The 2009 Montreal Centennial Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/24/2009
Hockey royalty. If the sport were a monarchy it surely would have been ruled by Jean Beliveau, the greatest ambassador the game has ever known. Bobby Hull recently told a story from early in his playing career. Hull had got his elbows up while checking Beliveau, who followed up with a withering reply that shamed the Black Hawks star. Bobby, he said very slowly, Im very disappointed in you. A true gentleman, Beliveau turned down an offer to become Governor General as the Queens representative in Canada following his retirement as a Montreal Canadiens executive in order to spend more time with his family. Thats not to say the 10-time Stanley Cup champion didnt play rough when he had to. In fact, Beliveau led the NHL with 143 penalty minutes in the 1955-56, the same year he won the Art Ross and Hart trophies as the leagues leading scorer and MVP. Opponents quickly learned to take the high road in dealing with Le Gros Bill, whose elegant demeanor comes shining through in this outstanding 19 x 26 portrait by Bernard Pelletier. Beliveau has signed the image along with the renowned Quebec artist. This gorgeous work of art is beautifully mounted in black matte with gold piping in a solid black and gold wood 29 x 36 frame. A fitting homage to one of the most elegant and graceful players in hockey history.
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