1949-50 TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS # 11 HOWIE MEEKER

GAME WORN JERSEY

This jersey is complete with all original tagging, crest and numbers. Unlike most Toronto Maple Leaf game worn jerseys from this era, this beauty has maintained its original vibrant colour in the felt blue "36 point" crest and numbers. There is no shrinkage noted to the size 40 measured chest and 29" length. The jersey exhibits multiple repairs with some small un-repaired holes. Blood stains are present on the back with some washed out blood stains present in the lower front hem. 

The original Tease Knit and Hawco tag remain sewn to the interior. My research has pin pointed this jersey to the 1949-50 season based on observations in the tagging worn prior to this season and immediately following this season. I have owned a 1947-48 Max Bentley jersey that had a slightly different version of this Tease Knit tag. That same version is visible in an April 16, 1949 photo of the Leafs accepting the Stanley Cup from the Portraits of the Game: Andrew Podnieks - Turofsky photo collection plate # 20 showing Vic Lynn and plate # 19 Don Metz from March 12, 1949. Both these images show the tag on the outside hem and it matches the style of tag worn in 1947-48 by Max Bentley. 

Documented photo matches of Bill Barlilko's jersey from the 1950-51 playoffs show the exact same Tease Knit tag as this 1949-50 Howie Meeker, except the Barilko also sports a "Doug Laurie" tag. I have examined images of Howie Meeker from the 1950-51 playoffs and this jersey does not match the jersey he wore in that Stanley Cup Championship Final in which he assisted on Bill Barilko's famous goal. 

As a result of this research I conclude that this jersey fits directly in between the 1948-49 and 1950-51 seasons and makes it a 1949-50 jersey. Photographic evidence of Howie Meeker in the 1940-50 team photo also shows the exact same style and position of crest with the unique nuances of the Maple Leaf being an exact match. The crests on the Leaf jerseys of the 40's and 50's changed in subtle ways for each season. This particular style is a dead on match to the 1949-50 images. 

This jersey will come with a comprehensive 6 page Letter of Authenticity complete with photo references.