This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 6/12/2023.
The New York Americans, the second NHL expansion team to play in the United States, have quite the exciting history despite only being in operation from 1925-42. In 1925, the franchise was awarded to Bill Dwyer, who was infamous in New York as the city's most-celebrated Prohibition bootlegger. Widely regarded as one of the most elegant designs of early hockey, the Amerks vaunted sweater as seen here contains scores of attractive vintage design elements. The white wool sweater was manufactured by Alex Taylor & Co. in New York, exhibiting evidence of that by the tagging on the inside of the tail. The chest logo consists of a three-color felt and remains in absolutely marvelous presentational condition. Verso numbers are constructed of red on blue felt to read the number "10". Both front and verso include an arched line of blue felt stars that have been sewn to the garment. This garment was worn by the Hall of Fame defenseman Harry Oliver near the end of his career, making this one of his last shirts that he wore as a professional. Dating from the 1935-36 season, this garment remains in exceptional condition with great signs of use in the form of some great team repairs, especially in the sleeves. There is also some staining to the jersey front to the area just above the team insignia. Furthermore, one of the stars at verso has been damaged. With only 22 games played the following season in 1936-37, this may well be the last jersey that the Hall of Famer wore in the NHL. The Amerks played their final game in 1942, folding under the pressures felt by the Second World War. The exceptional wool provided here is the finest example of this rarity that we have seen, complete with Hall of Famer appeal. Provenance is air-tight as this jersey comes directly from the estate of Harry Oliver when Danny Oliver, his nephew, came into a Vancouver show in the mid-1990s and sold five jerseys to a Toronto dealer. Accompanied by a LOA from MeiGray.