Historical Hockey Memorabilia Auction February 2016
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/23/2016
It has often been theorized that if not for the terrible trades of Jack Adams in the mid-1950s, the Detroit Red Wings could have garnered a five-Cup dynasty, pre-empting Montreal’s achievement a few years later. This game-used Terry Sawchuk stick has been signed by the Championship 1954-55 Red Wings. With Terry’s original tape on the blade, paddle and knob, there is also white tape under black on the blade, a proper attribute for true Sawchuk gamers. “Sawchuck” is stamped on the upper shaft, with the correct era “Lippman’s Tool Shop” stamps on both sides. 18 pencil signatures have been positioned onto the paddle, including Sawchuk, Howe, Lindsay and Kelly. We should note regarding provenance that the stick was originally gifted by Sawchuk to the head of dermatology at the Mayo Clinic. A JSA LOA for the signatures will accompany this stick.
Notable game-use includes wear to the bottom section of taped blade near the heel, along with puck marks present. The stick is also currently cracked along the blade, but this does not affect the display value as the stick remains very solid and presentable. Helping date the stick are Marcel Bonin, who played 1 game in 1953-54 and all of the season in 1954-55, and Jim Skinner who's first year as the coach was 1954-55. Others who have signed include Delvecchio, Pronovost, Skov, Wilson, Goldham, Woit, Pavelich, Leswick, Reibel, Stasiuk and Bill Dineen. The full provenance of the stick is also worth mentioning, “Sawchuk was having problems that other doctors were unable to resolve. He saw doctors where ever they played hockey. No success. He was finally referred to the Mayo Clinic. Grandfather of previous owner (now deceased) - was head of dermatology at the Mayo Clinic and personally took care of Sawchuk and figured out what was wrong. Sawchuk was so grateful that he gave his grandfather the autographed hockey stick. It was used in the Stanley Cup final and the Wings won the cup. Signed by all members of the Detroit Redwings”.
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