This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/2/2014
The Great One. Those words apply to both the man and this lot: “March 17th, 1990 Wayne Gretzky Los Angeles Kings Game Worn Road Jersey”, gifted to our consignor personally by Pat Croce, Philadelphia Flyers trainer at the time.
The jersey has been authenticated both by Troy R. Kinunen of MEARS and the industries hockey leader, Rich Ellis.
Jersey was supplied by Maska. The style of the tag is correct for the era. Both the supplier and style of the tag is correct.
The jersey features a double Velcro patch measuring 2 ½” x ¾” stacked on each other, this is consistent with other Gretzky jerseys examined by Rich Ellis.
Gretzy’s uniform number “99” contains the proper embroidery and is stitched with the correct zig-zag sewing pattern to the outer edges of the swatch. Ellis has supplied a photo of another “99” tag from a recently found photo matched Gretzky and both are identical down to the sewing blemishes.
This jersey has the “fight strap”. It has been documented that often Gretzky removed the fight strap, but according to Ellis, authentic examples of the intact fight strap have been examined.
Regarding game use, albeit light, it is visible and can be explained as follows:
According to the evaluation provided by Ellis,
“The jersey shows absolutely no washing what so ever. Numbers, name, everything is crisp. The only type of use on the jersey is on the white stripe directly below the crest, a light pinkish red stain. On the left sleeve just above the number and around it is the same pinkish red stain. It is a liquid stain of some type, possible Gatorade from the bench? Or storage stain or locker room stains.”
Ellis goes on to surmise:
“It’s from the locker room. It’s from the Kings. It may have been worn for one game, or even one period for sure, one can argue it, but cannot prove it (due to lack of overall wear). Based on the degree of wear, the jersey appears to be game issued / possible one game of use or wear. “
When Troy R. Kinunen of MEARS independently reviewed the wear, he was in an agreement with Rich Ellis’s assessment. Kinunen stated, “I see signs of very light handling wear which may be associated with packing/unpacking, handling in the Locker room, or possible one game use.”
Both authenticators are in agreement that the jersey is exactly what Wayne Gretzky wore on the ice during the late 1989-90 season.
Per our consignor, Pat Croce gifted him the jersey as appreciation for some electrical work done for him. Our consignor had a clear recollection that Croce stated the jersey was game worn by Wayne Gretzky. While serving as a physical trainer for the Philadelphia Flyers, Croce asked and received this jersey from Gretzky.
The research by Ellis while comparing the visual traits of the jersey dated this jersey to the late portion of the 1989-90 season. The Double CCM with NHL shield was worn late in the 1989-90 season. Most of the season the Kings wore the double CCM with no NHL shield. The exact date of the switch is unknown at this time. The Kings were on the road for the March 17th, 1990 game vs. the Boston Bruins and the March 18th, 1990 game vs. the Flyers. Gretzky did not play during the March 18th game at Philadelphia, so it is theorized since the team was traveling, there was no need to wash the jersey. This supports our consignor’s recollection, lack of laundering, and the time line schedule of when the Kings had the opportunity to play the Flyers in Philadelphia.
Final Grade (MEARS A10, One game usage): Based on a review by Ellis/Kinunen, the jersey is consistent with respect to style, manufacturer, numbering, and tagging as expected to be found on a game worn Gretzky jersey. Per the provenance and the timeline provided, the use is being evaluated as a one game, and is appropriate for a jersey that was intended to be gifted. Game wear is supported mainly by the accompanying provenance and the bidder’s confidence in the jersey’s history relies heavily on that document. LOA Rich Ellis, LOA Troy R. Kinunen / MEARS
(60N0181)
(MEARS Auction LOA; JSA Auction Letter)