Historical Hockey Memorabilia Auction Spring 2014
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/17/2014
Talk about a museum-worthy piece, Wayne Gretzky's photo-matched 1981-82 Edmonton Oilers game-worn jersey is the one the Great One was wearing when he scored his 77th goal to break Phil Esposito's single-season record. Gretz was also wearing this gamer when he recorded his 200th point! Wayne wore this Oilers blue mesh road gamer throughout his record-smashing season as evidenced by photo matching over the course of the entire 1981-82 season, as also supported by the fact that there has never been another photo-matched jersey from this season.
This historic Gretzky gamer is photo-matched to the Esposito-record-breaking game in Buffalo on February 24, 1982 and the 77th goal itself, as well as to the game in Calgary on March 25 when he recorded his 200th point. Given the extensive photo matches of this Gretzky road gamer from pre-season through season's end it is likely that Wayne wore this jersey for most of the 1981-82 season, including on March 28 in Los Angeles when he scored his record-setting 92nd goal against the Kings. This is one of the most photo-matched jerseys ever found in the hobby. While there are a total of 13 photo matches to this gamer listed here, our consignor states that there are many more in print and in his possession which he will share with the winning bidder. Featured is the black mark at the top of the orange portion of the right "9" in the No. 99 on the left sleeve that clearly shows in a photo of Gretzky scoring goal no. 77 against Don Edwards with Sabres defenseman Richie Dunn in pursuit.
The International Year of Disabled Persons patch is sewn on the right shoulder and Sandow SK is screened in white on the right rear tail. There are three fabric-backed team repairs on the lower left sleeve at the cuff and another team repair on the back of the upper left sleeve. Two of the three team repairs on the back of the jersey are fabric-backed and the canvas loop fight strap remains in place. The front of the jersey has red paint transfer on the right tail, black marks, board burns and marks on the team name on the Oilers crest. There are black marks, blue paint transfer and board burns on the left sleeve. The right sleeve has black marks, board burns and an unrepaired burn hole near the cuff. The back of the jersey has black marks, board burns and red paint transfer. Please take note that this item may be subject to a silent reserve. Comes with a MeiGray Vintage LOA and Certificate of Registration, an LOA from Shawn Chaulk and with an LOA from Classic Auctions.
On March 25 in Calgary, Wayne had two goals and two assists for his 89th and 90th goals of the season, and his 200th, 201st, 202nd and 203rd points. He remains the only player to reach the 90-goal mark in a single season, as well as the only player to record 200 points in a season, the latter an accomplishment he achieved four times. Photos from that game clearly show the board burn on the blue mesh to the lower left of the left number 9 on the back of the jersey. This photo also matches the distinctive angle at which the right 9 on the left sleeve is sewn on.
A photo of Wayne signing autographs along the boards offers four photo matches featuring the diagonal black mark through the white and orange stripes on the right front tail. This photo also clearly shows the misaligned material where the stripes are sewn together on the right hip seam and the material that protrudes on the right side of the nameplate, as well as the small clear thread that down into the dark blue at the bottom of the IYODP patch on the right shoulder.
The February 15, 1982 Sports Illustrated cover photo of Gretzky shows the distinctive patterns of black marks on the left shoulder yoke.
Another photo of Wayne leaning on his Titan stick shows the distinctive pattern of black marks on the left shoulder yoke including the front white striping, the distinctive angle that the right number 9 is sewn on the left sleeve, the distinctive shape of the thread area on the upper right side
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