Historical Hockey Memorabilia Auction Fall 2021
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/27/2021
The only nation to go undefeated at the 1952 Winter Olympic Hockey Tournament which included shutting out Poland and crushing the Germans 15-1, the Edmonton Mercurys and Ralph Hansch claimed gold, and we offer items worn by the netminder at the tournament including his skates, glove and chest protector, along with a trio of period game-action photos including an example from the 1952 Games. First, the glove sports no label and appears to possibly be a Cooper Weeks model, with two-section pocket and lengthy wrist guard, with a shoestring repair at the cuff. Grommets are missing from the pocket, with heavy overall wear present including considerable darkening of the leather. The glove pictured in each photo appears to match, with one image showing a separation where the current cuff repair was later placed. The goalie skates are CCM tacks models with intact lacing that show heavy wear, with the Hansch family noting that the blades were changed after the Olympics as the skates were later used by Ralph playing for the Edmonton Fire Department in recreation games (one of the included photos does show the bottom of one of the skates, with the blade appearing to be a different model). Lastly, the chest protector is heavy navy blue felt with affixed black leather sections and sports intact strapping, with padding at each side designed to wrap around to protect the rib cage. Heavy wear is present throughout but no damage. An LOA from the family of Ralph Hansch will accompany.
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!
By clicking this button, you will IMMEDIATELY bid the amount selected.
By clicking this button, you will submit this amount as your MAXIMUM (absentee) bid. The auction software will place bids on your behalf up to this amount only as it is bid against competitively by other bidder(s).