Historical Hockey Memorabilia Spring 2012
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/12/2012
Commemorating the Detroit Red Wings' very first Stanley Cup championship, this simple gold and diamond story-provoking keepsake was worn proudly by Larry Aurie, referred to by Detroit boss Jack Adams as "the most courageous player, pound for pound, in hockey." One of the smallest, (5'6" and 140 pounds), but toughest players, Aurie earned the nickname of "Little Dempsey" and played his entire 12-year NHL career with Detroit, commencing with the Cougars in 1927-28 and being named captain of the Red Wings in '32-33. Aurie and linemates Marty Barry and Herbie Lewis led the Wings to the regular season title in '35-36 and began the playoffs with the longest game in post-season history, Mud Bruneteau ending the six overtime affair and giving Detroit a 1-0 win over the Montreal Maroons. After sweeping Montreal in three straight, Detroit took care of Toronto in four games in the best-of-five finals, with Pep Kelly scoring the Cup-winner in the 3-2 clincher at Maple Leaf Gardens. Aurie contributed a goal and two assists in those seven playoff battles. Hundreds of Detroiters are reported to have welcomed the Red Wings at the train station when they returned from Toronto, with the city celebrating its third big league championship in just seven months, the Tigers winning the World Series the previous October and the Lions taking the pro football title in December - what a time in Detroit sports history!
Golden bauble here has a simple band, punctuated at the top by a hefty solitaire diamond, (approximately 40 points), with crossed sticks on one shank and the well-worn logo of the Detroit Red Wings on the other. The inner band is engraved with the maker's hallmark, a "14K" marking and the scripted name of the recipient, "Larry Au?" with the tail end of his surname lost to years of wear and light scratches detected upon magnification. The ring is size 10 and was originally acquired from the family of Larry Aurie. The dynamo was the first player to have his sweater number (#6) retired when he called it quits in 1938 and no other was so honored until Gordie Howe over 30 years later. A fatal stroke, suffered while driving in 1952, took Harry Lawrence Aurie to the heavens above at age 47. The lucky high bidder will take his stirring 1936 Stanley Cup ring, with an LOA from Classic Auctions to be included.
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