Historical Hockey Memorabilia Auction Spring 2014
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/17/2014
Julian Hedworth George Byng, 1st Viscount Byng of Vimy, was a British Army officer who served as Governor General of Canada and who, along with his wife, came to love the game of hockey, reportedly rarely missing games played by the NHL’s Ottawa Senators. It was Lady Byng who donated a trophy after admiring the gentlemanly play of Ottawa star Frank Nighbor. After Frank Boucher of the New York Rangers won the award seven times within eight years, Lady Byng was so impressed that she gave him the original trophy to keep and donated a second trophy in 1935–36. As for Lord Byng’s penmanship here, his handwritten letter is from July 31, 1928. Written in gorgeous black fountain pen hand on blue “Thorpe Hall” letterhead, it reads:
July 31st 1928
Dear Lady Oxford
I am most grateful for yours of yesterday, and of course, agree with every word you say.
I am rather wondering whether there is anything really wrong or if the police have not been saddled with a good deal of unsubstantiated criticism.
However it seems best to know very little until one takes over, and that is the reason I have been trying to avoid London as far as possible.
I would have come up to see you the other day but I had some Canadians here to look after.
When I see my way a little more I should like to put the case before you but at the present moment I am profoundly ignorant of the whole matter.
With renewed thanks
Viscount Byng of Vimy
As folded the 9” x 7” letter measures 7” x 4 1/2", with another vertical fold crease in the middle. A spectacular way to add a Lord Byng autograph to your collection.
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