Historical Hockey Memorabilia Auction Fall 2020
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/20/2020
Well-known politicians Brian Mulroney and George Springate combine for an intriguing lot here, with the latter’s personal beaver coat photo-matched(!) to Montreal’s 1980 St. Patrick’s Day parade, with George walking with Grand Marshall Mulroney, the future Prime Minister later signing a now framed photo “for my friend George – with warm regards, Brian.” The stupendous fur coat, by J.K. Walkdon Furriers of Montreal, has “George P. Springate” embroidered into the inner lining and has been preserved in outstanding condition. Other photos complete the lot, including a Mulroney- autographed shot of George and Brian in the Prime Minister’s office in 1990. An LOA from the Springate family will accompany these unique items.
In the white border beneath one of three different 5-1/2” by 7-1/2” color images of Springate and Mulroney (in the P.M.’s office in 1990) is where the latter’s bold penmanship reads “for an old friend, George – with best wishes – Brian Mulroney.” There’s also a (loose) duplicate of the two walking in the 1980 parade and another from the same event with a J.J. Raudsepp photographer’s stamp front and back. The two men are shaking hands at a Mulroney campaigning event and a second-generation photo pictures Springate wearing his fur in Montreal's 1985 St. Patty’s Day parade.
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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