Prepare to lace up those digital bidding shoes, sports aficionados and card collectors alike! Get ready for an exhilarating race to claim some of the most venerated treasures from the annals of sports history. The arena? The internet. The contenders? Collectors from across the globe gearing up to participate in Miller & Miller Auctions’ online-only extravaganza featuring a veritable smorgasbord of pre-1980 sports memorabilia. The event, slated for June 22nd, is shaping up to be a tug-of-war between nostalgia and the wallet, showcasing some delectable offerings from the golden era of baseball and hockey.
Taking center stage, as gracefully and grandly as he ever did on the field, is none other than the legendary Mickey Mantle. His 1952 Topps #311 rookie card—more myth than mere cardboard—is the crown jewel of the baseball card universe. A PSA 2 Good grade reflects its storied past, with corners who’ve been through the wringer. Yet, much like a battle-hardened veteran, it remains resolute and respectable, with sound edges and a surface that tells tales of yore. This quintessential piece of Americana is anticipated to command between $40,000 and $50,000 CAD, a testament to its enduring appeal.
Mantle’s rookie card isn’t the sole subject of the auction buzz. Other baseball greats are in the spotlight, too, including a cohort of 40 cards from Topps’ 1952 Sixth Series—the elusive “High Numbers.” Comprising a range from #311 through #407 and acclaimed as the epitome of that set, these cards offer a window into the past. Even the telltale signs of wear can’t overshadow their allure. Estimated at $3,000 to $5,000 CAD, these cards represent a chance to reel in a slice of hobby history.
Baseball enthusiasts aren’t the only ones in for a treat. Hockey, with its own panoply of legends, takes a worthy place in this auction’s lineup. The coveted 1951 Parkhurst #66 Gordie Howe rookie card glides onto the scene. It might not hail from a museum, but with its PSA 3 Very Good grade, it still packs plenty of visual punch. Set to fetch $8,000 to $10,000 CAD, this card remains the icing on the cake of the 1951-52 Parkhurst set, a beacon of hockey history.
Speaking of hockey icons, who could overlook the magnetic appeal of Bobby Orr’s 1966 Topps #35 rookie card? Graded KSA 6 Excellent-Near Mint, it promises to draw the attention of fans and serious investors alike. The projections estimate a value between $8,000 to $9,000 CAD, reflecting Orr’s indelible mark on hockey history.
The auction doesn’t stop at cards alone. One of the more singular items is a game-used, team-signed hockey stick from the Toronto Maple Leafs’ triumphant 1951 Stanley Cup-winning season. This stick, bespeckled with Bill Barilko’s number “5” and signatures from his contemporaries, is a one-of-a-kind relic capturing a bygone era of hockey lore. Penciled in at $3,000 to $5,000 CAD, it’s a historical artifact that offers more than just surface value—it is a fragment of sports history frozen in time.
For those with a taste for dynamics and display, an intriguing shadow box awaits. Encased within its sizable 24-inch by 72-inch dimensions are Parkhurst rookie cards of Maurice and Henri Richard, rated KSA 4 and 3 respectively. Accompanying these cards are a signed Louisville Pro Flex stick, a Canadiens puck, and a bronze plaque, coalescing into a magnificent tribute to Montreal Canadiens grandeur. This piece of epic memorabilia is estimated to garner between $4,000 to $6,000 CAD.
Further enticing collectors is a comprehensive set of 110 1964-65 Topps “Tall Boys” hockey cards. Known for their unique elongated form, these cards feature celebrated figures such as Gordie Howe, Bobby Hull, and Tim Horton. The set, boasting grades across good to very good, may carry an expected flourish, priced between $4,000 and $6,000 CAD.
Rounding out the highlights is an uncut sheet of 226 hockey cards from the 1979-80 O-Pee-Chee series. Noteworthy for containing a pristine #18 Wayne Gretzky rookie card, this sheet, despite minimal edge wear, is a rare survivor. Estimated to bring $3,500 to $4,500 CAD, it’s a collector’s spectacle.
Ben Pernfuss, Miller & Miller’s Consignment Director, couldn’t have expressed it any better. “Collectors will find key cards from the groundbreaking 1951 Parkhurst hockey and 1952 Topps baseball sets featuring some of the most iconic names in sports.”
Keen bidders can begin their strategic planning now by perusing the auction catalog on Miller & Miller’s website or join the real-time bidding saga via LiveAuctioneers. Known as Canada’s paragon of high-value collection sales, Miller & Miller Auctions is poised to treat sports cards, alongside watches, jewelry, and other collectibles, with the fiduciary care akin to how one might handle Mantle’s legendary rookie card.
