Amidst the digital hustle of our fast-paced collecting world, legends from baseball and hockey are lacing up their nostalgic sneakers and hitting the virtual turf. Miller & Miller Auctions is gearing up to deliver an online showcase that promises to send sports fans and card collectors on a whirlwind of excitement. Mark your calendars for June 22nd, when 235 lots of pre-1980 sports cards and memorabilia will grace the digital auction floor.
Leading the pack is an icon that needs no introduction—Mickey Mantle. His 1952 Topps #311 rookie card, revered as the holy grail of baseball cards, will set the starting line. While this piece of cardboard might not be glistening in minty freshness, graded PSA 2 Good, its condition is akin to a well-read but treasured classic novel: corners roughed up yet possessing a narrative that collectors are eager to tell. Put simply, it’s the kind of card that fuels dream bids estimated between $40,000 and $50,000 CAD, making it the auction’s pièce de résistance.
Mantle’s not hogging the spotlight alone; he’s sharing it with a cohort of vintage grandeur from Topps’ 1952 Sixth Series. This collection of 40 cards features the elusive “High Numbers,” which includes a roster of fan favorites spanning #311 to #407. These pieces, while showing signs of their celebrated past, are still highly sought-after relics. Estimated at $3,000 to $5,000 CAD, their appeal is for collectors who understand that wear and tear come steeped in history and charm.
Turning the rink lights on, the hockey arena hosts its own parade of stars, with Gordie Howe taking center stage. His 1951 Parkhurst #66 rookie card, graded PSA 3 Very Good, might not be ready for induction into a condition hall of fame, but it remains a visual treat and commands respect with an estimate of $8,000 to $10,000 CAD. It’s the kind of card that transforms a casual fan into an enthusiastic collector with a single glance.
Not to be outshone is Bobby Orr, the quintessential titan of defense, whose 1966 Topps #35 rookie card is the very essence of collectible ice poetry. Graded KSA 6 Excellent-Near Mint, it’s poised to draw significant attention from both ardent hockey aficionados and those with an eye for lucrative investments, with estimates dancing between $8,000 and $9,000 CAD.
Among the unique treasures up for grabs is a one-of-a-kind Bill Barilko hockey stick, autographed by the 1951 Stanley Cup-winning Toronto Maple Leafs team. Bearing Barilko’s legendary number 5, this revered stick, estimated at $3,000 to $5,000 CAD, is the ultimate find for those who cherish the romance between skill and memorabilia.
For enthusiasts who appreciate a visually decadent display, there’s a shadow box exhibit featuring Maurice and Henri Richard’s Parkhurst rookie cards, joining forces with a signed Louisville Pro Flex stick, delectable Canadiens puck, and a bronze plaque. This slice of Canadiens’ lore transcends collectible status; it’s a museum-worthy tribute tagged at $4,000 to $6,000 CAD.
No epic feature is complete without a showcase of Topps’ iconic “Tall Boys” cards, spanning the 1964-65 hockey season. A complete set—with luminaries like Gordie Howe, Bobby Hull, and Tim Horton—is a nostalgic journey as extensive as the cards themselves. Ready to be embraced between $4,000 and $6,000 CAD, this collectible is a passport to the past, promising more than mere ownership—a union with sporting history.
Finally, for the passionate few whose affinity for intact relics transcends the ordinary, a 1979-80 O-Pee-Chee uncut sheet of 226 hockey cards featuring Wayne Gretzky’s unmarred rookie card awaits. Despite some minor edge wear, this relic from the era’s assembly line is a rare testimony to perseverance, estimated to bring in $3,500 to $4,500 CAD.
Ben Pernfuss, Consignment Director at Miller & Miller, succinctly captures the essence of this event, describing it as a cavalcade of who’s who in sports history. He celebrates this auction’s mastery in assembling keystones from the 1951 Parkhurst and 1952 Topps sets—cornerstones showcasing the icons who redefined the sporting landscape.
For those hoping to catch a glimpse of this collectible extravaganza from their couches or chase the thrill of a bidding clash, the auction catalog awaits on Miller & Miller’s website. As Canada’s trusted curator of high-value collections, Miller & Miller stands ready to escort these timeless capsules to their new custodians, treating each piece with the kind of reverence reserved for a rookie’s inaugural glove.
