Historical Hockey Memorabilia Auction February 2018
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/27/2018
The word "Giant" appeared on Parkhurst wrappers during the 1953-54 season and the cards which followed the company's first two hockey issues indeed must have seemed giant to collectors. They could send away for an album in which to store their collectibles, with the vast majority of this group showing subtle evidence of once having been in a album, more noticeable when in a stack. The key Jean Beliveau rookie card displays as a VG example, with a light one-inch back crease, but a subtle half-circle surface indentation (from the album) sends it to G+ in our eyes. Staining on the reverse of the creased Gordie Howe renders it F, with creases affecting a majority of the set. Best are some 20 crease-free VGs and VG+s, (57-Howell RC is VG+), a few commons attaining VG-EX. Among the five dozen at G or G+ are 1-Lumley, Horton, Richard, Geoffrion and RCs of Bathgate, Arbour and Dineen. The 30-Lach & Richard card is P, with a duplicate 24-Richard at F. The Worsley RC, Sawchuk and Delvecchio are among 14 cards exhibiting trimming, measuring short or narrow. In short, an attractive-to-some lower grade offering.
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The Michael Ontkean “1977 Slap Shot” Movie and Hockey Card Collection
“It’s their rink, it’s their ice, it’s their fu**king town. But tonight we got our fans with us!”
- Reggie Dunlop (Paul Newman), Slap Shot 1977
More prophetic words regarding the legacy of the cult classic hockey film have never been spoken. And despite the passing of four decades and a plethora of sub-par hockey and sports films... the fans of Slap Shot have never left.
Yes Reggie, your fans are still with you, and the beloved Charlestown Chiefs.
While both versed-in and blessed-with an endless array of historic and paramount hockey material here at Classic Auctions, some items and collections are special, as are some consignors. We are absolutely thrilled to bring to auction items from the personal collection of legendary actor and Slap Shot star Michael Ontkean! Included we have Michael's screen-worn Slap Shot jersey, gloves worn throughout both filming and his hockey career and numerous vintage hockey card sets collected by the star. We even have hockey gloves that were taken home by John Wayne after filming Idol of the Crowds in 1937 and gifted to Michael in 1975!
Born in Vancouver and coming from an acting family, it’s no surprise that Michael entered the profession as a youth, first appearing on the Canadian show Hudson’s Bay in 1959. Later coming to prominence in the early-1970s TV series The Rookies, Michael was ideal for the role of Ned Braden in Slap Shot, as the especially gifted actor was no slouch on the ice. At the University of New Hampshire, Ontkean played on the Wildcats first line with the same linemates for their entire college year. In their junior year, 1967-68, this trio was the highest scoring line in the nation with 163 points. Ontkean averaged a little better than a-goal-a-game that season (30 goals in 29 games). This goal-a-game pace has only been done a handful of times in the last forty (40) years. Additional acting roles followed in Willie and Phil (1980), The Blood of Others (1984) and Maid to Order (1987), with his role as Sheriff Harry S. Truman in the critically acclaimed 1990 series Twin Peaks especially notable, with fans disappointed that Michael chose not to reprise his role with the 2017 revival of the series.
While the landmark film has never left the public’s consciousness, it’s difficult to contemplate the sheer importance Slap Shot has had on the hockey world at large. Now belonging to the ages, new and enthusiastic generations of young skaters to come will embrace the film, sharing in the rich history of both the game as well as the film’s accurate and comedic depiction of “old-time hockey”.
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