A Century of Memories Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/8/2009
The late Carleton McDiarmid's passion for collecting hockey-related Christmas cards yielded a formidable collection indeed, with this jaw-dropper presenting hobbyists with a sensational opportunity, along with a chance for us to recount the fascinating and tragic story of "Bashin' Bill" Barilko. The defenceman from northern Ontario earned his nickname for his hard body checks after being called up to the Toronto Maple Leafs by Conn Smythe toward the end of the 1946-47 season, following a recommendation by Tommy Anderson, Barilko's veteran defence partner with the Hollywood Wolves of the Pacific Coast Hockey League. Traveling from California in planes, trains, and automobiles, Barilko arrived in Toronto and went on to help the Leafs to four Stanley Cup victories in five years. The legend of Barilko grew after the strapping and popular blueliner scored the Cup-winning goal in overtime in game five of the 1951 Stanley Cup finals against Montreal, in what was to be the last game he ever played. The hero went missing on a summer fishing trip, never to be seen again. Search party after search party came back from the James Bay area without a trace of the small plane he and a companion were in. The wreck was finally discovered in January of 1962, a few months before the Leafs won their first Cup since Barilko's famous goal 11 years earlier! Barilko's bold, near perfect signature, in turquoise-y blue ink, along with his wavy hair and toothy smile highlight this 4-1/4" by 5-1/2" Christmas card. There are some creases to mention, but none affecting Bashin' Bill's image, as well as glue residue and evidence of scrapbook removal, on the otherwise blank back. Truly a dazzling treasure that will delight the lucky high bidder.
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