Historical Hockey and Sports Memorabilia Auction June 2023
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/28/2023
Enamored by the fledgling game of ice hockey, Frederick Arthur Stanley – then Governor General of Canada – purchased a small trophy bowl in 1892 for ten guineas that would bear his name and become known as the Stanley Cup, with presentation originally designated to the amateur hockey champions of Canada. Offered here, we present this note handwritten by Stanley and signed with his “Stanley of Preston” signature, the rarest of all his signature style used by him when his title stood as “Lord Stanley of Preston” (1886-1893) and is same as what is engraved on the Stanley Cup. Found over two individual sheets measuring approx. 4 ¼” x 6 ½” and 4 ¾” x 5 ½” respectively, the top piece, displaying “Citadel, Quebec” (the secondary official residence of the Governor General of Canada) printed at the top, the note reads “With Lord Stanley’s compliments” in black fountain pen ink that displays well with minimal oxidization. Dated “Sept 14, 89” underneath in matching ink, the second sheet of paper found underneath sports Stanley’s coveted signature, once again in black coloured ink from a fountain pen and showing just light oxidization. Both in excellent condition with varying degrees of toning over both along with some spotting, fold lines are exhibited on the bottom piece since by Stanley. Both mounted on a sheet of paper and housed in an older wooden frame that shows wear to the edges and corners, metal decorations are present at each corner as well with full dimensions measuring out to 11 ½” x 16 ½”.
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