Historical Hockey Memorabilia Auction - June 2009
Ce lot est fermé pour enchérir. Enchère terminée le
Phenomenal and historic black durene jersey, worn by the best defenseman the game has yet to see. Bobby Orr broke into the professional ranks back in 1966-67 when he jumped from the Oshawa Generals up to the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League. Orr quickly made the game his own, winning the Calder as the league's top rookie in 1966-67 and by the close of the 1968-69 season had added two Norris awards to his trophy case. Photos taken at Boston Garden early in 1969-70 show Orr accepting the trophy for best defenseman (the previous year) on the night Phil Esposito was presented with the Art Ross and Hart trophies for his performance over the 1968-69 campaign. This wonderful Wilson knit is conclusively photo-matched to the jersey Bobby is wearing in pictures taken on award night and heavy repair work at the right elbow tells us the jersey had already seen heavy use by that point, most certainly during the 1968-69 season and into the playoffs that same year during home games in Beantown. We also believe Bobby wore the jersey during the first months of the 1969-70 schedule or, at the very least, up until the game following the on-ice award presentations in Boston. Well-washed Wilson tag appears in the collar with very faded size identifier written on it in pen (difficult to distinguish but we believe it to be a 50). The spoked-B crest is done in tackle twill, as is the famous "4" on the back and again on each arm. Tie-front has been split over an inch at the bottom of the v-neck and then repaired by the training staff. We note four stitched team repairs on the left arm, five more on the upper right sleeve with another seven lower down, two more repairs on the front and a large nine-inch repair running down the back. Areas of pilling can be spotted inside and more game use appears in the form of red board paint transfer down near the hem. Comes with three letters of authenticity and provenance including a letter from Alan Eagleson, dated 1976, that states, "This is for your son, John. It is one of the sweaters that Bobby Orr wore while playing for the Bruins." An additional document confirms that this very jersey was displayed at one time in the Canada Sports Hall of Fame. Of course, we will also provide the new owner with digital copies of the photo-matches. Solid provenance, photographic proof and spectacular game wear combine to make this the best Bobby Orr gamer extant! Take notice that this item is subject to a silent reserve which was omitted in the catalogue description.
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).