The E-Sylum:  Volume 10, Number 12, March 25, 2007, Article 17

TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS FOUNDER'S WWI MEDAL SOUGHT FOR HOCKEY MUSEUM

A March 21 article in the Toronto Star describes one man's quest
to obtain for a museum a WWI medal awarded to Conn Smythe, 
founder of the Toronto Maple Leafs hockey team:

"Military buff Dave Thomson believes Smythe's Victory Medal, which
was sold by the Smythe family to an unnamed purchaser before it ended
up online, should be in the Hockey Hall of Fame. The 48-year-old from
St. George, Ont., said yesterday he is trying to raise enough money
to buy it for the museum.

"The medal is for sale at classicauctions.net, with the
opening bid at $2,000. The auction closes March 27.

"Smythe's medal is described on the website as 'historic and rare,'
with its original colourful ribbon intact. 'C.F.Smythe' with his rank
"2.Lieut." is inscribed on the decoration's rim with "The Great War
For Civilization 1914-1919" etched on the back. Victory medals were
awarded to 351,289 Canadians who served during the World War I.

"Maple Leaf Sport & Entertainment Ltd. spent $102,531 (U.S.) in December
to buy a large collection of basketball memorabilia that once belonged
to the game's Canadian inventor, James Naismith, after it was found in
Naismith's American granddaughter's basement. MLSE's purchase of the
artefacts was done live and online, with the Leafs' parent company
donating the items to Canada's Sports Hall of Fame.

"MLSE president and CEO Richard Peddie said the club would take 'an
active look' at Smythe's medal. 'Obviously, we're very mindful of
Conn Smythe's history and contribution to the Leafs of today.'"

To read the complete article, see: Full Story

  Wayne Homren, Editor

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