Historical Hockey Memorabilia Auction June 2018

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Lot #970: Wayne Gretzky's 1978 Game-Worn Alternate Captain's Jersey from the OHA All-Star Game - Earliest Known Gretzky Jersey! - Photo-Matched!

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/20/2018



A sign of things to come with a six-point night during his very first Junior “A” game for the Soo Greyhounds, Wayne Gretzky was only 16 at the time, playing against teens two and three years his senior, with the 1977-78 OMJHL season concluding with Wayne breaking the previous rookie points record of 137. That season would also see Wayne make his first of many appearances for Team Canada, and while considered to small to even make the National Team, Wayne led the World Junior tournament in scoring and was named the top center. Interestingly, Wayne was also able to maintain his lead in the OHA scoring race despite a month off playing with the Juniors. An appearance at the 1978 OHA All-Star Game was next for the wunderkind, with Wayne netting a hat trick in what would serve as his first major All-Star showcase, playing on a line with later Kings’ linemate Jimmy Fox (mentioned in “99 My life in Pictures" by Gretzky with John Davidson 1999).



Hailing from the 1978 OHA All-Star Game, we have the very jersey Wayne Gretzky wore in the contest, and excitedly, it’s been photo-matched! A laundering label with “40” sizing sits affixed to the collar, with an inventory number of “984.12.1.” on a swatch placed directly underneath. Styled with “Ontario” arching over the chest in individual white twill letters, four stars have been affixed over the upper front and reverse in matching material, along with “9” over verso. There is also a Major Junior patch over the upper left sleeve, along with an OHA crest over the upper right. Threading has been left from the removed alternate’s “A”, with faint signs of a former nameplate over the reverse - with photographic evidence confirming Gretzky wore a nameplate. The nameplate and “A” were most likely removed for the garment to see recycled use in future All-Star Games. Sporting a stick mark across the “R” and “I” of “Ontario”, the vintage durene V-neck exhibits some minor pilling over the lower front and sleeve cuffs, with small holes near each elbow. We should also note wear/fading to the OHA and Junior A sleeve crests, along with a couple rust-coloured stains over the reverse beneath the numbers.



An included numeric image has been matched to; the placement of the removed alternate captain's "A", the line of 9 sewing threads visible on the left side of the collar with each matched in position and length, the long loose bundled-up white thread on the far left star over the front, the dark mark over the OHA crest on the left sleeve and the white thread on the middle left tip of the crest.



A hobby rarity on par with some of the most important hockey sweaters extant, this highly desirable specimen’s status is instantly augmented not only by the paramount photo-matches, but by the fact that it serves as THE EARLIEST KNOWN GAME-WORN GRETZKY JERSEY EVER OFFERED. An LOA from Classic Auctions will accompany, and please take note that this item may be subject to a silent reserve.

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