The 2009 Montreal Centennial Auction
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Sit back and marvel at the forthcoming story, as it will surely impress and excite all goalie/mask enthusiasts and hockey historians. There are not enough adjectives to justly describe this collection, but breath-taking, astonishing and amazing are definitely words that come to mind! Three masks, a plaster mold used to make a mask and marvelously revealing documents, newspaper clippings and photos are offered, combining to make for what many will consider a most significant mask-related collection. The jackpot comes to us from Mr. Bill Birchmore, the inventor of Jacques Plante's early masks, including the one he donned in NHL action for the first time on November 1, 1959. Birchmore was an inventive promotion salesman for Fiberglass Canada Limited in the late 1950s when he took on solving the problem facing hockey goaltenders, notably Jacques Plante, who had suffered numerous injuries to the face. Birchmore believed some type of reinforced fiberglass would stand up to the impact of hockey shots and also felt a molded mask was necessary so that it would hug the face as closely as possible. Plante agreed to see a plastic surgeon for a mold of his facial features in plaster of paris. Then a stronger mold was made of poured gypsum which was then covered with a combination of fiberglass and specially woven cloth. After heat-treatment, the fiberglass mask was removed from the gypsum mold and was ready for testing. Worn in practice, Plante's first mask saw game action after the goalie was cut by an Andy Bathgate shot in that historic game in New York in 1959. A stellar performance by Plante in ensuing games dispelled all notions that it hindered his vision. In a letter from Birchmore to Montreal sportswriter Elmer Ferguson, the inventor explains how Plante found the original too hot and a little too heavy. That's when Birchmore decided to try the bar type mask which turned out very successful, with Plante switching to that type in early January of 1960. One of the masks offered here is an early Birchmore bar mask that features "thin" bars, but that was deemed too light by Plante and eventually led to the other caramel-colored production with thicker bars. The red-painted mask, according to Birchmore's son, is one made for Montreal Royal netminder Gerry McNeil, who became, during the same 1959-60 season, the first goaltender in the EPHL to acquire a mask for regular league games. Also included with the three masks, is a plaster mold (most of the nose, part of the chin and right cheek have broken off), and numerous intriguing documents. Several deal with Birchmore's patent applications and include an extensive 15-page explanation of how the bar mask was produced, along with diagrams. Although Birchmore estimated the cost of producing Plante's original mask at $300, there are copies of separate invoices in the sum of $75 that were sent to Plante and McNeil. A great 8" by 10" photo captures Plante in street clothes and sporting his original mask. Snapshots of one of Birchmore's early bar masks, dozens of newspaper articles showing Plante and other goalies wearing masks, and other entertaining reading is contained in two scrapbooks. Finally, the conclusion of a letter from Birchmore to Elmer Feguson sums up the history of the Plante masks. It reads "Enclosed you will find some clippings from various media which I hope clarifies who really invented the first form fitting fiberglass mask. Naturally if it had not been for Jacques this invention would be gathering dust somewhere instead of preventing facial injuries to goaltenders." Extraordinary material is being offered to the hobby for the first time and will be exceptional additions to a Hall of Fame mask display and collection. Serious bidders are welcome to call to discuss these tantalizing treasures. Will come with a letter of authenticity from the Birchmore family.
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