Prepare to savor a delicious slice of sports history as Miller & Miller Auctions gets ready to ignite the passions of card collectors far and wide. The virtual curtain rises on June 22nd for an online extravaganza, serving up a feast of pre-1980 sports cards and memorabilia, where the bidding wars are set to match the intensity of the most thrilling games. So, dust off your digital seat and get ready to engage in a nostalgic tug-of-war over 235 lots of sporting grandeur.
Stealing the spotlight with the swagger of a centerfield catch is the inimitable Mickey Mantle. His 1952 Topps #311 rookie card, much like a home run soaring under the summer sun, carries with it an aura of legendary allure. Dubbed the "holy grail" of baseball cards, this piece of cardboard magic may have corners softened by time, but it's still expected to charm collectors to the tune of $40,000 to $50,000 CAD. Graded PSA 2 Good, this card whispers stories of baseball's golden days to those eager to listen—and bid with zeal.
But Mantle is not alone in this spotlight of nostalgia. Baseball acolytes are in for a treat with a parade of 40 Topps 1952 Sixth Series cards, the elusive "High Numbers." Spanning from #311 Mantle to #407, these cards encapsulate the spirit of their era, overcoming blemishes and wear like battle scars of a beloved veteran. Expected to rake in anywhere between $3,000 to $5,000 CAD, these slices of history offer collectors a chance to own a tangible piece of the past.
Meanwhile, on the icy rinks of hockey, legends glide into the spotlight with equal fervor. The 1951 Parkhurst #66 Gordie Howe rookie card, with its PSA 3 Very Good grade, is an ode to the grit and glory of hockey's heart. Anticipated to fetch $8,000 to $10,000 CAD, it stands as a testament to Howe's indelible impact on the sport, a crown jewel in both the Parkhurst set and the annals of hockey lore.
As if by magic, the essence of Bobby Orr skates into view with his 1966 Topps #35 rookie card. This card, blessed with a KSA 6 Excellent-Near Mint rating, beckons both dedicated fans and hungry investors alike, with its projected saleroom dance between $8,000 and $9,000 CAD. The card is not just a card; it is a token of the transcendent spirit that Orr brought to the game.
In the echelons of rarity, a piece of hockey history surfaces in the form of a game-used, team-signed Bill Barilko hockey stick from the Toronto Maple Leafs’ 1951 Stanley Cup-winning season. Decorated with Barilko’s number 5 and adorned with comrades’ signatures, this artifact stands unparalleled, woven from the fibers of victory. Valued between $3,000 to $5,000 CAD, it’s a tangible story stick of hockey heritage that collectors can cradle.
For those who adore showcasing the harmony of the past, an artful shadow box of Canadian hockey legends Maurice and Henri Richard is poised to steal hearts. Featuring rookie cards nestled next to a Louisville Pro Flex stick, a Canadiens puck, and a bronze plaque, this ensemble honors the Montreal Canadiens with an estimated value of $4,000 to $6,000 CAD.
The blissful grandeur continues with a complete set of 1964-65 Topps “Tall Boys” hockey cards. These elongated treasures, featuring titans like Gordie Howe, Bobby Hull, and Tim Horton, stand tall with their good to very good condition and beckon with an estimate of $4,000 to $6,000 CAD.
Completing this shrine of sporting nostalgia is a breathtaking 1979-80 O-Pee-Chee uncut sheet holding 226 hockey cards, featuring the untarnished marvel of Wayne Gretzky’s rookie card, #18. A rare survivor boasting just gentle signs of life’s edges, the sheet is estimated to draw $3,500 to $4,500 CAD in eager contention.
Casting his gaze over this mosaic of history, Ben Pernfuss, Consignment Director at Miller & Miller, paints a picture of this auction as a historical showcase. Reflecting on the illustrious assemblage, Pernfuss expressed, “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.”
For those with hearts pounding akin to a ninth-inning rally, the auction catalog awaits on Miller & Miller's digital stage, or alternatively, fans can dive directly into the bidding thrill via LiveAuctioneers. Known in Canada as custodians of invaluable collections, Miller & Miller Auctions are ever ready to handle sports cards with the same care and passion that collectible rookies reserve for their cherished first glove.
Mickey Mantle Rookie At Auction
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