The wait has been long enough.

Watch the following video to find out about the amazing collection we'll be auctioning next spring and most importantly, the story behind it.



Many collectors already know Shawn Chaulk from Alberta, probably the biggest Wayne Gretzky collector in the world.  In this video, you will learn...

So, we did it again. We knew that our Winter Auction was going to be a great one as soon as we saw the quality of items lined up in our office. There was no doubt; the hobby would be amazed once again by every single item offered in this auction. And last Tuesday, it all happened. Collectors were amazed and recognized the level of quality that Classic Auctions is now offering on a steady basis. We are proud of the experience we provide for collectors as well as consignors and we appreciate the trust we get from the hobby. Our team works very hard all year long to make sure every single detail is as perfect as it can be. The final results speak by themselves; our winter auction was our best auction since we established a Guinness World Record...

Think about it.

Where else would you be able to get 12 high quality limited edition art prints autographed by 12 of the most memorable Montreal Canadiens former players?

The opportunity is unique and offered to you right now.  Only 875 in total were produced with the majority already sold.

And on top of this, this sensational limited edition piece of collection could be, under certain conditions, hand delivered by M. Yvon Lambert himself!

Based on huge 5' x 4' original paintings by Montreal painter Pierre Pivet, these unique paintings are reproduced on 18 inches x 24 inches digital prints on high quality Arches paper with pigmented inks for at least 100 years of conservation. In addition, they are autographed by the players, authenticated and signed by the artist Pierre Pivet.

Delivered in a red velvet professional presentation box with a gold touch, this is certainly...

The Fall 2012 offering at Classic Auctions in nearing it's curtain call. You only have until October 30th to get your bids in.

Bidding will get fast and furious in the remaining days, and nowhere will that be more obvious than in the Wayne Gretzky/Edmonton Oilers collection. The Great One remains the most sought after hockey player in the memorabilia market. Yet there appears to be a number of real bargains available this time around.

 



The most sought after item is Wayne Gretzky's game-used stick from the 1984 Canada Cup....

There is no more personal connection to hockey history than literally owning a piece of it. Sticks are always popular, but nothing is more cherished than a game-worn jersey. To have such an intimate keepsake - the identifying sweater complete with blood, sweat and maybe even tears - of your favorite player from a truly special night is about as special as it gets.

Classic Auctions has no shortage of game-worn sweaters and jerseys available...

In the 1980s they renamed the Albertan capital city of Edmonton as "The City of Champions."

Why? From 1978 through 1982 the Canadian Football League's Edmonton Eskimos won five consecutive Grey Cup championships. And then from 1984 through 1990 the National Hockey League's Edmonton Oilers won a total of five Stanley Cup championships.

To say it was a great time and place to be a sports fan is a huge understatement! But could you imagine being a part of both the Warren Moon/Hugh Campbell's green and gold empire and Wayne Gretzky/Mark Messier's blue and orange dynasty? 

That is exactly what the late Dr. Gordon Cameron did. From 1979 through 1993 he was team doctor for both teams and throughout both dynasties. Somehow he still...

 

Classic Auctions is back with a whole new offering for Fall 2012. Over 1200 amazing items are up for bids. Stanley Cup rings, Olympic gold medals and amazing 1972 Summit Series finds are just some of what you will find in this offering.



Let's take a look at some of the key personal collections available.



Cashing In



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In a constant effort to make the Classic Auctions experience as perfect as possible, some important modifications were made to the Closing Procedures.

Read carefully - These are important changes!

The initial bidding period will now close at 10:00 PM (Eastern Daylight Time) on Tuesday.

You must place an initial bid on an item before 10:00 PM on auction closing night to be eligible to bid on that item during the extended bidding period that starts at 10:00 PM. This means that if you have not bid on a particular lot before 10:00 PM you may not bid on that lot after 10:00 PM.

Therefore, if you are the only bidder on a lot at 10:00 PM you will be instantly declared the winner.

After 10:00 PM, the auction will continue until the bids stop coming in for 5 minutes. This rule applies to the entire auction and...

Well, we did it again.  Hard work, quality items and the best clients and collectors in the world led our spring 2012 auction to another blockbuster result:  $1.2 million worth of hockey and sports memorabilia sold!



We all knew this auction was filled with sensational pieces and that some had the potential to once again raise the bar in terms of value.



 

The Peter Pocklington Stanley Cup Championship Ring Collection was on many collectors’ watch list.  The ‘80s were in a major part an Oilers affair and these...

Whether you are a fresh new bidder or not this might be helpful.

When we get closer to the end of an auction, we usually receive many questions regarding the closing procedure and other important points.

We decided to write this post to make sure everyone truly understands Classic Auctions closing procedures.  We chose 5 important things we believe every collector should know before the closing day.

(In order to better visualize the closing process in our auctions, we did an infographic that you will find at the end of this post.)

