Historical Hockey Memorabilia Auction Winter 2017
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/8/2017
Spending his entire 20+ NHL seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs, George Armstrong began with the Toronto Marlboros, seeing OHA action with the senior club for a pair of seasons in the late-1940s before making his NHL debut on December 3, 1949. Nicknamed “Chief” due to his part Ojibway mother, Armstrong succeeded Ted Kennedy officially as Leafs captain in 1957-58, remaining at the helm for a dozen seasons before handing the reigns to fellow HOFer Dave Keon in 1969. Appearing in 7 All-Star Games throughout his career along with having his name inscribed on Lord Stanley’s hardware 4 times, Armstrong would finish his illustrious career with over 700 points in 1188 regular season games, worthy numbers for inclusion within hockey’s house of holy.
We are pleased to present a Toronto Maple Leafs captain’s sweater that was worn by George Armstrong in 1955-56, and it’s been photo-matched! Tagging from store supplier and long-time MLG resident Doug Laurie is affixed to the collar, with the solid white wool styled with an especially attractive Leafs team crest in felt on felt construction. Accented with thin blue sleeve and lower striping bands, “10” is present on verso in thick felt affixed through zigzag pattern attachment, with the captain’s “C” over the left breast in matching material. Great use is exhibited on the important sweater, with a few random marks present along with some light bleeding from the collar onto the jersey, repeated over the right cuff. Small holes are also present in spots including along the lower reverse and over the right sleeve, along with team repairs over each sleeve. We should note that the Leafs' captain in 1955-56 was Sid Smith, and he played 55 games out of the 70, with Armstrong installed as team captain at some point in the season most likely making this example the first captain's sweater he wore before assuming duties officially in 1957-58.
Regarding the previously mentioned photo-match, a December 28th 1955 image has been matched to Armstrong wearing this jersey without the captain's "C", and photo-matched to particulars on the team crest including all sewn thread details on the interior of the crest and to the exact match of the lettering "Toronto Maple Leafs". Donned by one of the most important all-time Leafs, this sweater is worthy of inclusion within the hobby’s greatest Maple Leafs or vintage wool collections.
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