Historical Hockey and Sports Memorabilia Auction April 2024
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/30/2024
Enjoying just a taste of big league hockey, Fern Perreault appeared in a mere 3 NHL games with the New York Rangers during his hockey career including 2 games in 1947-48 and a single match in 1949-50. The native Quebecer did see action for a number of years in the minors up until 1960, skating for a handful of different clubs representing a few different leagues, including the EAHL's New York Rovers, the AHL's New Haven Ramblers and Cincinnati Mohawks, and the QSHL's Chicoutimi Sagueneens and Montreal Royals. Talented despite his limited stay in hockey's biggest league, Perreault managed an impressive 355 points in 398 games throughout his 9 seasons in the QSHL.
Originally hailing from his personal collection, we are thrilled to offer a rare circa 1949-50 New York Rangers jersey. Perreault's two games in
1947-48 occurred on February 18th 1948 and March 7th 1948, and he is listed as wearing #3 that season on the NHL.com game center. His single game in 1949-50 took place on March 8th 1950, and he is listed as wearing #21 that season. The particular details of the "RANGERS" lettering on the front of the jersey matches-up to the jerseys seen on the 1949-50 NY Rangers team photo, with the letters a bit more spaced apart as compared to the 1947-48 and 1948-49 team photos. As such, the jersey is attributed to have been worn by a member of the Rangers that season. In 1949-50, both Nick Mickoski and Jack McLeod are listed as having worn the #11 sweater, with McLeod also listed as wearing #19. Mickoski did play in the March 8th 1950 game in which Perreault played, while McLeod didn't, so we are unable to confirm exactly who wore this jersey, but it was definitely worn for more than a single game, as evidenced by the wear present.
Sporting a Gerry Cosby label (Gerry Cosby & Co., Athletic Outfitters, 12 West 48th Street N.Y.C.) to the inside seam along with a size 48 fly tag, the vintage treasure measures-out to roughly a modern size 44. Featuring "RANGERS" placed across the chest in individual drop-shadow red and white tackle twill along with "11" to the verso in matching numerals - Cosby was clearly an innovator regarding the construction of jerseys during the era, as most teams were still using felt team crests and numbers for a number of proceeding seasons. The familiar striping patterns grace the sleeves and waist, along with a short stretch collar and reinforced elbows. Showing some fading and wear to the material including beneath the front collar and to the elbow sections, team repairs are situated on the front (1), reverse (2), left shoulder (1) and sleeves (4). There is also some sticky residue that can be found on the right shoulder and to the left of the "G" of "RANGERS" over the front, with former mounting tape across the reverse inside hem, indicating that the jersey was most likely framed at some point. A rarity, as 1930s and 1940s New York Rangers sweaters are seldom offered, it should be noted that the shrewd old Silver Fox Lester Patrick did not allow players to keep their uniforms during the era. A Classic Auctions LOA will accompany.
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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