Historical Hockey Memorabilia Auction Fall 2020
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/20/2020
Numerous awards and honours were bestowed upon George Springate during his incredible life, with two represented here by impressive plaques. An extremely heavy plaque features a 3-D bronze image of George, selected in 1971 by the Knights of Pythias “As the Athlete in Canada Who Has Done Most to Combat Juvenile Delinquency.” Also impressive is a big beautiful framed photo of George with the award, with former winners Rusty Staub and Jean Beliveau also appearing – nice. There’s also a laminated program cover from the awards night and a large autographed photo of the recipient giving his acceptance speech. In 1985, George received the prestigious L.B. (Mike) Pearson Award, with further details and more images on our website.
The revealing engraving on the (14” x 18”) Pearson Award below Lester B. Pearson’s tasteful likeness reads in part “Presented by Canadian Interuniversity Athletic Union to Mr. George Springate in Recognition of His Outstanding Athletic Career and His Dedication to the Cause of Canadian Unity and the Welfare of its Citizens – June, 1985.” Both special awards have been preserved in excellent condition, while the aforementioned autographed acceptance speech photograph measures a little under 16” by 20”, with George’s signature preceded by “To Russ Blackwell – Canada’s greatest trainer.” A Journal de Montreal newspaper two-page spread from the Knights of Pythias Hall of Fame banquet includes interesting images from the night, while the Staub-Beliveau-Springate-Joe Kramer photo (approx. 15” x 18-1/2”) is professionally matted and framed to 21-1/2” by 25-1/4”. A Letter of Authenticity from the Springate family will be included with these terrific pieces.
The George Springate Collection
Classic Auctions is pleased to offer the personal collection of George Springate. A native Montrealer, George had an amazingly diverse and storied life. Long-time Montreal Alouettes fans know him as the placekicker for the 1970 Grey-Cup-winning Als, while also serving as a Quebec MNA; others for his police, education and political careers.
A unique Canadian, George made impressive contributions to his community, province and country throughout his life, for which he received the Order of Canada among many other honours. A superb fundraiser, he raised millions of dollars for Canadian youth, as well as other charities. Of particular interest to sports enthusiasts/collectors is his more than 50 years of organizing charity events, most particularly the dozens of celebrity skate-a-thons and Oldtimers hockey games that produced scarce and sought-after souvenirs, many featured in this auction.
While a Montreal police officer, George acquired two law degrees and played football at McGill University, was a radio and television personality, and a law professor for 33 years, co-founding the Police Technology Department at John Abbott College. Later in life, he served as a Canadian citizenship judge for 14 years, the last five as Canada’s Senior Judge. Following his death in November 2019, a House of Commons tribute stated, in part: "George was larger than life. He was a friend to all. He touched our lives by his friendship and his philanthropic work, which benefitted so many wonderful causes and organizations." Indeed, what a life!
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