July 21, 2022: Summer Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/21/2022
Here’s a fascinating piece loaded with historical significance from a veteran hockey player who just might be the most well-traveled of all, a purple training jacket attributed to veteran defenseman Larry Hillman, who labored for 10 different teams, with 15 changes over 22 seasons, most in the NHL. At the end, it was to the upstart WHA as Hillman was closing out his career, which included six Stanley Cups. The double-knit jacket has the six-button (white snap) front on a long-sleeve garment with dentist collar. It has a 3-inch patch straight-stitched affixed to the left chest, with “Cleveland” and “Crusaders” surrounding the team logo in black, white and purple embroidery. A three-stripe (1 5/8-inch) braid in white/black/white extends from collar to sleeve edge and the right chest sports Hillman’s No. 2 in white tackle twill, zig-zag affixed. A heavily frayed Butwin label appears at the collar, alongside flap tags of “XL Size” and customization specs. The jacket reveals excessive pilling on most of the lower front top to bottom and also toward the side seams left and right.
1974-75 Larry Hillman Cleveland Crusaders WHA Game-Worn Training Jacket
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