Historical Hockey Memorabilia Auction February 2018
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/27/2018
Exhibiting very little handling and wear is this inviting Topps offering, with EX-MT, EX-MT+ and NM examples outnumbering other grades. Dozens of scratch and scuff-free clean, clean surfaces strike the beholder, with of course, a few intermittent condition issues/exceptions to tell you about. Before we get to those though, we'll start from the top, with NM highlights including 8-Delvecchio, 15-Worsley and 57-Shack, while 32-Hall, 48-Howe in Action and 23-Bucyk are EX-MT, the latter with a slight diamond cut, similar to 63-Howe (EX+). The second-year Bobby Hull card is off-centered and EX, with a top-to-bottom print line (right blue background) and some ink transfer (white background) to be aware of. The Sawchuk is miscut but otherwise EX-MT+, with 65-Kelly also miscut and the first two cards, 1-Nesterenko and 2-Pilote, along with 45-Ullman, inferior at VG. A tiny corner crease render 9-McKenney and 29-Flaman VG+, similar to 6-Lindsay and 66-Murphy. Like we said, some exceptions, but we surmise that the high bidder will enjoy carefully(!) examining this bright stack.
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The Michael Ontkean “1977 Slap Shot” Movie and Hockey Card Collection
“It’s their rink, it’s their ice, it’s their fu**king town. But tonight we got our fans with us!”
- Reggie Dunlop (Paul Newman), Slap Shot 1977
More prophetic words regarding the legacy of the cult classic hockey film have never been spoken. And despite the passing of four decades and a plethora of sub-par hockey and sports films... the fans of Slap Shot have never left.
Yes Reggie, your fans are still with you, and the beloved Charlestown Chiefs.
While both versed-in and blessed-with an endless array of historic and paramount hockey material here at Classic Auctions, some items and collections are special, as are some consignors. We are absolutely thrilled to bring to auction items from the personal collection of legendary actor and Slap Shot star Michael Ontkean! Included we have Michael's screen-worn Slap Shot jersey, gloves worn throughout both filming and his hockey career and numerous vintage hockey card sets collected by the star. We even have hockey gloves that were taken home by John Wayne after filming Idol of the Crowds in 1937 and gifted to Michael in 1975!
Born in Vancouver and coming from an acting family, it’s no surprise that Michael entered the profession as a youth, first appearing on the Canadian show Hudson’s Bay in 1959. Later coming to prominence in the early-1970s TV series The Rookies, Michael was ideal for the role of Ned Braden in Slap Shot, as the especially gifted actor was no slouch on the ice. At the University of New Hampshire, Ontkean played on the Wildcats first line with the same linemates for their entire college year. In their junior year, 1967-68, this trio was the highest scoring line in the nation with 163 points. Ontkean averaged a little better than a-goal-a-game that season (30 goals in 29 games). This goal-a-game pace has only been done a handful of times in the last forty (40) years. Additional acting roles followed in Willie and Phil (1980), The Blood of Others (1984) and Maid to Order (1987), with his role as Sheriff Harry S. Truman in the critically acclaimed 1990 series Twin Peaks especially notable, with fans disappointed that Michael chose not to reprise his role with the 2017 revival of the series.
While the landmark film has never left the public’s consciousness, it’s difficult to contemplate the sheer importance Slap Shot has had on the hockey world at large. Now belonging to the ages, new and enthusiastic generations of young skaters to come will embrace the film, sharing in the rich history of both the game as well as the film’s accurate and comedic depiction of “old-time hockey”.
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