1990 Wayne Gretzky All-Star Game Worn Jersey....

Description

1990 Wayne Gretzky All-Star Game Worn Jersey. The double-nines will still make the heart skip a beat over a decade after The Great One concluded his storied career. The availability of Gretzky gamers, however, has proven to be inversely proportional to the enormous demand, rarely surfacing on the hobby's auction block. Here we find one of the rarest of them all, the striking sweater worn by hockey's all-time leading scorer at Pittsburgh's Civic Arena on Sunday, January 21, 1990, as captain of the Campbell Conference in the 41st annual NHL All-Star Game.

The event marked the first time in a decade that NBC had televised a hockey game, and likewise the first opportunity for viewers to watch legends Gretzky and Mario Lemieux share a single rink. Only fans of defense could have been disappointed in the action, which provided a record nineteen goals to provide the Wales side with a twelve to seven victory.

The black, red, and white sweater sported by the game's greatest figure exhibits light but definite wear, proper for a single exhibition contest. The jersey front is dominated by an NHL crest and a two-tone tackle twill captain's "C." Number "99" is applied to each sleeve and verso, where "Gretzky" is announced in three-inch block lettering across rear nameplate. Logo patches of the 41st All-Star Game appear at each shoulder. "Maska Air-Knit" manufacturer's logo in collar bears a size "52" handwritten notation and some form of inventory code, "3-B," in black marker. Fight strap remains affixed to interior rear tail. Right sleeve holds an 8/10 black sharpie signature from the sweater's original owner.

An included February 25, 1990 letter on official NHL stationery attests that the jersey "auctioned at the SGMA Super Show in Atlanta, Georgia is authentic and was both worn and signed by Mr. Wayne Gretzky on January 21, 1990 at the 41st Annual NHL All-Star Game in Pittsburgh." A splendid specimen representing the height of rarity and desirability for the serious hockey collector.

Late addition: Hockey expert Bill Campbell informs us that Gretzky wore three jerseys during this contest, and that his third period jersey (along with Mario Lemieux') are on display in the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto. As such, we are able to conclude that this jersey was worn in either the first or second period.

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