Historical Hockey Memorabilia Auction Fall 2020
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/20/2020
A multitasker like few others, George Springate was a placekicker for the Montreal Alouettes while at the same time a member of Quebec’s National Assembly, with his Als souvenirs here highlighted by a program lineup spread signed by members of the 1970 Grey Cup-winning squad and a big spellbinding 1972 team photo. The latter will have longtime Als faithful marveling, with rookies Larry Smith and Junior Ah You among those catching the beholder’s eye. We count over 40 autographs on the framed piece from the 1970 East Final, led by head coach Sam Etcheverry and Grey Cup MVP Sonny Wade. A framed Alouettes tie is also cool, with more photos (including an award-winning one), magazines, books and other goodies elaborated on our website.
The outstanding official team photo, taken at the Autostade, measures a little over 15” by 19” and was professionally framed back in the day to 21” by 24”, with Springate (#35) joined in the front row by Gaines, Fairholm, Smith, Etcheverry, Berger and others – you’ll be looking for long minutes! Ditto for the matted and framed (14-1/2” x 20”) lineup spread, with coach Etcheverry’s big flowing sig alone at the top and the signing roster also including Red O’Quinn, Peter Dalla Riva, Terry Evanshen, Gene Gaines, Larry Fairholm, Tony Proudfoot, Ed George, Moses Denson, Mike Widger, Gordon Judges, Steve Smear, Merl Code, Mark Kosmos, Barry Randall, Jorma Kuisma and others – we count 47 altogether – nice. The aforementioned tie is tastefully framed (11” x 22”) and joined by a (loose) vintage Alouettes tie clip, with Springate literally caught with his pants down by a photographer while at practice. A 16” by 20” blowup of the photo is framed, with George later posing with the camera-clicker who received an award for his work which was published in a newspaper. A swell 1971 Alouettes yearbook, along with action photos and in the dressing room are present. Other miscellaneous photos include a framed shot of George posing with the Grey Cup post-career, charity-related pictures, snapshots at a 1970 Grey Cup reunion (2) and with former Als’ president Larry Smith (3). Magazines featuring Springate, including a French Maclean’s issue with George kicking on the cover total four, with a duplicate Maclean’s cover framed and two interesting books rounding things out; one tells the history of the Als, while “The Grey Cup Story” was a Christmas gift from the J.I. Albrecht family in 1970, with a nice note on the inside cover reading “To George – One of 32 who won the coveted Cup in 1970 – Appreciatively, The Albrecht Family.” A Letter of Authenticity from the Springate family will be included with this terrific collection.
The George Springate Collection
Classic Auctions is pleased to offer the personal collection of George Springate. A native Montrealer, George had an amazingly diverse and storied life. Long-time Montreal Alouettes fans know him as the placekicker for the 1970 Grey-Cup-winning Als, while also serving as a Quebec MNA; others for his police, education and political careers.
A unique Canadian, George made impressive contributions to his community, province and country throughout his life, for which he received the Order of Canada among many other honours. A superb fundraiser, he raised millions of dollars for Canadian youth, as well as other charities. Of particular interest to sports enthusiasts/collectors is his more than 50 years of organizing charity events, most particularly the dozens of celebrity skate-a-thons and Oldtimers hockey games that produced scarce and sought-after souvenirs, many featured in this auction.
While a Montreal police officer, George acquired two law degrees and played football at McGill University, was a radio and television personality, and a law professor for 33 years, co-founding the Police Technology Department at John Abbott College. Later in life, he served as a Canadian citizenship judge for 14 years, the last five as Canada’s Senior Judge. Following his death in November 2019, a House of Commons tribute stated, in part: "George was larger than life. He was a friend to all. He touched our lives by his friendship and his philanthropic work, which benefitted so many wonderful causes and organizations." Indeed, what a life!
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