The 2009 Montreal Centennial Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/24/2009
Stirring program from Montreals 1889 Winter Carnival, a week-long event where Frederick Arthur Stanley, donator of hockeys most famous trophy, witnessed his very first hockey game! A few months after arriving in Ottawa in June of 1888 after being appointed Governor General of Canada, the 48-year old Stanley, (who was a keen sportsman), and his entourage were invited to the seventh annual Montreal Winter Carnival. The official programme lists the dates, and then reads Under the distinguished patronage of Their Excellencies THE GOVERNOR GENERAL and THE LADY STANLEY OF PRESTON. The Afternoon schedule for the first day, Monday, February 4th, begins Arrival of Their Excellencies the Governor General and The Lady Stanley of Preston. That evening Lord Stanley got to see his first ice hockey game, the evening program including Hockey Matches at the Victoria Skating Rink. The game pitted two of the best teams in Canada, the Montreal Amateur Athletic Association (the first team awarded the Stanley Cup four years later in 1893!) and the Montreal Victorias. An article in the following days Gazette newspaper described the Vics 2-1 victory over the A.A.A. as one of the finest exhibitions of the Canadian national winter game and reported that Lord Stanley expressed his great delight with the game of hockey and the expertise of the players. The Stanleys, including the two sons and two daughters who accompanied them to Canada in 1888, all became hockey fans and participants following their Montreal winter carnival experience. The Ottawa Rideau Hall Rebels included Arthur and Edward Stanley, with their famous dad coming up with the idea to give a cup to recognize Canadas top hockey team. Back to the phenomenal program, it measures 5 by 7 3/4, and sadly, is missing the front and back cover. We do have color photocopy of the originals and we will provide these as reproductions to go along with this important piece. Also included is an ancient two-fold event schedule and program from the 1887 Montreal Winter Carnival held at the Ice Palace. The hockey matches listed inside, held on February 7th and 11th were played by the member teams of Canadas first organized hockey league formed on December 8th, 1886. The program is missing one of its three sections but does include all of the events with the hockey match times noted. Early hockey history here!
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