Historical Hockey Memorabilia Auction Fall 2019
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/5/2019
Only the second ever player in North American professional sports to have his number retired when the Boston Bruins granted the superstar the honour in 1934, Lionel Hitchman also suited up for the fabled Ottawa Senators during his HOF career, later working for the RCMP after his playing days. Originating from the incomparable autograph collection of E. Robert Hamlyn, we have a pair of letters signed by the early star. Both at just under 6” x 8”, dated 1954 and on “Rustwood” letterhead, the first communication (Aug 7, 1954) is typed and references a misplaced photo sent by Hamlyn, with the second letter handwritten (Dec 15, 1954) and mentioning the finding and sending of said photo. Both have been signed in blue ink, with the second letter simply signed “Hitch”. Passing early in 1969 in Glens Falls, New York, Hitchman was 67.
With just very light handling wear to the letters themselves including a fold line on the first letter, there are also a few small minor stains present, with no issues for the signatures, with a pair of binder holes over the top section of each, with no text affected.
The E. Robert Hamlyn Hockey HOFers Signed Photo and Letter Collection
Beginning life as the passion of one youth growing up in Newfounland during the late-1930s, E. R. Hamlyn was bitten by the collecting bug as a teenager, and began to seek out the signatures of both contemporary and past hockey stars, with his efforts culminating in the world class collection of signed photos and letters that encompass his incomparable autograph collection, with many unique items and extremely rare signatures making up the vast collection.
Through effective letter writing, first to teams, and then when information was received, directly to the players themselves, Hamlyn would request the addressed parties sign a photo he himself would provide, with the overwhelming majority honouring the enthusiastic collector’s wishes. And enamored with the uniforms of both the Montreal Maroons and New York Americans – despite never seeing these teams play in person, Hamlyn had the foresight to seek out the signatures of past retired stars from long forgotten and defunct franchises. The insightful collector also recorded information now invaluable to his collection, with most of the signed letters and photos having dates listed when they were received back signed.
Numerous early Hall of Fame legends make up the one-of-a-kind gathering including signed photos from Dick Irvin, Steamer Maxwell, Frank Patrick, Clint Benedict, Alec Connell, Duke Keats, Frank Foyston, Moose Goheen and others, along with signed letters from Dickie Boon, Harry Hyland, Jack Marshall, Jack Ruttan, Joe Malone, George Hainsworth, Aurele Joliat, Cy Denneny and others. Impossible to duplicate, this is unequivocally the greatest autograph collection that we have handled in our 25 years of service to the collecting community.
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