Historical Hockey Memorabilia Auction Fall 2020
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/20/2020
From an oh so important and memorable night in Montreal Canadiens’ history comes this thought-provoking program, published for the club’s 75th Anniversary banquet when the Habs’ “Dream Team” was honoured. Many of the key figures who contributed to the franchise’s glorious history are masterfully depicted on the cover in a wondrous Michel Lapensée work of art, with the artist’s renditions of the all-time team accompanying their write-ups on the interior. The back cover is where George Springate, part of the organizing committee, had Toe Blake, Jacques Plante, Jean Beliveau, Larry Robinson, Dickie Moore and Maurice Richard apply bold blue ballpoint autographs, with Doug Harvey and Richard signing their respective images inside, enhancing the special keepsake.
The 24-page publication measures a little over 9” square and includes interesting messages in French and English from Eric Molson and Ronald Corey. Molson’s welcoming words thanks the attendees and speaks of “a special tribute to a marvelous team which is a symbol of determination and dedication to excellence” and informs that the benefits raised were to be donated to the Quebec Society for Disabled Children and to the Quebec Association for Cerebral Palsy, with the former being one of the most dearest to George Springate during his many years of organizing charitable events. The gala evening was held at Montreal’s Queen Elizabeth Hotel on Sunday, January 13, 1985, with Claude Mouton the Master of Ceremony and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Band providing music during dinner. Toning in the program’s spine region, more evident on the back cover is to note, while sadly, Larry Robinson is the only living member of the Canadiens’ Dream Team. A Letter of Authenticity from the Springate family will accompany this stirring piece.
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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