Historical Hockey Memorabilia Auction Spring 2021
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/30/2021
Absolutely thrilling a 10-year old child with its gifting by one of the game’s all-time greatest legends, this Maurice Richard Montreal Canadiens wool sweater was originally received by a joyous youth after writing to his idol in 1953, the one and only Rocket Richard. Not expecting to hear back from the superstar, and after a lengthy wait, not only did Richard answer the thankful boy, he also sent one of his game-worn Canadiens sweaters, and we offer the highly desirable uniform for the first time. Kept by the boy throughout his life until his passing in 2014, the letter of provenance from our consignor (the boy’s son) states that his grandmother (the original recipient’s mother) had the letter from Richard that originally accompanied the sweater – with her relating the story many times throughout her life - but as she is no longer alive, he was not able to locate said letter.
Void of its original collar label, with the outline still visible, the vintage wool measures-out across the upper reverse to approx a size 46, with a length of 28”. Styled with the iconic CH team crest of the sport’s most storied franchise fully administered in thick red, white and blue layered felt, Richard’s iconic “9” is affixed to the verso in matching material, sewn with an inside-border diamond-shaped pattern. The solid white collar also features four-eyelet configuration on tie-neck construction. With Richard wearing the Habs’ alternate “A” beginning in 1953-54, and with no signs of a former “A” on the offered sweater, it can be pinpointed to 1952-53 as images from group-action shots from that season show players wearing sweaters with the same team crest and reverse number placement. Furthermore, the combination of the team crest and number placement differs on both earlier and later Habs sweater sets, with the timeline of 1952-53 also matching when our consignor’s father would have received the sweater. The 4 eyelets configuration also matches the sweaters seen in the 1952-53 actions photos, with an undated photo of Richard that can be dated to the 1952-53 era by the “Raymond Hardware Ltd” stamping on his stick also showing the correct placement of the reverse “9” in correlation to the striping bands.
Loved by its former owner, our consignor’s father, and most likely worn on occasions throughout the decades while in his possession, the sweater sports heavy game-use, with considerable wear to the material throughout including numerous small holes and team repairs. Repairs by the Canadiens are located on the front (3), reverse (3), shoulders (1) and sleeves (12), with examples added during its later life by our consignor’s family on the front (6), reverse (2, plus a large cluster at the base) and sleeves (8). The team crest and reverse number are both partially-detached, with sweat staining to the armpit sections and numerous small errant paint stains visible throughout the entire jersey, including both white streaks and what appears to be small dabs of grey paint, situated over the collar, lower front, near the team crest, on each upper and lower sleeve and both shoulders. There is also discolouration to the blue striping on the main body and left sleeve. Despite the considerable condition issues, just the mere survival of the historic garment should be celebrated, with any faults heavily outweighed by the extreme rarity. It also needn’t be mentioned that sweaters worn by The Rocket rarely surface for auction or even private sale, with the offered specimen worn by one of the most venerated and worshiped players in history serving as a remarkable treasure of considerable importance.
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