Historical Hockey Memorabilia Auction Fall 2013
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/5/2013
This exceptional piece of hockey history is this "Historical Book" from the 1925 opening of Madison Square Garden. Rarely seen or offered for sale, this outstanding, original 72-page, 9" x 12" program is from the first game at the "old" MSG, the third incarnation of the famous Manhattan arena on Eighth Avenue, between 49th and 50th Streets. This beauty, which remains in excellent condition overall, with no major flaws, was professionally framed by our consignor, who purchased this superb and complete example at auction. The stupendous undertaking of "Tex" Rickard to create a new and even greater Madison Square Garden comes through in this fascinating 85-year-old publication. New York Hockey Club President, Colonel J.S. Hammond, is also pictured and joins Rickard and manager Tommy Gorman in a New York Americans team photo with "Tex Rickard's Americans - New York Hockey Club" across the top. Fittingly, the Montreal Canadiens, led by Howie Morenz, whose exciting play inspired Rickard to include an ice plant in the new building, supplied the opposition to the Americans on this historic night of December 15, 1925. It was actually after a visit to Montreal and a show put on by the dazzling Morenz in a Maroons-Canadiens game that Rickard agreed to the ice option at MSG, under the condition that Morenz be there for the opener! Morenz scored a brilliant solo goal as the Canadiens won 3-1 in front of the creme de la creme of New York society. Legends Vezina and Joliat were also in the Montreal line up while Bullet Joe Simpson and captain Billy Burch led the Americans. Their complete schedule and the schedule of college hockey games to be played in the new MSG are included, along with an insert inviting the public to the Gala Music Festival to take place five nights later. This treasure will be a cornerstone of a vintage hockey publication collection. Please note that all photos of the program pictured outside of the frame are from its previous auction listing. This historic program remains enclosed in its 15" x 18" frame with a "December 15, 1925" plaque and can easily be removed by its new owner.
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