Historical Hockey Memorabilia Auction Fall 2020
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/20/2020
George Springate’s stirring and thought-provoking collection here has several highlights, led by a trio of original artwork signed by Aislin, one of the most renowned and influential cartoonists in English Canada. “Aislin’s Cross Hatch” is from 1970, while one featuring Robert Bourassa is also signed by the then Quebec Premier in bold black marker, preceded by “You are too valuable to trade.” Upon Springate’s end of three terms as a Quebec MNA in 1981, an Aislin piece has George saying “Me? Any Regrets? Only One...I Wish I’d Combined my Talents as a Cop, a Football Player and a Politician...and Kicked Camille Laurin in the Nuts!” Please see our website for further details...and laughs – this is a captivating ensemble.
The aforementioned Bourassa/Aislin piece mentions Bourassa’s Liberals having Claude Wagner and Yvon Dupuis go to other parties, Daniel Johnson’s son showing support for the Parti Quebecois and René Levesque’s brother heading to the “Creditistes”, with Bourassa asking “Any Takers for George Springate?” George’s firm stance on language issues (he voted against his own party’s Bill 22) had him at odds with Bourassa, with a 1974 cartoon by Dick Lucas depicting placekicker Springate booting a Bill 22 document at the Premier, the latter ducking behind his desk. The original art is signed “Best Wishes to George Springate – Dick Lucas.” Meanwhile, back in 1970 is when a Len Olson piece was published, with Springate kicking a field goal and his teammates decked-out in military gear. During the October Crisis, Springate was reportedly number four on the FLQ’s hit list and had a bodyguard sit with him on the Montreal Alouettes’ bench, including during the 1970 Grey Cup game, while two armed guards were with him in his apartment after the FLQ murdered Pierre Laporte. An 8” by 10” original photo of George with Pierre Laporte is included in this lot, along with one of George posing with the Grey Cup, joined by his bodyguard Henry Forfellow, a Montreal police officer. One other framed artwork is present; an Al Saunders work that appeared in the Sunday Express in 1981 when Springate left politics. It is signed on the mat surrounding the drawing “George – Keep on Getting Those “Extra Points” Whatever the Field. Best Wishes, Al Saunders.” Three smaller-size pieces are unframed and include a 1970 football-themed piece signed “G. Kopp”, a “Broom-Hilda” comic strip, with the artist writing “Fond Felicitations to George Springate From Russell Myers 1975” and one from le comité de Citoyens pour l’hopital du sud-ouest Montreal. A Montreal Star Weekend Magazine cover is framed and depicts Springate as “The Thundering Champion of English Quebec” sticking it to Bill 22, with a suit and Alouette helmet-wearing George caricature form in another framed magazine depiction. Completing the stash is a Ben Wicks’ Etiquette book, with the title page signed “For George – a gent and mate – Ben Wicks” and an 11” by 14” photo of George with his eyes closed and the caption “Dropkick me, Jesus, Through the goalposts of life...” Springate is in his Montreal office, with some of this framed artwork on the wall in the background – cool. The framed artwork varies in size, with the Bourassa and 1981 Aislin pieces among the largest at 13-1/2" by 22-1/2" and 17-1/2” by 20” respectively. Several possibilities with this momentous collection, with a Letter of Authenticity from the Springate family to be included.
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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