Ace Bailey was a legendary figure in the early days of the NHL, playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs from 1926 to 1933. Bailey led the NHL in goals and points during the 1928-29 NHL season, scoring 22 times and recording 10 assists during the 44 game NHL season. One of the most infamous events in NHL history revolved around Bailey, when Hall of Fame defenseman and Bailey’s teammate King Clancy took out Boston Bruins star Eddie Shore during their game on December 12^th, 1933 at the Boston Garden. In retaliation, Shore checked Bailey from behind, violently knocking the right winger to the ice and fracturing his skull. Bailey barely survived the incident, and never played in the NHL again. In February of 1934, the Maple Leafs held the first NHL All-Star Game as a benefit event for Bailey, raising over $20,000 for the family of the stricken player. Bailey’s number “6” became the first number retired in professional sports when Leafs owner Conn Smythe took it out of rotation following the benefit game. Bailey was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1975.

The item offered here is Bailey’s historically significant player’s contract for the 1933-34 NHL season, signed just two months before Bailey’s career ended, on October 17^th, 1933. Both Bailey and the Hall of Fame owner of the Maple Leafs, Conn Smythe, have signed this contract. They have both signed in black fountain pen, while the signature of a witness to the contract also appears. This historic item comes with a LOA from Steve Grad of Beckett Authentication. 

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