Historical Hockey and Sports Memorabilia Auction September 2023
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/19/2023
A veteran of 977 National Hockey League games and a fixture of the Broad Street Bullies teams of the 1970s, Mel Bridgman would also play for Calgary, New Jersey, Detroit and lastly Vancouver to close out his 14-year NHL career. Offered here, we present this New Jersey Devils jersey originally worn by Bridgman during the 1983-84 pre-season that was then recycled for use by Alan Stewart during the 1987-88 pre-season. Made by Sandow SK, a brand/washing instructions tag displaying a very faint handwritten size “54” designation is affixed to the inner collar. A leftover jersey from New Jersey’s inaugural season of 1982-83, both Sandow SK and Gerry Cosby rubberized labels are found over the reverse hem while the front of the bright red mesh construction garment is decorated with a Devils team crest in layered tackle twill. Of note, the Devils inaugural season of 1982-83 was the only year the team wore Sandow branded jerseys and it is known that many from that season were later recycled for pre-season play in 1987-88. Accented over the sleeves and verso with the number “18” in dual layer white-over-green tackle twill numerals, “Stewart” is spelt out in matching style across the affixed matching mesh nameplate while glue residue of the captain’s “C” once worn by Bridgman is present over the left breast with threads still found on the interior. Of note, number “18” was worn by John Wensink in 1982-83 but due to the light use found throughout the piece we don’t believe it was ever issued to him, additionally, no evidence of a former nameplate is found on the upper reverse as when Bridgman wore it in the 1983-84 pre-season no nameplates were utilized. Showcasing a ribbon style fight strap on the interior, the jersey exhibits just light game-wear via some stick marks over the body and both sleeves, a red paint transfer through the team crest, a couple light board burns throughout and some small unrepaired holes/cuts near the left cuff. Additionally, some light pilling is observed on the interior as well. A Devils LOA will accompany the piece.
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