Picture this: a treasure trove of nostalgia is set to be unlocked with Miller & Miller’s online auction, promising an adrenaline-fueled journey through sports history, where the old-school cool reigns supreme. In a delightful juxtaposition of pixels and paper, sports enthusiasts and card collectors alike will be glued to their screens on June 22nd for this virtual expedition.
Grab your finest jersey and brace yourself for a heart-pounding slice of Americana, where revered figures like Mickey Mantle, Gordie Howe, and Bobby Orr are the marquee attractions amidst a dazzling array of pre-1980 sports memorabilia. A playground for collectors and fans alike, this online-only auction bears the promise of turning simple sports cards into the crown jewels of any carefully curated collection.
Leading the lineup is the great Mickey Mantle, a name that for anyone with even a passing interest in baseball conjures images of iconic Yankee pinstripes clashing with the lore of mythical on-field feats. The stage is set for his rookie card from the 1952 Topps collection to be the darling of the auction. This PSA 2 Good graded card is potentially poised to fetch north of $40,000 CAD. Sure, the corners have weathered the caprices of time, but beneath its worn attire lies the lore of baseball’s golden era—and that’s a potent potion for any collector or die-hard fan.
Accompanying Mantle on this magic carpet ride through the annals of baseball is a rare ensemble of Topps’ 1952 “High Numbers,” including card selections that rank from #311 to #407. This collection might bear the patina of age with signs of damage, but its historical significance promises a captivating blend of competitive bidding and trips down memory lane. With estimates between $3,000 and $5,000 CAD, these cards represent tangible chapters of baseball’s storied past.
Venturing off the diamond and onto the ice, Miller & Miller doesn’t skip a beat. Hockey aficionados will be treated to a legendary Gordie Howe rookie card, the 1951 Parkhurst #66, expected to transition from virtual paddles to wallets for about $8,000 to $10,000 CAD. Sure, it winks at the past from its PSA 3 Very Good grading, but even so, it retains the unmistakable charisma that makes it a gem of the 1951-52 Parkhurst series.
Meanwhile, Bobby Orr’s 1966 Topps #35 rookie card, graded KSA 6 for Excellent-Near Mint, emerges as another vibrant narrative of hockey history. With value estimates between $8,000 and $9,000 CAD, it stands ready to whisk bidders into the gloved hands of this legendary Boston Bruin’s illustrious career.
Yet the allure of this auction isn’t confined to mere cards. Some artifacts transcend even the most exquisite of profiles; enter Bill Barilko’s game-used, team-signed hockey stick from the Toronto Maple Leafs’ 1951 Stanley Cup-winning season. The stick, marked by Barilko’s number 5 and his teammates’ signatures, is more than just a historical relic. It's a testament to hard-fought wins and shared locker room camaraderie. With an estimate of $3,000 to $5,000 CAD, it invites collectors to own a wooden slice of sports folklore.
Then, we have an enchanting shadow box featuring Parkhurst rookie cards of Maurice and Henri Richard. The set expands to include a Louisville Pro Flex stick autographed by both brothers, a Canadiens puck, and a bronze plaque—capturing a storied saga of Canadiens’ dominance. This bundle of history in shadow box form is anticipated to rake in $4,000 to $6,000 CAD.
Continuing to expand the breadth of offerings is a complete set of the 1964-65 Topps “Tall Boys” cards, including names like Gordie Howe, Bobby Hull, and Tim Horton—all giants in the realm of ice-bound battles. At an estimate of $4,000 to $6,000 CAD, these cards stretch beyond their physical dimensions to embody the legends they represent.
Additionally, and offering a contemporary twist, is a 1979-80 O-Pee-Chee uncut sheet featuring none other than Wayne Gretzky's rookie card. This sheet, pristinely preserved with only minor edge wear, is a unicorn in the realm of sports cards, expecting bids between $3,500 and $4,500 CAD.
Ben Pernfuss, the maestro of consignments at Miller & Miller, aptly sums up the allure: “Collectors will find key cards from groundbreaking sets such as the 1951 Parkhurst hockey and 1952 Topps baseball, epitomizing some of the most iconic names in sports.” And iconic, indeed, this collection is.
For those tempted to either bat or whistle a tune of nostalgia, the auction catalog is a mere click away on Miller & Miller’s website. Or better yet, dive into the auction fray via LiveAuctioneers. Loaded with the sagas of yesteryears, this is more than an auction—it's a ticket back in time.
Mickey Mantle Rookie At Auction
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