Historical Hockey and Sports Memorabilia Auction April 2024
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/30/2024
Enjoying a successful collegiate career at the University of North Dakota in which he won a National Championship in his freshman year of 1981-82, James Patrick would be selected 9th overall by the New York Rangers at the 1981 NHL Entry Draft and go on to play in 1305 National Hockey League games over the course of 21-years, suiting up for the Rangers as well as the Hartford Whalers, Calgary Flames and Buffalo Sabres over that time. Also representing his native Canada on numerous occasions, including at the 1984 Winter Olympic Games and 1987 Canada Cup, offered here is this Rangers jersey worn by Patrick during the mid-1980s, in either the 1984-85 or 1985-86 seasons of play. A heavyweight mesh construction offering made by Stall and Dean, size "54", Gerry Cosby and washing instructions labeling is all affixed to the inner collar while the interior of the garment sports its original loop style fight strap. Decorated over the front of the jersey with "Rangers" going diagonally down the chest in dual layer blue-over-red drop-shadow tackle twill letters, the distinguished alternate captain's "A" has been added over the left breast. Styled over the sleeves and verso with Patrick's number "3" in matching style numbers, "J. Patrick" is spelt out, once again in matching style letters, that have been sewn directly to the material of the jersey at the top of the back. Of note, James' brother Steve was also a New York Ranger in the same seasons this jersey hails from and that is why the first letter of "James" has been added to the reverse as well, making the pair identifiable on the ice to media and fans and helping date the seasons this particular jersey hails from. Exhibiting excellent game-wear throughout its entirety, stick marks and board burns are present over the front, reverse and both sleeves of the piece while the cuffs and hem also shows light dye transfer marks as well. No longer a crisp white due to numerous wears and washings, team repairs totalling 35+ by our count are found throughout the body and sleeves while other things such as coloured board paint transfers are observed over the lower front and left sleeve. Also showing some light spot and sweat stains throughout as well as pilling on the interior, the jersey comes accompanied by a MeiGray LOA and COR.
Instrumental to the hobby as one of the founders of the MeiGray Group in 1997, a hobby entity paramount in the authentication of game-worn jerseys and equipment, pioneer collector Barry Meisel enjoyed almost two decades as a successful sports journalist. Beginning with his days interning for the Binghamton Evening Press while a senior in college, Meisel explains how his passion for collecting was fueled, stating “My plan was to get a game-worn jersey for every team I covered once I became a pro hockey writer. I got a Barons, then a Broome Dusters, Binghamton Whalers, New Jersey Devils, New York Islanders, New York Rangers. It was the late '80s. My first career was born. From the Binghamton Press and Sun-Bulletin to the Morristown, NJ, Daily Record, to the New York Daily News”.
In his dozen years with the New York Daily News, Meisel covered the New York Islanders, New York Rangers, New Jersey Devils and New York Giants. He also spent the early-1990s serving as the News’ investigative sports reporter, with additional time as a columnist for The Hockey News (1982-90) and The New York Giants Newsweekly (1990-96), with a few book authored including 'Losing the Edge: The Rise and Fall of the Stanley Cup Champion New York Rangers’. Despite building a vast and encompassing grouping of items, Meisel notes, "I have my favorites. The Scotty Press that still sits in my home office. My 1983-84 Detroit Red Wings Ken Holland, the minor-league goalie in Binghamton who became a lifelong friend, and who had a cup of NHL coffee before becoming a Hall of Fame General Manager. And my 1994 Stanley Cup Finals New York Rangers white Craig MacTavish, who was wearing this jersey in Game 7 at Madison Square Garden on June 14, 1994. MacT knocked the final faceoff into the corner with 1.6 seconds left on a 54-year Jinx, the night the Rangers allowed the Monster of MSG to one day Die in Peace. This jersey is on display at the Garden, to remind every Blue Seater from old Section 433 that the wait was worth it”.
Classic Auctions in honoured to have been chosen to sell the Barry Meisel personal collection, with dozens of high-quality jerseys offered including an endless supply of important New York Rangers specimens from Rod Gilbert, Peter Sundstrom, James Patrick, Mark Tinordi, Kris King and other Blueshirts as well as WHA jerseys from the Indianapolis Racers, Quebec Nordiques and Ottawa Nationals. Additional gems that will have bidders salivating includes Peter McDuff’s 1973-74 AHL Providence Reds game-worn home and away jerseys, bobble head dolls, important programs and other assorted memorabilia.
As always, we hope these long-loved treasures find new appreciative collectors, with Meisel stating it best, “It's time for Classic Collectibles and my good friend Marc Juteau to help me find my gamers new homes. Time for others to enjoy the greatest hobby alive."
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