Historical Hockey and Sports Memorabilia Auction April 2024
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/1/2024
Although he never witnessed a championship game, Fredrick Arthur Stanley, Lord Stanley of Preston, the Governor General to Canada and the Earl of Derby, famously purchased for the price of ten (10) guineas a trophy bearing his name for presentation to the amateur hockey champions of Canada. Ever since, the Stanley Cup has become the symbol of professional hockey supremacy and is currently awarded to the champion of the National Hockey League playoffs. As Lord Stanley died in 1908, his autograph is usually absent from even the most complete of Hall of Fame collections. A chance to add hockey's most famous name to your advanced collection, offered here is this letter that has handwritten letter that has been signed by the Stanley Cup namesake. Measuring roughly 7" x 9" in size, the two (2) paged letter has been penned entirety in Stanley's hand. Succeeding his brother Edward as the 16th Earl of Derby in 1893, the year in which he left Canada and returned to England, Stanley, now simply know as "Lord Derby", has elegantly signed the letter with his "Derby" signature and has dated the letter at the top of the first page with the date of April 21st of 1907, shortly after the ECAHA's Montreal Wanders claimed the Cup back from the clutches of the MPHL's Kenora Thistles. Of note, Stanley would sign his name as "Derby" from his appointment in 1893 until his own passing in 1908, a little over a year after he had penned the piece being offered. In overall very nice condition with the penmanship still vivid despite its age of over 110 years, the letter displays with expected fold lines and some toning/small stains as well as punched holes along the top for filing purposes. A Classic Auctions LOA will accompany the piece.
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