Historical Hockey Memorabilia Auction Fall 2019
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/5/2019
A strong two-way forward not afraid of physicality despite his meager physique, Aurele Joliat skated in each of his 16 seasons for the Montreal Canadiens, with the Hart Trophy won as league MVP in 1934 along with appearances at four All-Star contests between 1931 and 1935. Originating from the incomparable autograph collection of E. Robert Hamlyn, we have a letter handwritten and signed by the Hall of Fame superstar. At approx 6 ½” x 10”, Joliat mentions receiving a photo from Hamlyn to sign and return, with the legendary star referring to himself as a “has been”. The text and signature display well, with just light wear to the letter itself. Honoured with election to the HOF in 1947, Joliat would pass away in 1986, at age 84.
As mentioned, the text and signature display nicely, with toning to the letter along with a pair of horizontal fold lines. There is also a pair of binder holes over the top section, with a notation over the reverse that states Hamlyn received this letter on Sept 25, 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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