Historical Hockey Memorabilia Auction Fall 2021
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/26/2021
Worn proudly while representing his nation with the Edmonton Mercurys at the Winter Olympics in 1952, goaltender Ralph Hansch donned this desirable blazer with teammates (an original photo of the Mercurys looking dapper in their blazers is included), and it is accompanied by his 1952 Mercurys team jacket. First, the blazer was produced by Eatons with a period label over the right inner pocket, with a second Eatons label within the pocket with typed text that states “R Hansen” (sic) along with size 40 ½” and the date of “20/12/51”. The blazer features a circular felt patch sewn to the left breast with a maple leaf and “1952 Olympics Canada” embroidered. The lapel buttons are intact and sport the same text as the crest, with just light to moderate use to the garment overall, with no obtrusive wear or marks. The Mercurys jacket has no labeling and appears to be a men’s small or medium, with a thick layered felt team crest with “Edmonton” appliqued over the left breast, along with “0” on the right sleeve and a “World’s and Olympic 1952 Champions Canada” crest on the left, with both in matching material. There is general wear to the material throughout including a few marks and small holes, with some fading to the collar material and minor tears and stains to the inner lining. An LOA from the family of Ralph Hansch will accompany.
We should further note that according to the Hansch family, Ralph wore the #0 jersey throughout the European exhibition games that preceded the Olympic Games, and despite this, was told that the number could not be worn during Olympic competition. Hansch decided to not play if he could not wear his number, and the Mercurys backed-up their goaltender, stating they would remove themselves from the tournament if their netminder could not wear his number. The Olympic committee finally relented, and the rest is history.
Added to the Olympic roster just months before the Games which took place in Oslo in February of 1952, Ralph Hansch backstopped the Edmonton Mercurys who represented Canada to the gold medal, and is noteworthy as the only netminder in Olympic history to wear the number “0” jersey. The Mercurys has previously gone undefeated representing Canada at the 1950 World Championships, and immediately after their epic tie with the US that allowed the maple leaf to capture gold at the 1952 Games, the Mercurys also won the inaugural Ahearne Cup tournament in Stockholm, Sweden. From the personal collection of Mr Ralph Hansch who passed away in 2008 at the age of 83, we have a number of important treasures and keepsakes from his time with the Mercurys in 1952 including an extremely rare puck used during the Olympic Games, his glove, skates and chest protector also used at the Games as well as his Olympic blazer and Mercurys jacket, and much more!
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