Vintage one-of-a-kind 1965 Russian hockey stick.
New, never used condition, unique light wood hockey stick from Russia, when the Russian hockey team played in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, in 1965. The Russian hockey doctor and the Edmonton hockey doctor met and talked about new hockey injury treatments. After the game, along with a KGB escort, the Russian doctor invited the Edmonton doctor and his son to the Russian hockey team dressing room. The son was gifted this hockey stick.
53" L. Blade is 1 foot L. 3/4" by 1" by 1 1/4" W.
Inherited
Yes
Hi Natalie,
Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry.
Based on the photos and information provided, and subject to examination, this is:
A vintage unused Russian hockey stick
circa 1965
lightwood, stenciled in Russian "
53 inches in length, with a foot-long blade.
CONDITION: in unused condition
PROVENANCE: Given to client's husband by the doctor of the Russian hockey team
$500-700*
*represents a fair-market value for auction purposes; retail or asking price may vary.
Please let us know if you have additional items to appraise, or questions/concerns, and thank you again for using Mearto.
~ Delia
Many thanks, Natalie, for your comments and clarification.
While I've not found any other UNUSED Russian hockey sticks on the auction market (presumably these would most likely still be in Russia), game-used and/or signed Russian hockey sticks - including ones used in the "Miracle on Ice" game in 1980 - typically sell for between $300-500. This would have a slightly higher value since it's never been used.
Thank you again for using Mearto, and have a great day.
Delia
The Russian players did not use slapshots. Their sticks would break like toothpicks. All sticks were used and broken. This was the height of the Cold War. The Russians took back Canadian sticks and soon copied and imported them. Canadians learned medical techniques to treat athletic injuries. The Russians were highly-trained athletes. The Canadians rocked on and showed up for the game.
1980 was 16 years after this stick. The Russians had learned the slapshot by then. It is unlikely a stick like this is in the Russian Hockey Hall of Fame. Nobody would have thought to save one.
I have a friend who works for a sports memorabilia auction house and he's more specialized than I am in terms of sports collectibles; would you like me to show him these photos and see what he says as to value? It won't cost additionally but it might take a little time as I know he's pretty busy. Let me know if you'd like me to do that.
Delia
Yes, please. With appreciation, Natalie
Natalie, I am SO sorry it has taken this long to get back to you but it took several months of hounding to get an answer from him; he felt a value of $2,500-3,500 would be appropriate if sold in a specialized hockey collectibles auction but it would need to be accompanied by a signed affidavit by your husband and the original recipient of the stick.
I've updated the value on this.
Again, I'm so sorry to have taken so long with this appraisal - many thanks again for using Mearto.
The entire Russian hockey team would have brought these hockey sticks with them to play hockey in Edmonton. This stick is not a prototype, so we used inaccurate wording of it being one of a kind in that regard. However, this is a survivor. The stick is new, never used, which makes it unique.
My husband is the owner of the stick; he is the one who was gifted the stick from the Russians.
Please let me know if you need any more details. Thank you, Natalie