Historical Hockey Memorabilia Auction Spring 2014
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/17/2014
A fascinating hobby event is the opportunity to acquire a pre-war hockey card set that has earned the illustrious distinction of being named "All-Time Finest Set" at PSA, with this 1924-25 Maple Crispette ensemble of cards a perennial PSA champion, (four consecutive years), and now being offered to the most serious of hobbyists. The little black and white treasures were originally included with products manufactured by the Maple Crispette Company of Montreal, a confectioner which produced the likes of "Tootsie Kisses," "Sweetheart Marshmallows" and "John Bull" candy, with an offer on the backs of the cards for a free pair of skates to consumers who sent the company a complete set of 30 cards. It is thought that cards picturing Sprague Cleghorn were short-printed as a means of limiting contest redemptions, with card #15 today considered ultra-rare and not present here. The pride of our consignor, Mr. Simon Bourque, the sweet, sweet jackpot has a set rating of 4.80, (the current finest possible set rating is 5.00), and a weighted GPA of 5.87. Montreal Canadiens' legend Howie Morenz had led his team to the Stanley Cup as a rookie the season prior to appearing on Maple Crispette cards and along with fellow icon Georges Vezina, leads the mouth-watering encapsulated loveliness here. Both the Morenz and Vezina examples are PSA one-of-a-kind NM 7s, with none higher. They are also two of the only six Maple Crispette cards which have earned NM 7 recognition in the history of PSA. One other Pop-1 NM 7 joins the Canadiens' superstars here; the #9 rookie card of Carson Cooper. Meanwhile, the one and only Maple Crispette example to ever be deemed worthy of NM-MT 8 status is included, with Ken Randall of the Hamilton Tigers appearing on card #24 and the champion among the 445 cards, (all players combined), examined and slabbed by PSA over the years. Other highlights include Newsy Lalonde's card #27, a Pop-1 EX-MT+ 6.5 with none higher and Aurele Joliat's #14, one of just two Joliats at EX-MT 6, with none higher. Also Pop-1 examples with none higher on the PSA Population Report are #s 6-Lloyd Cook RC (EX-MT+ 6.5), 16-Dutch Cain RC, 19-Sam Rothschild RC and 23-Mickey Roach (all EX-MT 6), 18-Punch Broadbent (EX+ 5.5) and a pair of EX 5s; 2-Clint Benedict and 3-Norman Fowler RC. All totaled there are, amazingly, 21 cards which are "none-higher-at-PSA" examples, that is to say, either alone in first place or tied for first place on their respective "lines" on the PSA chart. The grade of each individual card, along with an image of each card, can be viewed on the PSA Set Registry under Mr. Bourque's "simgin" moniker. Another absolutely phenomenal and captivating assembly of scarce pre-war collectibles, this tantalizing set awaits its new appreciative owner.
By clicking this button, you will IMMEDIATELY bid the amount selected.
By clicking this button, you will submit this amount as your MAXIMUM (absentee) bid. The auction software will place bids on your behalf up to this amount only as it is bid against competitively by other bidder(s).