The World's Most Famous Arena - my MSG stuff

[NYRangers]

Along with jerseys and equipment from hockey and football, I enjoy tracking down artifacts from the various incarnations of Madison Square Garden. Over the years, I have collected seats, signs, usher hats, security badges, photos and so on from the World's Most Famous Arena. I will post some of my favorites here and invite others to do same. I am always looking to add more. Thanks, John
dmzeverg [AT] ptd [D0T] net

First up is a brick from the incarnation of MSG that reigned from 1926 until 1968, known as MSG III. It was purchased from an antiques dealer handling the estate of a former, longtime official at MSG. I also obtained a photo of this same official with two other MSG officials, including NY Rangers HOF'er Muzz Patrick, standing at the demolition site of MSG III. The men are holding identical bricks in their hands and others can be seen in the rubble. I apologize in advance if this photo posts upside down (it is correct in my computer but the preview tool on here shows otherwise).

[NYRangers]

Re: The World's Most Famous Arena - my MSG stuff

Two usher hats embroidered with Madison Square Garden, styled matched to photos from 1920-30s and 1940-50s respectively.

[camarokids]

Re: The World's Most Famous Arena - my MSG stuff

I would have loved to have been at the Led Zeppelin concerts there in 1973. But I was only 8 at the time....

[NYRangers]

Re: The World's Most Famous Arena - my MSG stuff

Yup, too young for the 1977 shows too.
Here's a sick piece for the DEEP pocketed Zep head:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/111760484970?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

[MLB~NUT]

Re: The World's Most Famous Arena - my MSG stuff

I would have loved to been alive, to have been able to see Elvis Presley perform there in concert!

[sox83cubs84]

Re: The World's Most Famous Arena - my MSG stuff

If you want something bizarre, get a DVD of Godzilla (the Matthew Broderick version from the 1990s set in New York City). The Garden plays a pivotal role towards the end of the movie (though not necessarily a pleasant one),

Dave Miedema

[NYRangers]

Re: The World's Most Famous Arena - my MSG stuff

This is an old illuminated exit sign from MSG pre-1968 closing. It was long ago retrieved from the Garden by a NYC fireman. Each of the exits were numbered and this one is "EXIT96". I had it box framed with an electric light behind it. You can see this exact exit sign in old photos directly beneath the elaborate scoreboard.

[KGoldin]

Re: The World's Most Famous Arena - my MSG stuff

If you are an MSG or Rangers fan, and have a LOT of space...
...we are actually auctioning off the entire Rangers hockey rink use during the Stanley Cup 1994 season (1991-2013).
details when our auction previews in 2 weeks

[NYRangers]

Re: The World's Most Famous Arena - my MSG stuff

That sounds incredible Ken. You would need a serious hockey den to fit the whole rink!
Here's a pair of folding seats that were used for floor seating and extra seats until the renovations in MSG. I particularly like the blue one because it is the color of the old blue seats which were pulled out in that same renovation. At the top of my want list is one of the permanent blue seats that came out in 1991.

[NYRangers]

Re: The World's Most Famous Arena - my MSG stuff

This is a shadow box with seat pieces scavenged from MSG III when the Rangers played their last game their in 1968. A pair of ticket stubs from the game are displayed too. Please let me know if you get a line on any seats from the old Garden - or any MSG stuff for that matter!

[NYRangers]

Re: The World's Most Famous Arena - my MSG stuff

A pair of folding seats from MSG III with a section sign from more recent renovations.

[NYRangers]

Re: The World's Most Famous Arena - my MSG stuff

A badge and hat piece for the security officers, photos suggest circa 1950s, give or take. Sorry for upside down. Not sure why my photos keep getting flipped when I upload.

[dougiedshow]

Re: The World's Most Famous Arena - my MSG stuff

Here's my only MSG item. An original 1926 Wire Photo from the first practice in New York Rangers history at MSG III.

Dougiedshow@aol.com


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[NYRangers]

Re: The World's Most Famous Arena - my MSG stuff

That's a great photo of earliest days of the Rangers. Thanks for sharing.
Here's a program from the opening event of MSG III in 1926, a game between the New York Americans and the Montreal Canadiens, a year before the Rangers were born.

[NYRangers]

Re: The World's Most Famous Arena - my MSG stuff

And keeping with the early days ... this is a 1928 MSG pass signed on both sides by Tex Rickard. When Tex Rickard saw the popularity of the NY Americans, he decided to form his own hockey team to play in the new Madison Square Garden he was developing. Critics scoffed at the Texan's idea and called his new hockey team "Tex's Rangers." Thus was born the New York Rangers. This card directed MSG staff to permit entry at all times to Amon Carter, a fellow Texas millionaire with a famous art museum in his name. Rickard died one year later in 1929 of a burst appendix. He is a member of Boxing HOF as a promoter and deserves to be enshrined in Hockey HOF as a Builder. Upside down again - go figure!