Historical Hockey Memorabilia Auction Fall 2019
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/5/2019
Filling the skates of the legendary Georges Vezina after the superstar passed in the mid-1920s, George Hainsworth secured a trio of consecutive Vezina Trophy-wins during the latter part of the decade with Montreal, with an appearance made at the 1934 All-Star Game during his tenure with Toronto. Originating from the incomparable autograph collection of E. Robert Hamlyn, we have a vintage letter handwritten and signed by the two-time Stanley Cup champion. At 5” x 8” and on thin paper stock, the communication relates an apology for the late reply, with the dark ink text and signature displaying wonderfully. Inducted into the HOF in 1961, Hainsworth would pass at the young age of 57, in 1950.
As mentioned, the dark ink signature display well, with just some light toning to the letter itself. There is also a pair of binder holes over the top section, with the example on the right punching through the “Kitchener Ontario” text. A handwritten notation over the reverse also states that this letter was received by Hamlyn, on Nov 26, 1944.
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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