With NHL training camps set to open in less than a month, Classic Auctions has brought some hockey history to market. The company’s September Auction has 1,256 lots dating back more than a century, with game jerseys and special rings from some of the league’s greats, important rookie cards and a special 45-lot section commemorating the 50-year anniversary of the famed Canada-Russia series.
Fans of other sports will also find some never before seen items including a few vintage Super Bowl rings.
Historic items connected to Team Canada’s stirring 1972 comeback victory in the historic “Summit Series” include game-used sticks from Paul Henderson, Phil Esposito and Guy Lapointe, stat and score sheets from the series—some of them presented as framed collections– Marcel Dionne’s “Team of the Century” 14K Gold and diamond ring from his personal collection, a jersey worn by Stan Mikita during that time and a rare Canada-Russia game puck.
The eight-game series was the first competition between the powerful Soviet National Team and a squad of NHL players. As every Canadian fan knows, the USSR built a 3 games to 1 lead (with one tie) before their heroes rallied in Moscow, winning the series 4-3-1.
Among the other top jerseys in the auction are Sid Abel’s 1949 NHL All-Star Game “All-Stars” game worn wool jersey with his signed letter of authenticity and a photo-matched 1974-75 Jean Ratelle New York Rangers jersey from the collection of Barry Meisel, founder of MeiGray.
Card collectors have key sets, singles, lots and unopened material to examine including a 1911-12 Imperial Tobacco C55 Hockey complete set that features ten PSA graded cards Including #4 Malone (PSA 6), #20 Taylor (PSA 6), #31 Ross (PSA 6), #38 Vezina (PSA 4) and #42 Lalonde (PSA 6). There are fully graded sets of 1954-55 and 1962-63 Topps Hockey as well as other pre-and post-War issues.
Among the singles are numerous rookie cards of hockey greats including a 1951-52 Parkhurst Gordie Howe (KSA 6.5), KSA 10 examples of both the O-Pee-Chee and Topps 1979-80 Gretzky cards and a pair of Bobby Orr rookies.
Some modern era Stanley Cup Finals sweaters have already attracted notable interest including a Vincent Damphousse Montreal Canadiens model from 1993 that boasts no fewer than 15 team repairs and one donned by Calgary Flames star Doug Gilmour in 1989 that Classic calls “one of the best Calgary Flames jerseys we have ever offered in our history.”
Fans will also see a jersey from Habs icon Larry Robinson’s 1972-73 rookie season and several game-used items from the collection of Ed Belfour.
More than a dozen championship rings are offered, with collectors having a rare chance to snare a ring presented to one of the members of the NFL’s only unbeaten teams, the 1972 Miami Dolphins. Wide receiver Otto Stowe’s ring is expected to bring a five-figure price.
A 1973 Dolphins Super Bowl ring from running back/ kick returner Charlie Leigh and Derek Loville’s 1998 Denver Broncos championship ring are also featured.
Other rings include those from Murray Wilson (1972-73 Canadiens), Bob Bourne (1981-82 Islanders) and Red Berenson (from titles as coach of the University of Michigan).
Among the other memorabilia featured are more than a dozen lots from the personal collection of racing superstar Jacques Villeneuve including his 1997 Rothmans Williams Renault F1 Team Bell Helmet with a signed LOA.
Villeneuve won the F1 title that season.
The auction runs through September 20 at ClassicAuctions.net.
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