Historical Hockey Memorabilia Auction Spring 2020
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/16/2020
Serving as the famous club’s flagship player for well over three decades, Gordie Howe would don the iconic winged-wheel sweater of the Motor City’s Red Wings for 34 seasons before transitioning to the newly-founded WHA, in 1973-74. Mr Hockey would then grace Texas with his presence for a quartet of seasons with Houston which would include consecutive Avco Cup championships, followed by an additional two years to close out the WHA with New England, in 1977-78 and 1978-79 respectively. Howe would earn a pair of WHA First All-Star Team selections while in his mid-40s, with the Gary L. Davidson Award won by the legendary superstar as the WHA’s MVP in 1974 (the award would be renamed in Howe’s honour the following season).
Originating from his first season in New England, we have a signed Whalers jersey that was worn by Howe during the 1977-78 WHA pre-season. We should start by noting that this style of jersey was last worn by the Whalers during the 1976-77 regular season, with a different style of jersey worn by the club during the 1977-78 and 1978-79 regular seasons. Sporting a Gerry Cosby label with “50” sizing along the collar, the original fight strap has been cut away and removed. Styled with a multi-coloured and layered tackle twill team crest with chin-stitched detailing, Gordie’s iconic “9” resides over the sleeves and verso in matching material, with “Gordie Howe” affixed over the upper reverse in green-over-gold single twill. Two matching alternate crests also reside over the shoulders. It should also be further noted that there is clear evidence that the reverse "9" was slightly lowered/re-positioned (about 1/8" to 1/4"), with “Gordie Howe” over the upper reverse also re-positioned, with both the “Gordie” and “Howe” placed higher originally as well as closer, with no spacing between the words (GORDIEHOWE).
Exhibiting great game-use with a number of dark marks over the lower front, there are additional marks over each sleeve as well as a few material runs, with a couple slits resulting over the reverse band including a large example. There is also a bit of minor spot staining over the right shoulder. Howe has signed the reverse number in silver adding “Mr Hockey”, with the large signature displaying beautifully. Regarding the aforementioned photo-matches, four numeric images are included with three showing the crimping patterns on the team crest as well as the loose green thread on the lower right edge of the harpoon, while the fourth image is also showing the irregular sewing pattern of the harpoon on its outer edge, specifically to the spacing of the dark green threading and visible white spots/spaces within the threading. Seeing action on the back of the games all-time most venerated and respected player, immortality ensues for Howe, with the offered sweater serving as a tangible relic of his unrivaled, iconic career. Please take note that this item may be subject to a silent reserve.
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