Historical Hockey Memorabilia Auction Spring 2019
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/18/2019
Famously coming to the aid of Clarence Campbell when the NHL President was attacked by assailants at the Montreal Forum during the Rocket Richard Riot, Jimmy Orlando had already sealed a reputation throughout his career as someone not to be messed with. Paired on defence with equally-menacing Black Jack Stewart during his tenure in Detroit, Orlando proved to be one of the NHL’s meanest competitors and was involved in one of the ugliest incidents in league history, when in November of 1942, Orlando and Toronto’s Gaye Stewart engaged in a stick-swinging battle. Both men ended up semi-conscious, and Orlando, blood streaming down his face, was helped off the ice by referee King Clancy. Immortalized as one of hockey’s most violent fights thanks to having been caught by photographer Nat Turofsky, the photo was the first hockey image to appear on the cover of LIFE magazine. Originally obtained from the nephew of Orlando, we have a gorgeous circa-1937 Detroit Red Wings wool sweater. A Tool Shop Hardware/O’Shea Knitting Mills of Chicago label is situated over the inner left seam, along with a “46” size tag, with this similar to a mid-1930s Larry Aurie jersey we auctioned in October of 2005. The famous winged-wheel Detroit team crest – borrowed from the iconic Montreal AAA – has been administered in cream-coloured felt with red chain-stitched detailing, with “24” in matching felt affixed to the verso in a double-stitch sewing pattern. Displaying brilliantly and representing one of hockey’s most storied and beloved franchises, this Motor City relic is worthy of placement within even the most advanced, world-class collection.
Appearing in ten games with Detroit in 1936-37 and then six the following season, Orlando possibly wore this sweater in some of those contests, with a chance of it being donned by a teammate and/or another player before he arrived in Motown. Orlando wore four different numbers in his years with the Wings, with this verified through the use of program line-ups, and “24” was not one of them. With all material remaining supple including the team crest and reverse number, the sweater’s red colouration remains rich, with the striping bands over the sleeves and waist retaining their cream-colouring. Ten team repairs are visible over the front, with another eight on the right sleeve, two on the left and five over the reverse and shoulders. Approx two dozen small holes that escaped the trainer’s needle and thread are also visible.
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