Historical Hockey Memorabilia Auction Fall 2019
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/5/2019
Earning the nickname "Praying Benny” due to his habit of dropping to the ice to make a save – something illegal at the time in the NHL - Clint Benedict pioneered the modern style of goaltending, with his leather mask worn early in 1930 the first of it’s kind. Originating from the incomparable autograph collection of E. Robert Hamlyn, we have a vintage photo signed by the important netminder. At 7 ½” x 9 ½”, the thick-stock glossy print feature’s the innovator in full gear, proudly wearing the wool sweater of the Montreal Maroons. Benedict has signed over the bottom left, with the black ink signature impossible to improve upon. Elected to the HOF in 1965, Praying Benny passed at the age of 84, in 1976. THIS IS THE FIRST CLINT BENEDICT SIGNED PHOTO WE HAVE EVER SEEN OR OFFERED, AND IT IS SURELY THE BEST EXAMPLE EXTANT.
The photo displays beautifully, with a few minor surface wrinkles and corner creases, with typed biographical text appearing over the reverse. There is also a handwritten notation that states that this photo was received by Hamlyn autographed, on June 11, 1946.
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.
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