Historical Hockey Memorabilia Auction Fall 2020
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/20/2020
Very cool jerseys here were worn by Gordie Howe and Paul Henderson during the “Corey Cup”, a benefit game featuring Montreal Canadiens Oldtimers and Hall of Fame All-Stars, organized by George Springate and held at the Forum in 1991, with proceeds going to Concordia U.’s Stadium Appeal. The two heroes later autographed their jerseys, with Henderson’s signature also enhancing a fabulous multi-autographed framed display picturing him just after scoring his historic 1972 Summit Series-winning goal. The series is paid tribute in a tasteful big 25th anniversary display by Canada Post, while an impressive “Original Six” display is autographed by six Hall of Fame legends. Full details and all the eye candy are available on our website.
The jerseys (size XL by Trimark) feature a red maple leaf and blue hockey stick in (sewn-on) tackle twill, while the players’ names and numbers are rubberized/heat-pressed affairs. Between the name and number is where Howe applied a red marker autograph, with Henderson’s done in black. Before autographing the Summit Series photo, Paul wrote “To George – My Buddy & Great Canadian – Warmest Wishes” with “To George” preceding Yvan Cournoyer’s big bold autograph. Russian goalie Vladislav Tretiak’s autograph also shows up nicely as does that of photographer Denis Brodeur – what a piece! It’s professionally matted and framed to approximately 18” by 23”, while the Canada Post frame is a big 27” by 37” production with stamps, stamp images, a first day cover and an engraved bilingual plaque dated September 20, 1997. The perfect silver ink autographs of Detroit’s Red Kelly, Boston’s Johnny Bucyk, Toronto’s Johnny Bower, Montreal’s Jean Beliveau, Chicago’s Pierre Pilote and New York’s Andy Bathgate appear beside images of three different jerseys of their Original Six franchises, with corresponding logo pins complementing below. The triple-matted shocker measures a big 21-1/2” by 43” and includes a “Signature Pro” Certificate of Authenticity on the back. From the personal collection of the late, great George Springate, these superb pieces will come with a Letter of Authenticity from the Springate family.
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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