This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/18/2014
Despite only playing 64 games in his injury-plagued 1991-92 season, Mario Lemieux won his third Art Ross Trophy with 131 points and the Penguins swept the Chicago Blackhawks in the Stanley Cup Finals. That year, Lemieux also won his second Conn Smythe Trophy. Widely regarded as one of the greatest players in NHL history, he led Pittsburgh to two consecutive Stanley Cups in 1991 and 1992, the year of this historic jersey. Offered here is a highly significant gamer from that memorable 1991-92 season. As outstanding as the jersey is itself, so is its provenance. John Hamilton obtained this jersey directly from Lemieux in extraordinary fashion. Hamilton was credentialed (as he often was at NHL games) at a 1992 Penguins game. After the game he followed Lemieux into the player’s tunnel and reminded Mario of his long standing request for a jersey. Lemieux removed this shirt and tossed it to John right then and there. Of that moment John fondly recalls that he felt like the kid in the famous Mean Joe Greene Coca-Cola commercial.
This black Penguins jersey has the famed Penguin emblem patch on the front in spectacular gold, black and white embroidery, along with the 75th Anniversary NHL patch affixed on the right chest, "Badger 1931-1991" patch on the left sleeve and the Penguins' "25th Anniversary" patch is on the right sleeve. Lemieux's Captain "C" in black-on-gold tackle twill is on the left breast. The shirt has the proper "Maska Ultrafil" tag in the collar, with “66 C” written in black felt-tip ink. There is an adjacent size "54" flag tag. The embroidered "CCM" label appears on the back tail adjacent to the NHL shield logo. The jersey shows decent game-use, including stick marks on the lower front and both sleeves. A white transfer mark appears on the right sleeve number and additional white marks appear on the bottom of the right sleeve. Lemieux has signed the back of the jersey in slightly faded black marker.
Comes with a 1992 Letter of Authenticity written to John Hamilton from Lemieux, along with a Letter of Provenance from the Newport Sports Museum Collection.
Pre-certified by PSA/DNA.