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Lot # 1322: Original Boston Garden North Station Porcelain Sign

Starting Bid: $300.00

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Presented is the opportunity to possess an original Boston Garden North Station porcelain sign. The Boston Garden was designed by boxing promoter Tex Rickard, who built Madison Square Garden III in New York City. The arena sat atop the North Station Railroad Station. It opened with a boxing card on Nov. 17, 1928, and it was originally called "Boston Madison Square Garden," but common usage shortened the name to Boston Garden. It was home to the NHL's Boston Bruins, the NBA's Boston Celtics, boxing, concerts, wrestling, circuses, and ice shows. Although the seating capacity varied frequently over the years, the arena generally sat between 13,909 and 15,320 fans. Rickard said he wanted to make the fans close enough to the action so that, "They could see the sweat on the boxers' faces." He succeeded. The fans were close to the action and the acoustics were wonderful. The arena was famous for the iconic parquet floor that was in place for basketball games. The Boston Celtics played in 19 NBA Championship Series at Boston Garden, winning nine NBA Championships at Boston Garden. The Boston Bruins played 17 Stanley Cup Final Series at Boston Garden, winning two Stanley Cups on Boston Garden ice. Famous Boston Garden concerts were performed by The Beatles, KISS, The Rolling Stones, the Boston Pops, and numerous other groups. The final event at Boston Garden was a celebration of the arena's history, held on Sept. 29, 1995. Boston Bruins' hockey greats such as Bobby Orr and Phil Esposito were there along with Boston Celtics legend Larry Bird and long-time coach and executive Red Auerbach. The Boston Garden was demolished in 1998, and the Bruins and Celtics played their home games in the Fleet Center, now called TD Garden. The offered sign measures 73.25x12.25", and it weighs 20 lbs. The top part of the sign has white letters on a purple background, and it reads, "NORTH STATION." The bottom part has black letters on a white background, and it reads, "BOSTON GARDEN." An arrow points to the left. The sign has six brackets at the bottom, and it appears similar brackets were on top but are no longer there. The lettering that shows "North Station" and "Boston Garden" is in excellent condition. The sign does exhibit heavy use: There are small rust spots along both the top and bottom edges as well as in other places. In other areas, paint has chipped off, usually between a half inch and an inch in length. There are some small stains and several scratch marks, one that is extended. Despite the aforementioned minor imperfections, the sign presents well, and it makes a wonderful collectible from one of the country's most notable arenas.

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