1935-36 Harry Oliver Game Worn Jersey. 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 (they played their final season as the Brooklyn Americans). In 1925 the franchise was awarded to Bill Dwyer, who was infamous in New York as the city's most-celebrated Prohibition bootlegger. Playing at Madison Square Garden a full season before the Rangers began play there, the Americans looked to stress the fact that they were representing the United States in a sport dominated by Canadians. Dwyer intentionally stirred up this patriotic sentiment, but it was the Rangers who seemed to capture all the success, winning the Stanley Cup in just their second season of existence.

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 9" tall red-on-blue felt to read "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.

After years of being treated like the little brother of New York City ice hockey, along with the financial troubles brought on by the end of Prohibition, the New York Americans and their owner Dwyer were a team on the way out. Mostly as a result of Dwyer's inability to make ends meet, the NHL seized control of the team after the 1936-37 season. The Amerks played their final game in 1942, folding under the pressures felt by the Second World War. The exceptional wool provided here is one of the finest examples of this rarity that we have seen yet, 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. LOA from MeiGray. Guide Value or Estimate: $25,000 - $30,000.

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