Rare and historic presentational felt pillowcase celebrates the "original" New York National Hockey League team, the New York Americans. Contrary to common belief, the NHL's "Original Six" era dated only from 1942-67; the "Amerks" first hit the Madison Square Garden ice in 1925, one year before the New York Rangers were founded, and it was the folding of the Americans in 1942 that solidified the "Original Six." Only given to team members that we know of, this roughly 22x23" piece belonged to Tom Bell. It consists of two pieces of felt woven together by a white strand of felt; one side sports a royal blue background with beautiful chenille Americans crest much like the one worn by the team. Opposite side is red and has the year "1937-38" in white block felt numbers, and player names chain-stitched in white (Bell's name is prominently stitched just above the year). The Americans struggled throughout most of their tenure and were quickly eclipsed by Tex Rickard's Rangers, though their list of Hall of Famers from the '37-38 squad included: Happy Day, Red Dutton, Hooley Smith, and Nels Stewart. Item is in remarkable NRMT condition, superb piece of early NHL - and New York hockey - history.