Historical Hockey Memorabilia Auction Fall 2020
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/20/2020
A Stanley Cup champion his first five NHL seasons – a sign of things to come – Henri Richard would also participate in the NHL All-Star Game in each of those victorious seasons, with selection to the First All-Star Team in 1958, followed by selection to the Second All-Star Team in 1959. The 1958-59 NHL season would see The Pocket Rocket register an impressive 51 points in 63 regular-season matches while helping the Canadiens capture first place, with an additional 11 points in the postseason on route to the Habs’ fourth-consecutive title. This historic championship elevated Montreal to being the only club in history to raise Lord Stanley’s coveted cup four-consecutive times. Richard would go on to enjoy one of the greatest careers the sport has ever witnessed - even surpassing his famous brother’s winning ways as a member of 11 Stanley Cup championships as a player… the most in history.
A monumental relic of that epic era in which the mighty Montreal Canadiens completely dominated all competition, icing arguably the greatest team throughout a century of NHL action, this highly desirable and photo-matched Canadiens wool sweater was worn by Richard during the 1958-59 playoffs including the Stanley Cup Finals, and later in the 1959-60 regular season as the Montreal Canadiens were known to start wearing their new set of jerseys beginning in the playoffs, before wearing the set throughout the following regular season. Photographic evidence shows Richard wearing a jersey with the exact same placement of the team crest and sleeve and verso numbers during the 1958-59 playoffs/finals and 1959-60 regular season. It also must be noted that photographic evidence clearly shows that the Canadiens didn't wear numbers on their sleeves in the 1957-58 playoffs or finals, and started to wear sleeve numbers in the 1958-59 season, and wore jerseys with different number placement in the 1959-60 playoffs and finals.
With the original L.J. Parent & Fils label affixed to the collar (a second matching label resides on the inside hem), the desirable wool sweater measures-out over the upper reverse to roughly a modern size 44. Styled with the iconic CH team crest of the sport’s most storied team fully administered in red, white and blue thick layered felt, Richard’s iconic “16” appears over the sleeves in layered tackle twill, while the numbers over the reverse have been constructed of thick felt affixed with a cross-stitch sewing pattern. The collar also features four-eyelet configuration on tie-neck construction. Displaying wonderfully, with the garment’s rich colouration remaining vibrant and with all material supple, there is wear to the felt over the team crest, with no obtrusive dark marks or damage visible. As evidence of prolonged use, there are team repairs present, with specimens over the front (3), reverse (9), shoulders (4) and sleeves (18). There is also pilling to the interior as well as unrepaired holes over the left sleeve and lower reverse, and it should be mentioned that some bleeding has occurred with red and blue colouring to the white striping bands. Regarding the aforementioned photo-match, an included undated numeric image shows the perfect placement of the number "16" on the left sleeve including its placement on the shoulder in correlation with the shoulder seam. The image also shows that the top of the "6" of "16" is more open in its upper area. Additionally, the photo is showing perfect placement of the team crest.
While the mere survival of the offered garment should be celebrated, its status as one of the truly great and historically important sweaters in the entire hobby cannot be overstated. This paramount specimen witnessed use during the greatest NHL dynasty in history, on the back of arguably it’s most celebrated participant. An LOA from Classic Auctions will accompany this thought-provoking treasure.
By clicking this button, you will IMMEDIATELY bid the amount selected.
By clicking this button, you will submit this amount as your MAXIMUM (absentee) bid. The auction software will place bids on your behalf up to this amount only as it is bid against competitively by other bidder(s).