Historical Hockey Memorabilia Auction Fall 2019
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/5/2019
A two-time Stanley Cup champion, Reginald “Hooley” Smith was a member of the famed “S” line with Nels Stewart and Babe Siebert during his time with the Montreal Maroons, with a gold medal also won at the 1924 Winter Olympics. Originating from the incomparable autograph collection of E. Robert Hamlyn, we have a vintage photo signed by the early superstar. At 8” x 10” and pictured on-ice in his NY Americans uniform (1937-41), Smith has signed over the bottom right, adding a personalization to Hamlyn, and signing simply “Hooley”. Joining the membership of the HOF posthumously in 1972, Smith had passed previously at the age of 60, in 1963. We should also note that THIS IS THE FIRST HOOLEY SMITH SIGNED PHOTO WE HAVE EVER SEEN OR OFFERED.
Typed biographical text appears on the reverse, with it noted that Hamlyn received this photo signed, on June 18, 1945. The signature and inscription are somewhat light due to a weak pen, with just light wear to the photo itself including some wrinkles over corners and around Smith’s face, with paper residue over the reverse.
The E. Robert Hamlyn Hockey HOFers Signed Photo and Letter Collection
Beginning life as the passion of one youth growing up in Newfounland during the late-1930s, E. R. Hamlyn was bitten by the collecting bug as a teenager, and began to seek out the signatures of both contemporary and past hockey stars, with his efforts culminating in the world class collection of signed photos and letters that encompass his incomparable autograph collection, with many unique items and extremely rare signatures making up the vast collection.
Through effective letter writing, first to teams, and then when information was received, directly to the players themselves, Hamlyn would request the addressed parties sign a photo he himself would provide, with the overwhelming majority honouring the enthusiastic collector’s wishes. And enamored with the uniforms of both the Montreal Maroons and New York Americans – despite never seeing these teams play in person, Hamlyn had the foresight to seek out the signatures of past retired stars from long forgotten and defunct franchises. The insightful collector also recorded information now invaluable to his collection, with most of the signed letters and photos having dates listed when they were received back signed.
Numerous early Hall of Fame legends make up the one-of-a-kind gathering including signed photos from Dick Irvin, Steamer Maxwell, Frank Patrick, Clint Benedict, Alec Connell, Duke Keats, Frank Foyston, Moose Goheen and others, along with signed letters from Dickie Boon, Harry Hyland, Jack Marshall, Jack Ruttan, Joe Malone, George Hainsworth, Aurele Joliat, Cy Denneny and others. Impossible to duplicate, this is unequivocally the greatest autograph collection that we have handled in our 25 years of service to the collecting community.
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).