If Bobby Orr owned a car wash anywhere near me you can bet your life that I would be there everyday hoping that he would be there. He did own a restaurant in Boston in the early 70’s, but I was too young to even know that.
This weeks Orr item is one that I recently won off of Ebay. It’s another Orr collectible that I have never seen before and feel fortunate that I beat out three other bidders for it, two of whom I know are big Orr collectors.
Without further ado, here it is.
This is a 3 1/2 x 5 1/2 postcard of Orr posing in his rookie year. There’s nothing remarkable about the photo that was used. I’ve seen this same picture numerous other times in hockey magazines and programs among other things. The back of the postcard is a different story however.
This is what got me excited about this item. This was handed out by the Birchmount Car Wash in Scarborough, Ontario. As the postcard states, Orr was apparently a special representative of the establishment. In other words, they paid him a fee in return for letting the car wash use his name and likeness to promote their business. Genius as far as I’m concerned. I wonder how many folks went their just to get the postcard.
If you’re wondering about the signature, it’s a facsimile.
I actually tried looking this place up to see if they are still in business. There was nothing for Birchmount Car Wash, but the name could have changed in the forty odd years since this was handed out to customers.
There’s no telling how many of these were produced, but this is the first that I have ever seen. My winning bid for this was $58. I’m very comfortable with that price and honestly expected it to go for much higher. A bargain as far as I’m concerned.
There you have this weeks vintage Bobby Orr item. See you again next weekend where I’ll feature another piece of memorabilia from my collection.
Gary, i also bid for that piece but did not go very high as i have one that is signed by Eddie Shack on the back. He was also a rep for that car wash along with Orr. Paid $20 for mine but i agree with you that it is worth a lot more than the $58 you paid for it.
This item was released in the short span of 1967-68 to 1968-69 when Eddie and Bobby were team mates on Boston.
Gary, very nice pick up. Items like this really make a collection stand out from the rest. I am a bit envious but have been buying other items.
Thanks Dana. You’ll have to shoot me an email sometime and let me know what you’ve been picking up.
Thanks for the info Danny. I had no idea that Shack was also a rep.
No longer in business, that whole corner is condos now
Thanks for the update Matt.
That’s the kind of thing that’s not done much anymore. Can you imagine Lady Gaga doing the same thing? HA!
Right you are Goog. No way she or someone like her would do it. Back then players would do almost any advertising to earn extra money. I bet he didn’t get much more than $500 for letting his name and likeness be used.
These days athletes get more than what the average person makes in a life time to do a commercial or endorsement. All over paid IMO
I wonder if the premium wash option was called the #4