We told you a few weeks ago about a Gordie Howe sweater which was for sale by a Quebec company. He found a buyer.
The firm Classic Auctions, of Delson, carried out the sale during an online auction which ended on February 20. The sweater sold for $173,102 US ($234,000 CA).
It was an American collector who got his hands on the unique piece, a Detroit Red Wings jersey worn by the famous Gordie Howe at the very end of the 1970-1971 season, his last with the Wings.
“The sweater was truly of impeccable quality,” said Classic Auctions founder Marc Juteau.
Pierre-Paul Poulin / Le Journal de Montréal / Agence QMI
Beautiful piece
What made the sweater even more interesting was that its authenticity was proven by multiple photos that revealed various details of the piece, such as a protruding thread or a repair.
It is not every day that it is possible to sell an item over 50 years old with such proof of authenticity.
Marc Juteau therefore expected it to be bought for a nice sum.
“We didn’t really set a goal, but I thought it was achievable to reach that kind of figure. It’s a very good price and the seller is happy.
“With the current market, these are the prices we were aiming for. Since the pandemic, the market has been very strong, there is a new generation of collectors who have arrived on the market.”
Rare
Classic Auctions has already achieved a record sale with the jersey worn by Paul Henderson during the Century Series. It sold for $1.3 million in 2010.
But you shouldn’t think that jerseys sell for more than $100,000 every day.
“We sold a few sweaters around the price of the Gordie Howe one, but it remains one of our good sales,” emphasizes Marc Juteau.
“We don’t sell sweaters by the ton of this value, we have them every once in a while.”
The company founded by Juteau in 1994 specializes mainly in hockey.
“We sell Stanley Cup rings like Mario Tremblay’s last year, rare cards, anything related to hockey. We also sell a few other sports items.”