A Century of Memories Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/8/2009
Much rarer than a cut signature or an autographed letter, this official and legal License for Leasehold Premises has been witnessed in vintage ink by the namesake of our most treasured trophy. Although he never witnessed a championship game, Frederick Arthur Stanley, Lord Stanley of Preston, Governor General to Canada and the Earl of Derby, purchased for the price of ten guineas a trophy bearing his name for presentation to the amateur hockey champions of Canada. The Stanley Cup has since become the symbol of professional hockey supremacy. As Lord Stanley died in 1908 his autograph is usually absent from even the most complete of Hall of Fame collections. This wonderful and scarce find identifies "the Right Honourable Frederick Arthur, Earl of Derby" twice in print on the ancient 8 x 13" page and has been elegantly signed at the bottom "Derby" and dated the thirteenth of March, 1897. The document outlines a lease agreement for property in Chatham in the City of Manchester. Lord Stanley signed as Derby from the time he gained the title in 1892 until his death. In excellent condition.
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