Historical Hockey Memorabilia Auction Fall 2020
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/20/2020
Five legendary Montreal Canadiens Hall of Famers who helped write part of the Habs’ illustrious history are joined here by fellow HOFer Mark Recchi and long-time admired valiant team captain Saku Koivu in highlighting this autographed jersey collection from fundraising events organized by George Springate. An authentic CCM size 54 red Canadiens Recchi jersey bears the winger’s big bold autograph, with Koivu’ equally perfect signature penned to an XL jersey by Starter. The two stars and 11 of their 1997-98 teammates signed a white Habs jersey, while Henri Richard, Dickie Moore (2), Bernie Geoffrion (2), Yvan Cournoyer and Tom Johnson autographed jerseys also contribute. Dandy photographs do too – please check our website for further details.
The Recchi and Koivu jerseys are from a 1998 McDonald’s McHappy Day and feature sewn-on crests, numbers and nameplates, with a fight strap in the former and the two manufacturer’s company names embroidered into the lower back hem. Also autographing a CCM (size L) jersey were Damphousse, Savage, Corson, Rivet, Quintal, Popovic, Zalapski, Bureau, Poulin, Stevenson and one (unidentified) other. The black signatures display nicely around a sewn-on Habs crest, with no number on the back. Meanwhile, seven jerseys from Quebec Society for Disabled Children skate-a-thons in the 1990s are by CCM and have rubberized surnames and numbers heat-pressed directly onto the backs, with Henri Richard (L), Dickie Moore (L, XL) and Tom Johnson (XL) autographing their respective jerseys between the name and number, while Boom Boom Geoffrion (L, XL) and Yvan Cournoyer (L) signed theirs on the front, to the left and up from the (sewn-on) Habs crests. Light fading to the black marker autographs is to mention. Bringing the jersey total to an even dozen are attractive (unsigned) ball uniforms from a Kirkland Celebrities softball game in 1992. Snazzy red-on-blue tackle twill numbers are sewn on the back where “COURNOYER” and “LEMAIRE” arch over their respective “12” and “25” numbers, with the names sewn-on in individual letters – nice. A scripted “Kirkland” appears on the front of the size XL and L jerseys by Trimark. Fourteen photos are also included, with George Springate appearing in several of the skate-a-thon 8” by 10” jobs and accompanied by Maurice and Henri, the Boomer, Moore, Beliveau, Mahovlich, Cournoyer and Gordie Howe – all looking great! Big typed notes explaining when and where the jerseys were signed are a fine/appreciated complement and George (although now organizing events with his friends in the heavens), deserves our compliments for his many years of fundraising accomplishments that aided children’s and other organizations. A Letter of Authenticity from the Springate family will be included with this neat lot.
The George Springate Collection
Classic Auctions is pleased to offer the personal collection of George Springate. A native Montrealer, George had an amazingly diverse and storied life. Long-time Montreal Alouettes fans know him as the placekicker for the 1970 Grey-Cup-winning Als, while also serving as a Quebec MNA; others for his police, education and political careers.
A unique Canadian, George made impressive contributions to his community, province and country throughout his life, for which he received the Order of Canada among many other honours. A superb fundraiser, he raised millions of dollars for Canadian youth, as well as other charities. Of particular interest to sports enthusiasts/collectors is his more than 50 years of organizing charity events, most particularly the dozens of celebrity skate-a-thons and Oldtimers hockey games that produced scarce and sought-after souvenirs, many featured in this auction.
While a Montreal police officer, George acquired two law degrees and played football at McGill University, was a radio and television personality, and a law professor for 33 years, co-founding the Police Technology Department at John Abbott College. Later in life, he served as a Canadian citizenship judge for 14 years, the last five as Canada’s Senior Judge. Following his death in November 2019, a House of Commons tribute stated, in part: "George was larger than life. He was a friend to all. He touched our lives by his friendship and his philanthropic work, which benefitted so many wonderful causes and organizations." Indeed, what a life!
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