 

1.    Why does the auction continue after 9pm?

If you are used to bidding on classified/auction websites such as EBay, you probably think that our auctions close at the date and time we advertise.  Well this is not totally true and there is a good reason for...

A few months back we traveled to Prague in a quest for quality consignments from the Czech Republic.  Sitting in our hotel lobby, I was patiently and anxiously looking forward to our meeting with Frantisek Tikal.  When he arrived it was all I could do to contain myself in the hope that what he brought was exactly what I hoped it would be.

Frantisek sat down and told me the story of his grandfather with passion, not to mention the help of a translator! He explained to me in detail how his family managed to keep this prized jersey in his possession. I couldn’t wait to see it but that would have to wait a bit more as it remained in a plastic bag until Frantisek had told his tale.  When the time finally came, it was more than worth the wait. As soon as I laid eyes on this vintage beauty I knew it would be an amazing feature in our spring auction.

The time was now appropriate for Frantisek and his family to offer this beautiful international game-worn jersey to the collecting world.  And Classic Auctions was the auction house he trusted to promote it.

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Graded cards are becoming one of the highest sought after collectibles and we wanted to make sure that card collectors would be happy with our spring 2012 auction, so we went all the way. 

We have the Ultimate Rookie Card Collection.



Highlighted by the highest Howie Morenz rookie card ever graded (PSA 6), an amazing Terry Sawchuk RC, a splendid Maurice Richard RC and a breathtaking Jean Beliveau RC,...

 Photo-matching a game-worn jersey is probably the most solid way to prove its authenticity.

Featured in our spring 2012 auction is an incredible Guy Lafleur 1972-73 Montreal Canadiens Game-Worn Jersey that we were able to photo-match to numerous characteristics.  We have to say, this is certainly the most amazing Guy Lafleur Montreal Canadiens uniform we have ever had the opportunity to handle and the match realized is: SOLID.

Please watch a short video explanation of the match for this sensational jersey that is...

If you’re older than a teenager, there’s no need for me to explain this article’s title.  So, for every teen or child reading this, here’s what I mean. Kirk McLean stood up for his team for two reasons.

Reason #1

The two-time Vezina trophy finalist was a heck of a goaltender who led the Canucks to the playoffs seven times, including a breathtaking trip in 1994 to the seventh game of the Stanley Cup final. A two-time All-Star to boot, what more is there to say?

Before we move to reason #2, please enjoy the following clips from the 1994 Stanley Cup Finals.  Here’s a hint for reason #2: Pay attention to the kick saves in the second clip.

 

Reason #2

Kirk Mclean was a stand-up goalie. ...

The number 9 is a strong number.

On top of being considered a good number, number 9 is a highly symbolic one in the Chinese culture. Ancient Egypt, the European culture, the Greek Mythology, the Japanese Culture and many others all have their special relationship with the number 9 all for different reasons.

In baseball, it is the number of innings in a regulation, non-tied game.  It is also the number of players on the field including the pitcher.  Number 9 jerseys were retired in honor of Ted Williams, Roger Maris, Reggie Jackson and a few others.

There is no need to defend the fact that the number 9 is also symbolic in the hockey culture and we all know why.  Johnny Bucyk, Lanny McDonald, Bobby Hull, Glen Anderson, Clark Gillies, Andy Bathgate, Adam Graves, Ted Kennedy, Charlie Conacher, Maurice Richard and Gordie Howe ...

Can you imagine what it would have been like to room with the legendary Howie Morenz and swap stories with the Montreal Canadiens superstar in his heyday? How would it have felt to be a member of the Habs’ first back-to-back Stanley Cup championship teams in the early 1930s, or to share the blueline with Sylvio Mantha and contribute to George Hainsworth’s incredible goaltending records?

Well, Marty Burke lived it all.

Martin Alphonsos Burke was born in Toronto on January 28, 1905 and started his NHL career with the Canadiens in 1927 at the age of 22.  He soon became a solid piece of the Habs’defensive squad and clearly exemplified the team’s “Little Men of Steel”nickname.  Marty was small, solid and fearless.  Though nearly 100 pounds lighter than Zdeno Chara, he could shutdown a runaway train without a...

Larry Berman started his impressive Ottawa Senators collection back in 1996 and the Senators (not the NHL founding franchise obviously) made their first post-season appearance in 1996-97.

Call it a coincidence? Probably, but it’s certainly not a coincidence if the Larry Berman Ottawa Senators Collection is so amazing and extensive; Mr. Berman is a real Senators fan.

Offered in our upcoming spring 2012 auction, Mr. Berman’s collection features

5 great early Sens related memorabilia (see photos and descriptions below)

30 Ottawa Senators game-worn jerseys including 3 from the inaugural season and 1 from the Stanley Cup Finals

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Spring 2012 auction is just around the corner. Are you ready?

