1902 Stanley Cup ring up for auction!

Online memoribilia auctioneer Classic Auctions is auctioning off an incredible piece of hockey history and for just over $13,000 it could be yours!

Up for grabs are Billy Nicholson's Montreal Amateur Athletic Association 1902 Stanley Cup Championship 14K Gold Pocket Watch and a 1903 Montreal Hockey Club 14K Gold Ring Attributed to 1903 Stanley Cup Title Defense and Gold Stick Pins.

Check it out:

From Classic Auctions:

The first in the long tradition of hoisting Lord Stanley’s hardware to symbolize victory and hockey supremacy, the Montreal Hockey Club - affiliates of the Montreal Amateur Athletic Association, were formed in 1884 and captured the inaugural Stanley Cup championship, in 1893. Represented by the famous winged-wheel logo later borrowed by the Detroit Red Wings, the Montreals competed in several leagues throughout their tenure including the Amateur Hockey Association of Canada from 1886 until 1898. The 1902 squad challenged and defeated the current Cup-holders in the form of the Victoria Hockey Club of Winnipeg in March, and later defended their title against the larger and stronger westerners in a three-game series early in 1903. Montreal-born William Charles “Billy” Nicholson would factor heavily in the Wheelers' fortunes. First joining the club in the final year of the 19th century, the netminder would backstop the 1902 champions until 1903, leaving to help form the legendary Montreal Wanderers.

Originally awarded to the “Little Men of Iron”, this absolutely magnificent 14K gold pocket watch was presented to Billy Nicholson for the Montreal Hockey Club’s victorious 1902 Stanley Cup championship, and it’s accompanied by Nicholson’s 14K gold ring attributed to the defence of the 1902 Cup title in 1903 – the first of which we have ever encountered, along with a pair of gold Montreal AAA stick pins. Produced by Waltham with a diameter of 2” and featuring the engraved winged-wheel emblem of the Montreal AAA with “Hockey Champions of the World” and “1902”, the interior of the watch has "Presented to W.C. Nicholson by the Montreal Hockey Club - 1902" engraved in attractive script. The 1903 ring is size 8 with an approx. weight of 9 grams, with “Hockey Club – 1903 – Montreal” in raised letters across the band, with a light purple stone mounted and "Hemsley 14K" stamped to the inner band. The gold stick pins are both just under 3” in length and feature the winged-wheel logo, with one stamped “15K”, the other, “14K” and “Birks”. Symbolizing the early and paramount history of the iconic Stanley Cup and representing one of hockey’s most legendary genesis clubs, these momentous antique keepsakes demand inclusion within the world’s greatest hockey collection. Please take note that this lot may be subject to a silent reserve.

Regarding the details of the pocket watch, the inside rear cover is stamped “A.W.C. Co. 14K” along with a cross hallmark and “81450”. The covers exhibits expected surface wear from a century of life including some scratches, with the watch dial clean showing no blemishes. It also appears to be in working order. There are also a few small etched repair/maintenance notations from when the watch was serviced over the years. As mentioned, the ring is the first of it’s kind we have ever handled or seen, and is attributed to have been gifted to the players for the defense of their 1902 Stanley Cup Championship versus the Winnipeg Victorias, with games played on January 29th and 31st, as well as February 2nd and 4th of 1903 (the second game was suspended during overtime and discarded). The ring remains in beautiful condition and exhibits wear from use, with scratches and small dings throughout but no obtrusive damage. The stick pins both survive wonderfully with no issues.

To bid on this incredible piece of history, click here.