Chicago Stadium 60th Anniversary Patch

chicago_stadium_patchLongtime Chicago Blackhawks fans may recognize this patch. It was issued in 1989 to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Chicago Stadium, which was the home of the Blackhawks back then, as well as the NBA’s Chicago Bulls. I missed out on getting this patch when it was a giveaway in 1989. Since then, it has been on my want list — but I finally nabbed one!

chicago_stadiumThe patch was not worn by the players, but it was given away at a game. I’m pretty sure it was given out to fans at the Blackhawks-Nordiques game on March 29, 1989. That would have been 60 years and one day from when Chicago Stadium first opened its doors on March 28, 1929.

As luck would have it, I went to the home game right after the one where this was given out. This patch is the sort of thing that, as a kid, I would have sewn to my coat or backpack. Over the years, whenever I saw this 60th Anniversary patch at a show, it was always around $15 or $20; more than I wanted to pay. I’m not necessarily a patch collector, but I do like certain ones if the history is significant to me.

Late last year, the Chicago Blackhawks Team Store was having a moving sale. Almost everything was 75% off or more — but not the jerseys, of course. I ended up getting some Stadium Series memorabilia items for cheap. Most of the discounted items were brand new. But off to the side on a shelf was a stack of these patches. They might have been made back in 1989, or they might have been produced later. It didn’t matter to me. For $1.60 plus tax, I finally had one. I picked one up for my Aunt, too, who took me to many games back in 1980s and 1990s. She kept most of her giveaway items from the games we went to. Now we both have the patch that eluded us.

Collecting is many times a waiting game. Sooner or later, you find what you want at a price you want to pay. Sometimes when you least expect it, too. You just have to be patient.

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Author: Sal Barry

Sal Barry is the editor and webmaster of Puck Junk. He is a freelance hockey writer, college professor and terrible hockey player. Follow him on Twitter @puckjunk

2 thoughts on “Chicago Stadium 60th Anniversary Patch”

  1. I’m envious that you got to see hockey at that place. Those old hockey arenas were awesome. I saw games at the old Madison Square Garden and the old Boston Gardens but never got to Chicago until the Stadium was long gone.

    Nice pick-up!

  2. Always good to get something you want at a price point acceptable to you–and love the new banner–sort of screams the 70’s

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