Historical Hockey Memorabilia Auction Winter 2014
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/25/2014
From the world's most extensive and finest encapsulated pre-war hockey card collection comes this dazzling ensemble which stars some three dozen men who were considered among the most prominent players over a century ago and who helped write the fascinating history of early professional hockey. Imperial Tobacco issued the little cardboard treasures with cigarettes for the first time in 1910-11, with this group miraculously surviving in almost as-issued form and including some of the finest specimens ever to be examined by the experts at PSA. With deep rich vivid colors and phenomenal eye appeal, the encapsulated bonanza is led condition-wise by a NM-MT 8 example of card #16 picturing Joe Cattarinich, an original Montreal Canadien. The Pop-1 is superior to all of the other 62 similar Cattarinich cards inspected by PSA over the years. The same holds true for the card of hockey immortal Lester Patrick, with stunning card #26 here being deemed worthy of NM+ 7.5 status. Three of the four NM 7 cards present are tied for first place on their respective lines on the PSA Population Report; 10-Harry Hyland (Pop-2), 17-Bruce Stuart (Pop-4) and 19-Jim Jones (Pop-2), while just one other rookie card of 28-Paddy Moran edges the Pop-2 here. The images of early superstars Cyclone Taylor, (#15, Pop-1 with 1 higher) and Didier Pitre, (#23, Pop-1, 3 higher) are inspiring in their PSA holders labeled EX-MT+ 6.5, with 18-Nick Bawlf also a 6.5. There are then (21) cards which merited marks of EX-MT 6, including none-higher-at-PSA examples of 5-Pud Glass, 6-Edgar Dey, 20-Ernie Russell and 25-Art Bernier. Both Art Ross cards and that of the legendary Newsy Lalonde lead the EX-MT 6 contingent, which also includes first-rate examples of fellow Hall-of-Famers Gordon Roberts, Marty Walsh, Tom Dunderdale, Ernie Russell, Jack Laviolette, Riley Hern and Ernie Johnson. Completing are five cards slabbed EX 5, including 1-Frank Patrick and 2-Percy LeSueur and a single VG-EX+ 4.5; 34-Bruce Ridpath. The years-in-the-making labor of love adds up to a riveting masterpiece and a GPA of 6.15, which is second all-time at PSA. Another exceptional accomplishment of our consignor, Mr. Simon Bourque, with all cards considered rookie cards and all images and grades viewable under his "Simgin" moniker on the PSA Set Registry. From the "rookie season" of hockey card collecting which continues to this day as puck enthusiasts pursue the cards of their heroes, this is an exceptional, thought-provoking hobby happening.
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