Historical Hockey Memorabilia Auction Fall 2012
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/30/2012
Julian Hedworth George Byng, 1st Viscount Byng of Vimy, was a British Army officer who served as Governor General of Canada and who, along with his wife, came to love the game of hockey, reportedly rarely missing games played by the NHL’s Ottawa Senators. It was Lady Byng who donated a trophy after admiring the gentlemanly play of Ottawa star Frank Nighbor. After Frank Boucher of the New York Rangers won the award seven times within eight years, Lady Byng was so impressed that she gave him the original trophy to keep and donated a second trophy in 1935–36. As for Lord Byng’s penmanship here, his handwritten letter is from December 5, 1919 and a year and a half before his appointment as Canada’s Governor General. On “United Services Fund” letterhead, it was written to Sir Frederick Milner and discusses controversy about charitable support for ex-servicemen, along with mentioning Milner’s recent bereavement. On the reverse is a note penned by Milner to Major Tudor Craig, which Milner signed. A big flowing “Byng of Vimy” signature concludes Byng’s side of the approximately 7-1/2” by 9-1/2” sheet, which appears trimmed and has fold lines.
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