Historical Hockey Memorabilia Auction Winter 2019
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/26/2019
Beginning as a Class A club in the Eastern League in the late-19th century, the Montreal Royals later became members of the International League, serving as the top farm club of the Brooklyn Dodgers starting in 1939. Jackie Robinson would make his professional debut in a Royals uniform in 1946, with a number of additional noteworthy players suiting up in Montreal including Don Drysdale, Duke Snider, Tommy Lasorda, Roberto Clemente and others. Extremely rare and the first we have ever handled and from the pennant and Governor's Cup-winning season of 1951, we have a Montreal Royals jersey attributed to pitcher Chris Van Cuyk. Rawlings and Lord’s Sport Shop labels are affixed to the collar, along with “44” sizing and a “Dry Clean Only” tag, with “51” chain-stitched over the left front tail. Featuring “Royals” in attractive script across the upper chest in royal blue felt, “22” appears over the verso in matching material, with blue satin piping also utilized over the sleeves, collar and down the front lapels. A pair of Royals uniform pants from 1953 is also included.
Surviving in gorgeous condition, the off-white garment remains supple, with no obtrusive wear or damage whatsoever to the identifiers, i.e. the Royals team crest and reverse numbers. The labeling all remains tightly affixed, with just the very bottom button missing. A few loose threads are visible over the reverse along with a tiny bit of blue staining near the center, with a single small rust-coloured stain over the left breast and some dirt staining over the waist. The uniform pants are also off-white, with matching blue piping, with what appears to be the original blue stretch leather and canvas belt. A matching Rawlings label is affixed to the waist with “34” sizing, with a “53” year swatch placed directly above. “20” has also been handwritten in black marker, with “Hoak” twice-written and faded. As mentioned, the jersey has been attributed to Chris Van Cuyk, with the pitcher wearing #22 in 1951 for the Royals, he also appeared that season for the Dodgers. The possibility exists that the jersey was recycled for further use, with pitchers wearing the #22 for the Royals to include; Bill Samson in 1952, Ed Roebuck in 1953 and Joe Carbonaro in 1954. Regarding the uniform pants, Don Hoak played for the Royals in 1952 and 1953 wearing the #5. The #20 was worn by pitcher Robert Ludwick in both 1953 and 1954. The pants may have been worn by one and/or both of these players but this we are unable to confirm, and it should be further noted that they may have been worn by other players as well.
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