Historical Hockey Memorabilia Auction Fall 2019
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/5/2019
Spending a pair of seasons with his hometown Winnipeg Maroons along with Charlie Gardiner before making the jump to the NHL, Nick Wasnie would dress for 16 games with the second-year Chicago Black Hawks in 1927-28, followed by a trio of seasons with the mighty Montreal Canadiens, beginning in 1929-30. Short stints with the Senators, Eagles and Americans would close out his NHL career, with his final four years spent skating in the AHA with the Kansas City Greyhounds. Wasnie was instrumental in the Canadiens Stanley Cup championships in both 1930 and 1931, netting the Cup winner against Boston in 1930 before scoring four goals during the 1931 playoffs including once during the final. An honoured member of the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame, Wasnie would pass away at the age of 88, in 1991.
Breathtakingly stunning and likely the greatest surviving Montreal Canadiens prewar wool sweater extant, this paramount specimen hails directly from the Wasnie family, with this the only example we have ever encountered with the important “Worlds Champions” sleeve patch. Void of any labeling or reverse number and measuring-out to approx a size 40, the famous CH crest has been administered in red and white layered felt, with the circular red patch over the left sleeve having ’29, ’30, ’31 appliqued along with “Worlds Champions”. All material remains supple with the colours fully vibrant, with just a fabric pull over the front and a very small and faint white stain beneath the collar to note.
A December 2nd 1931 photo shows George Hainsworth of the Canadiens wearing this model of sweater, with the same patch as our example, with the jersey appearing to be in very good condition (it’s unknown whether the photo is from an actual game or posed). It is unknown if the Canadiens did wear these jerseys in games or not, with the high grade condition and absence of a reverse number suggesting they weren’t, but rather presented to the team players most likely to wear for photo ops/special occasions. A photo of Wasnie has been added to the listing from a June 1991 newspaper article, (the year he passed way) showing him wearing this very jersey. When contemplating the offered specimen's many attributes including age, condition, rarity and sheer importance, its status as one of the hobby’s most impressive NHL relics is beyond debate. An LOA from Classic Auctions will accompany, and please take note that this item may be subject to a silent reserve.
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