Calling all avid sports fans and fervent card collectors: it's time to dust off your bidding paddles—or, in this digital age, make sure your internet connection is solid. On June 22nd, Miller & Miller Auctions brings forth an abundant celebration of pre-1980 sports treasures that are bound to make any enthusiast weak at the knees. This online-exclusive event promises to ignite a frenzy among collectors as they vie for 235 lots of cards and memorabilia spotlighting some of baseball and hockey's most legendary names.
Leading the charge is the everlasting hero of the ballpark, Mickey Mantle. The 1952 Topps #311 Mantle rookie card, revered as the ultimate prize among baseball card collectors, is on the auction block. Despite its well-played condition—a PSA 2 Good grade that remembers its history with lightly worn corners—this card is expected to generate bids soaring between $40,000 and $50,000 CAD. Its iconic stature alone is ample fuel for what promises to be an exhilarating bidding battle.
However, Mantle's card is not flying solo in this legendary collectors' lineup. A coveted assortment of 40 cards from the 1952 Topps Sixth Series, better known as the elusive "High Numbers," from card #311 Mantle to #407, is also up for grabs. Although they bear the scars of time with some damage and heavy wear, those seasoned edges tell stories, and with an expectation of fetching between $3,000 to $5,000 CAD, they offer a slice of collectible paradise that's hard to resist.
On the hockey ice, the spotlight hits a 1951 Parkhurst #66 rookie card of the indomitable Gordie Howe. This piece of hockey history is graded PSA 3 Very Good—a condition that doesn’t meet museum standards but certainly appeals to the keen eye of any dedicated collector. Estimated to rake in $8,000 to $10,000 CAD, this card stands as the centerpiece of the 1951-52 Parkhurst set, showcasing a perfect blend of rarity and reverence.
Sliding alongside Howe’s card is Bobby Orr’s 1966 Topps #35 rookie card. Significantly cherished, it has achieved a KSA 6 Excellent-Near Mint grade, making it a beacon for both die-hard fans and strategic investors. Estimates suggest it will hammer in a tidy $8,000 to $9,000 CAD.
Spicing up the auction roster is a rare find from hockey’s golden era—a game-used, team-signed hockey stick from the Toronto Maple Leafs’ triumphant 1951 Stanley Cup season. This artifact, adorned with Bill Barilko’s number 5 and his teammates’ endorsements, is a unique chronicle of history’s allure. Valued at $3,000 to $5,000 CAD, it encapsulates the thrilling legends of the frozen rink.
Collectors with an eye for presentation will be enchanted by a striking shadow box featuring Parkhurst rookie cards of Maurice and Henri Richard, coupled with a Louisville Pro Flex stick lovingly autographed by both legends. Graded KSA 4 and 3 respectively, the cards, encased within this 24-inch by 72-inch display, extend their allure with a Canadiens puck and an elegant bronze tribute plaque, collectively estimated between $4,000 to $6,000 CAD.
Additional gems include a full suite of 110 1964-65 Topps “Tall Boys” hockey cards. Their distinctive elongated form captures the essence of legendary figures such as Howe, Bobby Hull, and Tim Horton, all curating the narrative of hockey's historical tapestry. This collection, encompassing an overall good to very good condition, anticipates a saleroom price of $4,000 to $6,000 CAD.
The pièce de résistance is a pristine 1979-80 O-Pee-Chee uncut sheet of hockey cards, showcasing an immaculate #18 Wayne Gretzky rookie card. Despite some minuscule edge wear gracing this rarity, its potential price range of $3,500 to $4,500 CAD reflects its scarcity and desirability.
Ben Pernfuss, the Consignment Director at Miller & Miller, attests to the staggering display of seminal sports memorabilia. "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," he explains, an invitation for every collector to relive what could be seen as the sport's golden years.
Prospective bidders are encouraged to peruse the illustrious catalog on the Miller & Miller website or jump into the virtual auctioneering fray via LiveAuctioneers. As a trusted guardian of high-value collections, Miller & Miller Auctions remains committed to presenting these relics of athletic magnificence, showcasing everything from sports cards to luxurious timepieces and vintage finery, all handled with the diligent care they deserve.
Mickey Mantle Rookie At Auction
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