Historical Hockey and Sports Memorabilia Auction February 2024
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/20/2024
The greatest player to ever grace the game of hockey throughout its entire history, Wayne Gretzky would suit up for a total of nine (9) years to the tune of 696 games. Registering a total of 583 goals, 1086 assists and 1669 points over that time and leading the Edmonton Oilers to a quartet of Stanley Cup championships, offered here is this vintage-signed Wayne Gretzky Edmonton Oilers jersey that comes with excellent provenance.
Obtained by our consignor and father, who in the early-1980s was a thoroughbred horse trainer and friends with a few of the players on the Oilers roster, training horses for the likes of Craig McTavish, Glen Anderson and even Wayne Gretzky's agent at the time, Mike Barnett, he and his dad had the privilege of meeting most of the team after games in Edmonton and attending certain events that the players were at. Over time, the pairing met Wayne Gretzky on a number of occasions and "The Great One" graciously gave him and his dad a jersey after a game that was signed by him and held onto by the pair for over 35 years. Having recalled receiving the jersey in either 1987 or 1988, our research shows that the garment is a 1982-83 Oilers game jersey based on the material and tagging that the Oilers took from a previous set and recrested it with name, numbers and captain’s "C" for Wayne to sign and give it to our consignor.
An all-mesh construction offering that features a lone size "M" tag affixed to the inner collar, a Nike word mark logo and "swoosh" is found having been screened over the lower right side of the reverse, with 1982-83 being the only year of the Oilers Nike jerseys that it was done in this style as it was switched to the left side the year after due to Wayne always tucking the right side of his jersey into his pants. Decorated over the front with the Oilers well-known team crest in flight satin and featuring embroidered details as well, the distinguished captain's "C" is found having been placed over the left breast. Accented over the sleeves and verso with Wayne's number "99" in layered tri-layer flight satin twill numerals that also sport embroidered details, "Gretzky" is spelt out in single layer white flight satin letters across an affixed matching blue mesh nameplate. Not sure as to who once wore it in game, the jersey exhibits light wear via a couple of board burns over each sleeve and a stick mark near the right elbow while no pilling is observed on the interior as the jersey was not worn long enough though the original loop style fight strap is still present. Having been signed by Gretzky with a vintage blue marker ink signature through the front crest that displays well despite some fading from age, an inscription reading "To Derek, Your Friend" is found opposite the autograph in matching ink and condition. A fabulous vintage item from the early years of Gretzky's storied career, a notorized letter of provenance from our consignor will accompany the piece.
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