Historical Hockey and Sports Memorabilia Auction November 2023
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/28/2023
Perhaps the two (2) greatest players to ever grace the ice of the National Hockey League, Wayne Gretzky, dubbed "The Great One" shattered most of the records set by "Mr. Hockey", Gordie Howe that were once thought to be unbreakable during his career, first meeting his boyhood hero at 12-years-old and building a friendship with Howe later in life as their careers crossed. Offered here, we present this dual-signed framed photograph of the two legends. Originally taken by famed American celebrity photographer, Annie Leibovitz, who was commissioned by American Express to create for advertising campaign, the image was taken in the Los Angeles Kings' dressing room in the Summer of 1990 with campaign launching the same year and wrapping two (2) years later. In terms of provenance, only sixteen (16) of these large format photographs of the legendary pairing were printed, twelve (12) of which we presented as gifts to attendees at an IBM Executive reception hosted at Gretzky's restaurant in Toronto. Adding to their appeal, the images were originally only supposed to include Wayne's signature at the bottom but the story goes that Howe visited the establishment on the day of the reception unannounced and graciously signed all sixteen (16) of the photos on site.
For this particular image, professionally printed in 1995 according to Leibovitz's exacting exposure standards and cropping specifications by Toronto Image Works from the photographer's original large format (5" x 7") studio negative, the 20" x 24" image has been in storage for twenty-five (25) years and is signed by both Howe and Gretzky over their respective images in black marker ink that displays without issue. Displayed under a grey coloured matte and housed in an elegant wooden frame that remains in good condition with light wear to the edges and corners, the piece measures out to full dimensions of 26 1/2" x 32 1/2" and a JSA sticker numbered "XX96326" is affixed in the bottom right corner that is accompanied by a matching JSA LOA. Additionally, also included with the piece is an original copy of the AMEX advertising spread from a 1991 magazine, a colour photocopy of Leibovitz's original 5" x 7" large format studio negative and an original circa 1993-94 postcard that shows the interior of Gretzky's restaurant in Toronto that shows one of the original photographs hanging on the wall between the rookie sweaters of both Gretzky and Howe.
Please note; While all of our frames are thoroughly and safely packaged for shipping, due to the size and/or weight, and dependent upon the shipping company, we should mention that damage may occur in transit. Please note that as such, we are not responsible for any damage to frames that occurs during shipping.
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