Historical Hockey and Sports Memorabilia Auction September 2023
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/19/2023
Precipitating the benefit game that would evolve into the modern NHL All-Star contest, the Ace Bailey benefit game held for the injury suffered at the hands of Eddie Shore on Dec 12, 1933, included two fractures to his skull, with two operations necessary. Played on Feb 14, 1934 at Maple Leaf Gardens, the benefit game with proceeds going to the Bailey family featured a team of NHL All-Stars including Shore, along with Charlie Gardiner, Howie Morenz, Nels Stweart, Hooley Smith, Frank Finnigan and others. Facing Bailey’s Toronto Maple Leafs, the All-Stars lost to the Leafs, 7-3, with Busher Jackson scoring a pair for Toronto.
Kept by Finnigan and originating from his personal collection, we have his NHL All-Stars wool sweater worn in the contest. Gorgeous creamy beige sweater with striping in NHL colours sports no tagging, and measures-out to roughly a size 42. Styled with "NHL" sewn diagonally over the front in individual black felt letters with an orange-over-black felt star to the left breast, "3" is sewn to the verso in matching black felt. We should also note that Finnigan is listed as wearing the #3 for the game, with the sweater showing no signs of alteration.
In beautiful original condition, surviving the passing decades completely preserved and with the colouration vibrant, there are just a few small rust-coloured marks to the front and sleeves, with a small blemish to the felt star over the left breast. One of the best antique wool sweaters to ever hit the market when considering the historic importance and stunning condition, this is the first we have ever offered from the fabled Ace Bailey benefit game, with the example worn by Eddie Shore sold some years ago. An LOA from Classic Auctions will accompany this impossible rarity.
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