Historical Hockey and Sports Memorabilia Auction Spring 2025
Both members of the WHA's Indianapolis Racers during the 1978-79 season, Mark Messier would play just four games for the fledgling club before signing with Cincinnati, while future teammate Wayne Gretzky - who Messier replaced on the club - would see action in a mere 8 games before his sale to Edmonton. Eligible for the draft after the folding of the WHA, Messier was selected in the third round, 48th overall, by the Edmonton Oilers, where he would once again represent the same club as The Great One. Feared for his rugged dominance and physical play throughout his Hall of Fame career, the Moose would spend a dozen seasons in Alberta, which included summiting the 100-point plateau five times. The 694-goal scorer would also earn eight All-Star selections, two Hart Memorials, two Lester B. Pearson's, one Conn Smythe and five Stanley Cup championships.
From the 1987-88 NHL season where Messier would tie for 5th best in the league with 111 points, we offer an Oilers alternate captain's jersey worn during the Stanley Cup finals, and it is photo-matched to the Cup-clinching Game 5, including the on-ice Cup celebration and Stanley Cup presentation! This game would also be the final hurrah for Messier and Gretzky together on the Oilers. A Nike model with "XL" tagging affixed to the collar and "87/88" handwritten beneath in marker, the jersey features the classic oil drop team crest with embroidered detailing, with a screened Nike logo to the reverse hem. "11" is sewn to the sleeves and verso in embroidered and layered twill, with "Messier" across the nameplate and the alternate's "A" to the left breast all in matching material. The frayed and well-used fight strap is intact to the interior, with "1987-88" handwritten above in black marker. Game-wear on the historic garment includes puck and stick marks to the front and sleeves along with a few faint board burn marks, with numerous team repairs visible (some are material backed), including to the front (5), left (5) and right (2) sleeve. There is also some light blue paint transfer to the upper left sleeve and pilling in spots, including the collar, the reverse neckline band, beneath the fight strap and the interior sleeves.
Getty Images #53130059 (May 26th 1988 Stanley Cup Finals Cup-clinching game #5 with Gretzky, Messier and referee Morel) has been matched to the long black mark below the team crest, and to the two team repairs below the team crest (one at the top of the orange stripe and one at the top of the lower blue stripe). Next, Getty Images #81429390 and #81430201 (May 26th 1988 Stanley Cup Finals Cup-clinching game #5 on-ice celebrations) have both been matched to a number of marks on the front of the jersey including the long black mark below the team crest and the long black mark near the hem, while Getty Images #453119833 (May 26th 1988 Stanley Cup Finals Cup-clinching game #5 on-ice celebrations Messier hoisting Stanley Cup) has been matched to a number of marks on the front of the jersey including the long black mark below the team crest, the long black mark near the hem and the dark black mark also located on the hem. Lastly, Getty Images #53120949 (May 26th 1988 Stanley Cup Finals Cup-clinching game #5 on-ice presentation of the Stanley Cup by John Ziegler) has been matched to the long black mark below the team crest, to the small black mark below the team crest and to the small team repair just below it. Additional included photos and images from the on-ice and locker room celebrations show some of the aforementioned photo-matches as well. Worn by one of the greatest modern players and photo-matched to a classic and historic moment representing one of the hockey's paramount Stanley Cup dynasties, an LOA from MeiGray will accompany along with a COR, and please take note that this item may be subject to a silent reserve.
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