A Century of Memories Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/8/2009
This incredible 80-year old autograph book features the original signatures of Howie Morenz, Aurele Joliat and George Hainsworth among the 18 members of the Montreal Canadiens that signed on the final night of the 1928-29 regular season. The autographs of Herb Gardiner and Sylvio Mantha make a total of five Hall-of-Famers included among the signatures that cover two facing pages. These sensational original fountain pen signatures follow one after another, beginning with a rare example of co-owner Louis A. Letourneau's rarely seen penmanship and followed in order by legendary coach Cecil Hart, Morenz, Mondou, Joliat, Gardiner, Sylvio Mantha, Burke, Leduc, Lepine, Patterson, Hainsworth, Georges Mantha, Gagne, trainer Ed Dufour, assistant trainer Jim McKenna, and team doctor J.A. Corrigan. "The Canadian Hockey Team" is noted in pencil at the bottom of the second page, with the date "March 16th, 1929" written beneath it in black fountain pen ink. The Canadiens beat the New York Americans 4-1 at the Montreal Forum that evening to close out the regular season with an NHL-best 59 points and a 22-7-15 record during the 44-game schedule. Hainsworth allowed one goal two days after recording his 22nd shutout of the season, an incredible total that has never been approached. The inside of the cover has "J. Hope (Forbes) Hardie, 14-3-29" written in blue ink. A few other significant signatures appear on the pages that follow these historic Canadiens autographs. Canadian sprinter Jimmy Ball, who signed one month later, won silver and bronze medals in the 1928 Olympics and added another bronze in Los Angeles in 1932. Silent movie star Vilma Banky, who acted opposite Rudolph Valentino in "The Eagle" and "The Son of the Sheik", has added 1929 to her original autograph. The notation "Hollywood actress" is written in pencil beneath the Hungarian beauty's flowing fountain pen signature.
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