While browsing the Christie’s East Sports Memorabilia October 1994 auction catalog, I came across a small black-and-white photo of one of the most important documents in hockey history, described simply as “WAYNE GRETZKY’S FIRST CONTRACT.” Wit the following black-and-white image.
“A contract dated December 13, 1977 between sixteen year old Wayne Gretzky and Soo Greyhounds Hockey Club of the Canadian Major Junior Hockey League. This is Gretzky’s earliest professional contract. The contract is for four seasons at a weekly salary of between sixty-five and seventy dollars per week. It is signed by Gretzky his lawyer, and the Club President and bears the club seal. Gretzky became the greatest scorer in the history of hockey and currently plays for the Los Angeles Kings. The contract was torn and repaired with tape. The tear can be professionally restored.”
Estimate: $3,000–5,000
I was happy to see that it eventually resurfaced when SCP Auctions sold the contract in May 2011 for $22,039.20, providing updated details and clearer photography.
SCP described it as:
“Offered here is Gretzky’s 1977 contract to play for the Soo Greyhounds signed by him when he was 16 years old. The contract called for Gretzky to receive $25 per week plus a $40 weekly stipend for Accommodation expenses for a four-year period through the 1980–81 season.”
They further noted:
“This historic document was torn in half at some point and repaired with clear tape. Its display quality is largely unaffected. Its historical significance is undeniable. Gretzky’s dark ballpoint signature rates 9 out of 10. Pre-certified by PSA/DNA.”
Happy collecting!
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