Ching Johnson 1933-34 NHL All-Star Ace Bailey Benefit Game-Used Hockey Stick

• Sold For: $1,126
• Year: 1933
• Auction: 2014 October
• Lot #: 11
• Auction Category: Hockey Cards or Memorabilia

NOTE: This description has been modified from the printed catalog to reflect that we received information (thanks Brent) that the portion on the shaft that we could not identify says: "McNiece and Orchard Limited". They were an early manufacturer from Montreal. From an era that pre-dated annual all-star exhibitions and marked the origins for one of the revered “Original 6” franchises, this hockey stick represents one of the sport’s earliest and historically significant game-used relics! Issued to Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Ivan “Ching” Johnson, this 1933-34 N.H.L. All-Stars stick was used in the February 14, 1934 exhibition that pre-dated the league’s first formal All-Star Game by 13 years. A World War I veteran, Johnson was affectionately dubbed “Ivan the Terrible” and eventually, “Ching” as an abbreviated version of “Ching Ching Chinaman” (though of Irish descent, the ever-smiling Johnson was said to have Asian features). On the ice for the first-ever New York Rangers game (November 26, 1926), Johnson remained with the club for 11 seasons. As for the offered stick and its event, Toronto Maple Leafs right winger Ace Bailey suffered a career-ending injury during a December 13, 1933 contest. In an effort to raise money for Bailey’s family, the league scheduled an exhibition between the Maple Leafs and a team of NHL All-Stars from the remaining teams. Held at the Maple Leaf Gardens, the event was a success for both the hosts (Toronto won, 7-3) and the Bailey family, which received $20,909.40 in gate receipts. Wielded by Johnson that day, this vintage left-handed stick has a stenciled “N-H-L 1933-34 ALL-STARS” identifier near the top of the shaft, with “Ching Johnson – Left Defence” flanked by two stars on the opposite panel. Between those two panels, “Toronto FEB 14th 1934” is hand painted. On the shaft’s mid-portion, the manufacturer "McNiece and Orchard Limited" is written cursive characters precede “Extra Special Hand Made in Montreal, Canada.” The item shows solid game use with multiple puck and surface marks along the blade, as well as a small crack and a minor chip (long since secured with a vintage nail) at the outer edge of the blade. “Light the lamp” with this outstanding early example!