Historical Hockey and Sports Memorabilia Auction April 2024
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/1/2024
Commonly referred to as Randy "The Rocket" Mckay for not only his physical playstyle and consistent double digit goal seasons, but also most notably for his "head high screamers" or hard slapshots into the upper corner of the net, McKay, who was drafted 113th overall by the Detroit Red Wings in 1985, would win two (2) Stanley Cup’s as a member of the New Jersey Devils in 1995 and 2000. A veteran of 932 NHL games who spent eleven (11) of his fifteen (15) NHL seasons with New Jersey, offered here is this Devils jersey worn by McKay for a portion of the 1994-95 season in which he registered twelve (12) points in nineteen (19) playoff games as New Jersey won their first Stanley Cup in franchise history. An Ultrafil material garment made by CCM, a washed out brand label displaying a handwritten "G" for "goalie cut" is affixed to the inner collar which has also had McKay's number "21" stamped to it. Featuring a size "54" fly tag in the same area and having had both the CCM and NHL logos embroidered into the reverse hem, the front of the jersey is decorated with a familiar Devils team crest in layered tackle twill while the sleeves and verso have been styled with McKay's number "21" in dual layer white-over-black tackle twill numerals. Having had "McKay" spelt out in matching style letters across the affixed matching nameplate at the top of the reverse, the jersey displays excellent game-wear throughout including stick marks over the front, reverse and both sleeves, board burns over both sleeves as well as the upper front and shoulders, popped seams around the collar, coloured board paint transfer marks over both sleeves and many unrepaired cuts/holes over both sleeves as well, with the heaviest concentration over the right sleeve. Sporting good pilling on the interior as well as the original fight strap that shows salting and signs of numerous washings, a Custom Crafted stamp denoting the piece as a "1st Set - 1994-95 Season" offering is found inside the reverse hem. An LOA from "Drop The Gloves" as well as a MeiGray COR will accompany the piece.
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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