Historical Hockey Memorabilia Auction Winter 2020
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/26/2020
Serving with Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry during the First World War, Mervyn “Red” Dutton spent four seasons with the Calgary Tigers in the early-1920s, with his NHL time split between the Montreal Maroons and New York Americans before ascending to the presidency of the NHL, in 1943. Originating from the incomparable autograph collection of E. Robert Hamlyn, we have a typed letter signed by the early star, accompanied by a signed photo. At approx 8 ½” x 11” and on official “President’s Office” NHL letterhead, the Nov 24, 1943 communication has Dutton mentioning the signed photo to be sent to Hamlyn, with the fountain pen signature bold and problem-free, with the original black ink turning to grey over time. Enshrined in 1958, Red would pass away at age 89, in 1987.
The letter remains in excellent condition, with light toning, a single fold line and an indentation from a paper clip, along with a pair of punched holes for binder insertion and a notation over the reverse stating that Hamlyn received this letter on Dec 2, 1943. The signed photo is 8” x 10” and picture’s Red in his Americans jersey, with the blue ballpoint signature large, bold and absolutely flawless. The photo itself exhibits some light surface wear, with typed biographical text over the reverse.
The E. Robert Hamlyn Hockey HOFers Signed Photo and Letter Collection
Beginning life as the passion of one youth growing up in Newfounland during the late-1930s, E. R. Hamlyn was bitten by the collecting bug as a teenager, and began to seek out the signatures of both contemporary and past hockey stars, with his efforts culminating in the world class collection of signed photos and letters that encompass his incomparable autograph collection, with many unique items and extremely rare signatures making up the vast collection.
Through effective letter writing, first to teams, and then when information was received, directly to the players themselves, Hamlyn would request the addressed parties sign a photo he himself would provide, with the overwhelming majority honouring the enthusiastic collector’s wishes. And enamored with the uniforms of both the Montreal Maroons and New York Americans – despite never seeing these teams play in person, Hamlyn had the foresight to seek out the signatures of past retired stars from long forgotten and defunct franchises. The insightful collector also recorded information now invaluable to his collection, with most of the signed letters and photos having dates listed when they were received back signed.
Numerous early Hall of Fame legends make up the one-of-a-kind gathering including signed photos from Sylvio Mantha, George Hainsworth, King Clancy, Cecil "Babe" Dye, George "Buck" Boucher, Jack Ruttan, Barney Stanley, "Bullet" Joe Simpson and others, along with signed letters from Ernie "Moose" Johnson, Ernie Russell, George McNamara, Jack Marshall, Dickie Boon and others. Impossible to duplicate, this is unequivocally the greatest autograph collection that we have handled in our 25 years of service to the collecting community.
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