Historical Hockey Memorabilia Auction Fall 2020
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/20/2020
A smashing array of images, autographs and game-used memorabilia from the Alouettes’ 1970 championship season is available here, with the lineup spread from the Grey Cup game program signed by some 40 members of the Als and accompanied by a superb big color team photo, with both pieces framed, making for magnificent displays. George Springate’s Riddell flat-toed kicking shoe worn/used in the 1970 Grey Cup game is immortalized in bronze, with his gilded kicking tee also contributing to the unique gathering. There’s also a nifty like-new green, white and red champions ashtray, a Grey Cup program (that the lineup sheet was removed from), a black and white newspaper team photo from the era, along with a swank Alouettes Alumni crest. Please see our website for more details and images of these captivating pieces.
The autographed lineup page pops with its green colors and matting job, with the signatures of Grey Cup MVP Sonny Wade, Peter Dalla Riva, Pierre Desjardins, Larry Fairholm, Steve Smear, Red O’Quinn, Gene Gaines and Sam Berger among those showing up in the white section at the top, while those of head coach Sam Etcheverry, Ed George, Moses Denson, Mike Widger, Gordon Judges, Al Phaneuf, Mark Kosmos and yes, placekicker George Springate, along with still more will be fun to spot further down. Framed to 14-1/2” by 20”, it is joined by a riveting official team photo, framed to approximately 20” by 24”. Longtime Als supporters will love checking out the players/coaches/executives who brought Montreal its first Grey Cup championship in over 20 years. The aforementioned Grey Cup program has a detached cover but offers still more reminiscing entertainment. A Letter of Authenticity from the Springate family will be included with these fascinating mementos.
The George Springate Collection
Classic Auctions is pleased to offer the personal collection of George Springate. A native Montrealer, George had an amazingly diverse and storied life. Long-time Montreal Alouettes fans know him as the placekicker for the 1970 Grey-Cup-winning Als, while also serving as a Quebec MNA; others for his police, education and political careers.
A unique Canadian, George made impressive contributions to his community, province and country throughout his life, for which he received the Order of Canada among many other honours. A superb fundraiser, he raised millions of dollars for Canadian youth, as well as other charities. Of particular interest to sports enthusiasts/collectors is his more than 50 years of organizing charity events, most particularly the dozens of celebrity skate-a-thons and Oldtimers hockey games that produced scarce and sought-after souvenirs, many featured in this auction.
While a Montreal police officer, George acquired two law degrees and played football at McGill University, was a radio and television personality, and a law professor for 33 years, co-founding the Police Technology Department at John Abbott College. Later in life, he served as a Canadian citizenship judge for 14 years, the last five as Canada’s Senior Judge. Following his death in November 2019, a House of Commons tribute stated, in part: "George was larger than life. He was a friend to all. He touched our lives by his friendship and his philanthropic work, which benefitted so many wonderful causes and organizations." Indeed, what a life!
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