Historical Hockey and Sports Memorabilia Auction Spring 2022
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/1/2022
A veteran of over 1,000 NHL contests, Jim Neilson played the bulk of his NHL career in Manhattan with the Rangers, with his final season occurring in the WHA with Edmonton, in 1978-79. The Saskatchewan native was a four-time All-Star, and is ranked in the 2009 book ‘100 Ranger Greats’ as 42nd all-time of the 901 New York Rangers who had played during the team's first 82 seasons. This photo-matched East Division All-Star jersey was worn by Neilson at the 1971 All-Star Game. Originally purchased in 1993 from a collection that was sourced directly from Neilson, the jersey was traded for in 1995 and then re-acquired in 1998, with “Worn by Jim Neilson” added to the inside hem while the short-lived owner met Neilson at an autograph signing. Cosby labeling with “50” sizing is affixed to the inside hem, with an embroidered NHL shield crest dominating the chest, with additional shield crests over both breasts and shoulders. “15” is sewn to the chest, sleeves and verso in black twill with orange trim, with “Neilson” placed directly over the upper reverse in matching material. Completely original, with just light use shown and the colouration remaining vivid throughout, the jersey is the ideal specimen for display. The image used for this listing has been matched to particular details and the placement of the numbers on the front of the jersey (the “5” is slightly tilted, with the specifically shown at the bottom left), to the placement of the NHL shields inside the stars on the upper front of the jersey, and to the uneven alignment of the black and orange bands on the front collar. An LOA will accompany. From the Barry Meisel Collection.
Instrumental to the hobby as one of the founders of the MeiGray Group in 1997, a hobby entity paramount in the authentication of game-worn jerseys and equipment, pioneer collector Barry Meisel enjoyed almost two decades as a successful sports journalist. Beginning with his days interning for the Binghamton Evening Press while a senior in college, Meisel explains how his passion for collecting was fueled, stating “My plan was to get a game-worn jersey for every team I covered once I became a pro hockey writer. I got a Barons, then a Broome Dusters, Binghamton Whalers, New Jersey Devils, New York Islanders, New York Rangers. It was the late '80s. My first career was born. From the Binghamton Press and Sun-Bulletin to the Morristown, NJ, Daily Record, to the New York Daily News”.
In his dozen years with the New York Daily News, Meisel covered the New York Islanders, New York Rangers, New Jersey Devils and New York Giants. He also spent the early-1990s serving as the News’ investigative sports reporter, with additional time as a columnist for The Hockey News (1982-90) and The New York Giants Newsweekly (1990-96), with a few book authored including 'Losing the Edge: The Rise and Fall of the Stanley Cup Champion New York Rangers’. Despite building a vast and encompassing grouping of items, Meisel notes, "I have my favorites. The Scotty Press that still sits in my home office. My 1983-84 Detroit Red Wings Ken Holland, the minor-league goalie in Binghamton who became a lifelong friend, and who had a cup of NHL coffee before becoming a Hall of Fame General Manager. And my 1994 Stanley Cup Finals New York Rangers white Craig MacTavish, who was wearing this jersey in Game 7 at Madison Square Garden on June 14, 1994. MacT knocked the final faceoff into the corner with 1.6 seconds left on a 54-year Jinx, the night the Rangers allowed the Monster of MSG to one day Die in Peace. This jersey is on display at the Garden, to remind every Blue Seater from old Section 433 that the wait was worth it”.
Classic Auctions in honoured to have been chosen to sell the Barry Meisel personal collection, with dozens of high-quality jerseys offered including an endless supply of important New York Rangers specimens from Marc Staal, Glen Hanlon, Mattieu Schneider (last MSG home game of the millennium) Kelly Hrudey and others, All-Star Game jerseys from Mark Messier, Jaromir Jagr and Brendan Shanahan, and inaugural season jerseys for the Quebec Nordiques, Chicago Cougars and Kansas City Scouts. The Meisel collection even boasts a rare single-season New York Golden Blades jersey! Additional gems that will have bidders salivating includes prominent lumber, with game-used sticks from HOF members Jean Ratelle, Billy Smith, Bryan Trottier and Igor Larionov, along with a tremendously rare copy of a 1946-47 New York Rangers media guide that predates the club’s first known Blue Book media guide.
As always, we hope these long-loved treasures find new appreciative collectors, with Meisel stating it best, “It's time for Classic Collectibles and my good friend Marc Juteau to help me find my gamers new homes. Time for others to enjoy the greatest hobby alive."
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