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The pictures of the Toronto Maple Leafs stored in the city's municipal archives are unusual. For the most part they show the boys in blue during casual moments, enjoying an off-ice activities or posing for promotional photos, in the 1940s, 50s, and 60s. The shots that do show the team in action are few and far between.
Though the collection might lack some of the excitement of conventional live action shots, what we gain is an insight into the team's quieter moments at a time when they were at their most fruitful. The team would lift 10 of its 13 Stanley Cups, including its last, during these salad days.
Featured here are images of everyone from Johnny Bower and Conn Smythe to "Ace" Bailey and Darryl Sittler. Bailey, shown below at his desk in his later years, was the first player in the NHL to have his number permanently retired. He was also the beneficiary of the league's first all-star game when his promising career was interrupted by a serious head injury.
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Terry Sawchuk (below), a Vezina Trophy winner, was between the irons when the Leafs were last NHL champions all those decades ago. At his retirement in 1970, the Winnipeg native held the record for most wins for a goaltender until Martin Brodeur surpassed 447 victories in Dec. 2009.Image may be NSFW.
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Since the lockout is officially over and Leafs are back at their intermittent best it seems now is as good a time as any to take a lock back at the glory days. Just for the sake of it, here's video of the final moments of the 1967 season as the Carlton street stadium counts down to victory against Jean Beliveau's Montreal Canadiens.
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Nat Turofsky eyes a portrait of Leafs captain George Armstrong with the Stanley CupImage may be NSFW.
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Leafs gather during practice for a press photoImage may be NSFW.
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Sonny Fox, American TV host, with Toronto Maple Leafs players and children at Maple Leaf GardensImage may be NSFW.
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The son of Globe and Mail founder C. George McCullagh gets an autographed stick from a Maple LeafImage may be NSFW.
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Johnny Bower stands guard against the Chicago Black HawksImage may be NSFW.
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One of these men is "a Cuban visitor" to Maple Leaf GardensImage may be NSFW.
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On the attack against the Chicago Black HawksImage may be NSFW.
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An unidentified player goes five-hole during a warm-up exercise as Nat Turofsky watches onImage may be NSFW.
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Sports journalist Scott Young in the dressing room at Maple Leaf GardensImage may be NSFW.
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Chicago leads 1-0Image may be NSFW.
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Wide shot of the ice, pre-advertising, at the GardensImage may be NSFW.
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Margaret Marshall, the girl on the goal, with two Toronto Maple Leafs playersImage may be NSFW.
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Female ice show performers in Leafs sweatersImage may be NSFW.
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Sawchuk keeps a watchful eye over the actionImage may be NSFW.
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Black Hawks score on BowerImage may be NSFW.
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A visiting Japanese prince takes in a gameImage may be NSFW.
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Leafs pose for renowned photographer Nat TurofskyImage may be NSFW.
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Member of the Gardens' Ice Capades squad with a broken legImage may be NSFW.
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Leafs pose post-game in 1959Image may be NSFW.
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Nat Turofsky shows off a Maple Leafs promotional posterImage may be NSFW.
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Leafs attacking in the Boston endImage may be NSFW.
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Victoria Cross recipient dropping puck to start hockey gameImage may be NSFW.
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Leafs slip one past the Black Hawks goalie despite a last ditch attempt at a blocked shotImage may be NSFW.
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Trainer Tommy Nayler sharpening skatesImage may be NSFW.
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Darryl Sittler poses with March of Dimes volunteerImage may be NSFW.
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"Spiff" Evans and group with old Stanley Cup and OHA Cup at Maple Leaf Gardens
Chris Bateman is a staff writer at blogTO. Follow him on Twitter at @chrisbateman.
Images: Toronto Telegram Archives, and the City of Toronto Archives.
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