Liscombe was the MVP of the Wings' 1943 Stanley Cup championship, playing on the top line with Syd Howe and Mud Bruneteau. In the playoffs he led all scorers with 6 goals and 8 assists in 10 games.
According to the attached letter of authenticity, Liscombe's 14 karat, size 9 ring's flat rectangular face features crossed hockey sticks and pucks engraved along with "Stanley Cup, 1942-43, Detroit" - all in reverse!
The late Mr. Liscombe has a letter explaining the oddity. Red Wings coach and GM "Jolly" Jack Adams "gave the team an option of a ring or a $400 bonus." The Wings players chose the money, but NHL president Red Dutton insisted that they be given the bonus, as well as the ring.
Furious at the decision, the cantankerous Adams, nicknamed Jolly in jest, had the rings stamped in reverse and, as Liscombe points out in his letter, "made in a size too small for any of us to wear."
This ring and letters are up for auction over at Classic Auctions.net. The bidding opened at $1500.
1 comment:
Interesting story. It makes Adams sound like a role model for Harold Ballard.
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