincidence that there are 13 against a blue wool background on both the back and front to represent the original States of the Union. Great wear here as we count a total of 17 team repairs on the back of the sleeves. The stitching on the right point of the fourth star from the left on the back of the jersey has let go, otherwise all stitching on this great vintage Americans sweater is intact. A nick in the white felt "N" in the "New York" stitched onto the front is also to note. Original Alex Taylor & Co. tagging is sewn inside the right front hem. A dry cleaning tag attached to the right cuff notes "Blood Stains" - now that's old school hockey! The finest example of a New York Americans game worn jersey we have ever come across, this great sweater is subject to a silent Reserve. Good luck in your bid to win this dazzling piece of hockey history!
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