1991-92 New Jersey Devils 10th Anniversary Game Magazine (Claude Lemieux Cover)

This is a vintage sports game program from the 1991-1992 National Hockey League (NHL) season, commemorating the 10th anniversary of the New Jersey Devils franchise. The magazine measures approximately 8.5 by 11 inches and features a glossy paper cover. The cover photograph depicts forward Claude Lemieux in an action pose on the ice, wearing the team's iconic 'Christmas' era white, red, and green jersey. The top left corner displays a special '10th Anniversary' logo featuring the Devils mascot, and the bottom contains the Meadowlands Arena location tag and the NHL's 75th Anniversary logo, marking two significant milestones within a single season. The original retail price of $4.00 is printed in the upper right. Regarding condition, the piece shows visible signs of age and wear: there is a significant tear across the upper right corner of the front cover and some softening and peeling along the spine and edges. Slight creasing is visible on the left side of the cover. Despite these condition issues, the graphics remain vibrant, showcasing the legacy of a Pro Hockey Hall of Fame era for the Devils franchise.

I have virtually examined this 1991-92 New Jersey Devils 10th Anniversary Game Magazine featuring Claude Lemieux. My assessment is based on the provided visual data and current sports memorabilia market trends. This specific issue is historically significant as a 'double anniversary' piece, marking both the franchise's 10th year and the NHL's 75th season. Authenticity appears consistent with period-correct printing techniques, including the specific CMYK dot patterns and 'Christmas' era jersey coloration typical of early 90s NHL publications. The condition of this specimen is graded as 'Fair' to 'Good.' The significant tear in the upper right corner and the spine softening drastically reduce its appeal to high-end collectors who seek 'Near Mint' archival copies. In the current market, these programs are relatively common, as they were mass-produced and sold at every home game during that season. Comparable sales for programs from the 1991-92 season in similar distressed condition typically fall in the $10 range, whereas a pristine copy might fetch $25-$30. While this item holds nostalgic value—particularly for fans of Lemieux or the Devils' early years—its high production volume prevents extreme scarcity. My valuation is limited by the inability to inspect the interior pages for stadium markings, water damage, or missing inserts. For a definitive authentication, I would require an in-person tactile inspection of the paper weight, a black-light test to check for modern paper whitening agents, and a page-by-page audit to ensure the internal roster inserts remain intact. Provenance documentation, such as an original ticket stub from the game, would further solidify any collector premium.