A former Boston Garden employee has consigned several decades-old game-worn Boston Bruins jerseys that are part of the current Heritage Auctions catalog, including a new addition to the known number of Bobby Orr jerseys in the hobby.
The six jerseys—five gamers and one game-issued experimental mesh jersey that was to have been used by Orr—are in the company’s current auction, set to close this Sunday. There’s also an Orr game-model stick from the 1970s.
The Orr jersey dates to the 1970-71 season, when he won his second of three consecutive Hart Memorial Trophies as the NHL’s Most Valuable Player, and his fourth of eight consecutive James Norris Trophies as top defenseman. Orr’s 102 assists led the league. Both that figure, and his 139 points for 1970-71, were his career highs.
The jersey shows obvious game use, with stick and slash marks, board burns, board paint transfer, stitch pops and over two dozen team-sewn repairs. It’s been photo-matched to use during that season and appears to be on its way to realizing $100,000 or more.
A jersey donned by fellow Hall of Famer Phil Esposito during his spectacular 1973-74 season was also part of the consignment. Esposito swept the NHL’s awards that season, winning the Hart Memorial (NHL MVP), the Ted Lindsay (Most Outstanding Player) and the Art Ross (top points scorer with 68 goals).
It, too, shows heavy use and has been matched to images from that season. The name on the back of the jersey, worn for televised games, has been removed. The front carries the “A” for “assistant captain” at upper chest, and the “Bruins 50th Anniversary” patches are still attached at each shoulder.
It’s expected to sell for more than $15,000.
No Bruin in franchise history has scored more goals than the 545 accumulated by Hall of Fame left wing John Bucyk. One of his jerseys, dating to the 1966-67 season, is also attracting bidder interest.
It includes his “C” patch as the Bruins’ captain and has eight team repairs, according to authentication paperwork, as well as stick marks, board burns, paint and other markings from use.
It’s expected to sell for $15,000 or more.
A 1960s Bob Woytowich jersey and one used by Gilles Gilbert in the mid-1970s join the 1975-76 Orr stick and ’72-73 game issued jersey in the auction.
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