Wayne Gretzky Mid-1970s Pre-NHL Autograph Sheet Featuring 4 Signatures of Wayne Practicing His John Hancock – From Gretzky Legal Guardian Bill Cornish's Personal Collection!
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Getting a jump start on what would become a regular occurrence for The Great One during his iconic Hall of Fame career, we have a sheet autographed by a young Wayne Gretzky, with the soon-to-be wunderkind practicing his signature. Executed by a 14/15 year old Wayne while staying with the Cornish family when he was playing for the Toronto/Seneca Nationals in 1975-76/1976-77, the important sheet has the impeccable provenance of hailing directly from Bill Cornish, who was named Wayne's legal guardian at the time. The 6" x 9" thin off-white and toned sheet feature's 4 different early blue ballpoint signatures, along with additional doodles including, interestingly, "#99", with this historically significant as Wayne would transition from the #9 to his iconic #99 after joining the Soo Greyhounds, in 1977-78. Early autograph specimens from the game's all-time greatest player are especially rare and highly sought, with the offered example absolutely ideal for any world class Gretzky collection. An LOA from Bill Cornish will accompany.
We should also note that according to Bill Cornish, Wayne was already being inundated with autograph requests at the time this sheet was executed, with Wayne realizing his need to improve and practice both the legibility along with the speed of his signing, as endless requests would continue to follow. A few other things are written over the reverse in a different hand, with just a minor fold line, the aforementioned toning and a small fold over the upper right corner to note. William (Bill) Cornish was named legal guardian of Wayne Gretzky in June of 1975 as his parents, Walter and Phyllis, had decided Wayne would play his junior hockey in Toronto, and he would be staying with the Cornish family (which he did so for a few years). Bill was the general manager of the Toronto Nationals bantam team and he is the one who came up with the idea of having Gretzky playing in the Jr. B when a legal battle arise for Wayne to play in the MTHL.