The impressive Lafleur jersey has been held privately, out of the gaze of the hobby, since the 1970s when a father, and Habs fan, obtained it through a friend with ties with the Montreal Canadiens organization and gifted it to his son, our consignor. Without a doubt, this is the most amazing Guy Lafleur Montreal Canadians uniform we have ever had the opportunity to handle and it will be part of our spring 2012 auction.  A special presentation with more info will be available soon.

Our upcoming spring auction is once again filled with incredible items (on top of the Lafleur jersey!) presented in more than 25 different categories including the ever popular ones like Game-Worn Jerseys and Equipment, Vintage Sports & Non-Sports Cards and Premiums, Vintage Hockey Autographs,...

When I look at the following facts I wonder: What will happen if Sid the Kid’s latest comeback proves unsuccessful? What if he were unable to play anymore?

Sidney Crosby’s 2006-07 game-worn jersey sold for $9,384 in our last auction, which ended in February (there was no comeback on the horizon at that time)

Prior to last (Thursday) night, Sid The Kid had only played eight games over the previous 14 months

Crosby ranked No. 1 on the latest Hockey News Top 50 Players list as voted by his peers

Sidney made his second comeback of the season last (Thursday) night at Madison Square Garden.  He had an assist, won more than 50% of his faceoffs, played 16 minutes and finished the game at plus 3.  The red-hot Penguins knocked off the second-ranked Rangers, 5-2.

He has 13 points and is a plus 10 in nine...

As soon as I walked into the hallway of the Windsor Hotel and saw the sign commemorating the foundation of the National Hockey League right there in one of the hotel’s restaurants, I knew it was going to be a great evening.

The All-Star Event was a charity fundraiser for the Vladislav Tretiak and Max Pacioretty Foundations.  The event took place last Friday February 3rd, and Classic Auctions was there.

The evening helped raise a total of more than $100,000.  The event allowed more than 500 guests to meet numerous hockey legends and active players including Vladislav Tretiak, Max Pacioretty, Alex Ovechkin, P.K. Subban, Lars Eller, and Peter Budaj, among others.  All were real gentlemen and true pros.

I have never met Mick Jagger or any other rock star, but I can now say that I've met Alex Ovechkin.  Does that count? I was backstage when Ovechkin arrived at the event and it really felt like a rock star's entrance.  I honestly don’t know how a player like that would be able to play for the Montreal Canadiens.  The Habs might not have a large enough security budget!

...

When we did our Top 10 Most Expensive Jerseys sold by Classic Auctions a couple of weeks ago, we unfortunately missed 3 important jerseys that should have been included.

Here is an updated version of the impressive list of game-worn jerseys sold by Classic Auctions over the last 15 years.  We decided to keep the original list and simply add the three jerseys we had left out.  We now have a Top 13!  All of them were sold for more than $45,000 us.

1. Paul Henderson "The Goal" 1972 Canada-Russia Series Game-Worn Jersey

Price realized: $1,275,707 us

Auction: June 2010

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Alex Ovechkin is an intense player.  Who would disagree with that?

If you haven’t really taken the time to watch a Washington Capitals game, then you may only know Alex Ovechkin as that guy who scores a ton of goals.  But seriously, I don’t think that I have ever seen a player with such a presence on the ice.  With those bright yellow laces on his skates, Ovechkin just seems to be flying out there!  Watching him fall to his knees but then get back up with the puck still cradled on his stick before firing off a wrist shot at lightning speed is just amazing.  I’m pretty sure that his backhand is harder than my slap shot.

What I find incredible about Alex is his passion for the game, his intensity.  And these days, intensity in hockey often manifests itself in the form of body checks.  The NHL’s first overall pick in the 2004 draft is not known for backing...

Game-worn jerseys are not made of gold and diamonds.  Most of the time, they are in a pretty bad shape.  Sometimes they even smell bad… but they are still one of the most wanted collectibles out there.

Jersey collectors know that when you are buying a game-worn jersey, you are actually buying the feeling that the player had when he wore it on the ice.  You are buying the emotions.  You are buying the impregnated sweat and blood that reflects what it means to play professional sports.  And some jerseys have more to say.

Here’s a list of the 10 most expensive game-worn jerseys ever sold in a Classic Auctions’ online auction.



1.      Paul Henderson "The Goal" 1972 Canada-Russia Series Game-Worn Jersey

Price realized:      $1,275,707 us

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Want to know how one collects such a great quantity of quality items?

That’s exactly what we asked Scott Peters from Vancouver, who gave us the immense pleasure of handling the sale of his comprehensive collection of historic hockey publications.  Please read further for the interview.

Perhaps the most complete and significant collection of its kind in existence, it includes programs and tickets from nearly every Stanley Cup Final between 1926 and 1972, most of them from the Cup winning game; All Star Game programs from 1948 to 1979; rare guides and yearbooks; early hockey magazines; programs and tickets from dozens of historic and record setting NHL games; championship team autographed programs; vintage scrapbooks and more.

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