Historical Hockey and Sports Memorabilia Auction June 2023
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/27/2023
A three-time Allan Cup champion with the Port Arthur Bearcats during the mid-to-late-1920s, Gordon “Phat” Wilson was one of the greatest amateur players of his day, with numerous clubs attempting to lure the defenseman into professionalism. Originating from the incomparable autograph collection of E. Robert Hamlyn, we have a signed two-page letter from the 1963 HOF inductee. A simple fold-over sheet at 5" x 6 1/2" (each page), with text on the front and reverse of the fold over, the handwritten ballpoint letter is dated "April 8/67", with Wilson apologizing for his late reply. The "Gordon (Phat) Wilson" signature is absolutely flawless, with no condition issues for the letter itself. Wilson passed away in Thunder Bay in 1970. A JSA LOA will accompany.
Beginning life as the passion of one youth growing up in Newfoundland during the late-1930s, ER 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 honoring 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.
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