Historical Hockey and Sports Memorabilia Auction November 2023
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/28/2023
Precipitating the benefit game that would evolve into the modern NHL All-Star contest, the Ace Bailey benefit game held for the injury suffered at the hands of Eddie Shore on Dec 12, 1933, included two fractures to his skull, with two operations necessary. Played on Feb 14, 1934 at Maple Leaf Gardens, the benefit game with proceeds going to the Bailey family featured a team of NHL All-Stars including Shore, along with Charlie Gardiner, Howie Morenz, Nels Stweart, Hooley Smith, Frank Finnigan and others. Facing Bailey’s Toronto Maple Leafs, the All-Stars lost to the Leafs, 7-3, with Busher Jackson scoring a pair for Toronto.
Offered here, we present this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own this program from that memorable contest that has been signed by eighteen (18) of the games participants. A Maple Leaf Gardens booklet issued for the contest that pictures artwork of crowd favourite Busher Jackson on the cover along with a muted but recognizable Charlie Gardiner of the Chicago Black Hawks as well as "Maple Leaf Gardens - Official Programme" and the original cost of .15 cents, the program remains complete with all 72-pages present and accounted for on the interior including the centre line-up page. Surviving in an overall beautiful condition but displaying with some wear, the pages on the interior show even but light toning throughout while some also show things like fold lines and the odd small stain. For the covers, showcasing vivid colours over the front and back, fold lines/light creases, corner/edge wear, spine wear and light surface wear are observed while the top and bottom corners of the front cover at the spine and the edge of the reverse cover also show some small tears. Additionally, the back cover shows similar wear to the front. Accented over the front with the signatures of eighteen (18) that took part in the game, those that have signed the piece in fountain pen include the likes of Howie Morenz, Aurel Joliat, Lester Patrick (Coach), Red Dutton, Lionel Conacher, Frank Finnigan, Allan Shields, Ching Johnson, Normie Himes, Larry Aurie, Hooley Smith, Nels Stewart, Jimmie Ward, Eddie Shore, Charlie Gardiner, Herbie Lewis and Bill Cook while Bill O'Brien, the trainer of the Montreal Maroons has also penned his autograph on the front as well. Of note, it is worth mentioning for accuracy that it appears as though Nelson Stewart started his signature with a writing utensil that didn't work and then got a new one and went over the part he initially started. With all the autographs remaining perfectly legible, don't miss out on this seldom seen opportunity.
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