Historical Hockey Memorabilia Auction Fall 2021
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/26/2021
Equipment used by Olympic gold medal-winning goaltender Ralph Hansch is offered from his personal collection totaling four items, including a desirable Louch plexiglass shield goal mask from the 1950s. Included, we have a customized baseman’s mitt in solid reddish-brown leather with no labels or maker’s marks, with a long 10” thin black leather section added to protect the wrist and forearm, giving the appearance of a vintage gauntlet. This is followed by a solid black left-handed goalie “glove” from the circa-1940s, with these the type of models used by keepers like Bill Durnan before the advent of the trapper or “catching” glove, with reeded padding and no maker’s marks visible and heavy wear from use. According the family, Ralph used this glove with the Cloverdale Intermediate Club. Next, we have a 1950s chest protector in solid navy felt with affixed leather sections, with the straps intact and moderate use exhibited. The Louch mask sports the original red leather forehead strap and chin padding, with moderate to heavier use shown with numerous scratches to the plexiglass. 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!
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