Historical Hockey Memorabilia Auction Spring 2020
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/16/2020
Clark Gillies wore this very desirable jersey as the New York Islanders celebrated their first Stanley Cup win in 1980 after defeating the Philadelphia Flyers on home ice in 6 games. Complete with champagne stains from the post-game celebration, this remarkable piece of hockey history exhibits great use, and it’s been both photo (three different) and video matched, including to the Cup-clinching Game 6! After spending 49 minutes in the penalty box during the regular season, Gillies was assessed a total of 63 penalty minutes in 21 playoff games as he imposed his law on the Islanders’ opponents as the team’s policeman. He also contributed 6 goals and 10 assists towards New York’s first of four straight championships, as he ushered in the age of the power forward. This outstanding white mesh jersey features the colorful and coveted Lake Placid 1980 Olympics patch sewn onto the right shoulder which was worn by the three New York state teams during the 1979-80 season. There are six team repairs and great board burns on the sleeves. The Size 52 white mesh jersey has its original Goodman and Sons and Bill Vanderburgh Company tags sewn onto the back of the neck. A true gem for Islanders and Stanley Cup collectors, jerseys photo-matched to the Stanley Cup finals are extremely rare, especially specimens worn by HOF players while representing important inaugural franchise championships. A signed letter of authenticity from Clark Gillies will accompany.
It should also be noted that the jersey currently has a fragrant smell, possibly from being sprayed with Febreze to cover the scent of tobacco smoke. Regarding the important photo-matches, Getty Image #83061045 (May 1980 Stanley Cup Finals) has been matched to the uneven alignment of the lower portion of the white mesh just below the large team repair, and to the black mark showing in the lower white stripe going into the orange stripe located on the lower right of the aforementioned team repair. Next, Getty Image #51716466 (May 24, 1980 Stanley Cup Finals cup-clinching Game 6 – image showing Gillies holding the Stanley Cup) has been matched to the washed-out black mark located to the left of the team crest (about 3" and starting at the height of the "SL" of Islanders). This image is also matched to the number "9" on the right sleeve which is showing perfect placement of the blue twill over the orange, the perfect size/placement of the two rectangles in the middle of the "9" and the varying matching width of the orange twill encompassing the blue. The photo also shows the uneven placement of the blue striping band over the right side seam, where the lower white stripe joins. Lastly, an included numeric image showing Gillies embracing Paul Holmgren at the conclusion of the finals has been matched to the blue paint transfer and small hole visible to the right of the Olympic patch on the right shoulder.
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