Attention all sports enthusiasts and aficionados of nostalgic treasures! Get ready to prime your bidding paddles as Miller & Miller Auctions sets the pitch for an enthralling online auction on June 22nd, offering a dazzling lineup of pre-1980 sports cards and memorabilia from the titans of baseball and hockey. Whether you're a seasoned collector or a rookie card enthusiast, this event is where you want to be — albeit virtually, as it’s an online-only affair. Here’s a sneak peek into some of the collectible gems coming under the hammer.
The crown jewel of this illustrious assembly is undeniably the 1952 Topps #311 Mickey Mantle rookie card, a true beacon in the hallowed halls of baseball card lore. Often heralded as baseball card collecting’s Holy Grail, this piece commands attention with an expected estimate ranging from $40,000 to $50,000 CAD. Its PSA 2 Good grade may whisper tales of well-loved moments, with a little roughness around the corners indicative of its storied past, yet the solid surface and edges ensure it remains a coveted prize. For fervent collectors, this card radiates enough allure to spark an intense bidding competition.
But the spotlight isn’t solely on Mantle. From the same revered 1952 Topps set comes a brigade of 40 cards from what collectors reverently dub the “High Numbers” series, extending from card #311 to #407. These relics of a bygone era exhibit the charm of history’s tender caresses, featuring everything from subtle scuffs to noticeable wear and tear. Yet their scarcity and significance make them treasures worth seeking, with estimates placing their collective value between $3,000 to $5,000 CAD.
Maintaining the heartbeat of this auction is a foray into the icy world of hockey memorabilia. On the hockey front, the spotlight swings to none other than Gordie Howe. His 1951 Parkhurst #66 rookie card, holding a PSA 3 Very Good grade, is poised to capture between $8,000 to $10,000 CAD. It might not be destined to repose in a museum, yet its robust visual appeal and status as the crown jewel of the 1951-52 Parkhurst set make it irresistible.
Then there’s the appearance of Bobby Orr's 1966 Topps #35 rookie card, geared to turn the heads of hockey mavens and investment-savvy bidders alike. Graced with a KSA 6 Excellent-Near Mint ranking, it presents another tantalizing treasure at an estimated value of $8,000 to $9,000 CAD.
Stepping aside from card-dominated offerings for a moment, there stands a singular artifact: a team-signed, game-used hockey stick from the Toronto Maple Leafs' 1951 Stanley Cup-winning season, featuring Bill Barilko’s number 5 and decked with signatures from his teammates. This distinctive relic beckons from the pages of history with an estimate of $3,000 to $5,000 CAD.
Similarly intriguing is a visually stunning shadow box of Parkhurst rookie cards highlighting Maurice and Henri Richard. Graded KSA 4 and 3, respectively, these fragments of Montreal Canadiens heritage find themselves nestled alongside a signed Louisville Pro Flex stick, a Canadiens puck, and an emblematic bronze plaque. This piece holds an estimate of $4,000 to $6,000 CAD.
Moreover, a full assembly of the 1964-65 Topps “Tall Boys” hockey cards makes its grand entrance. Notable for their extra-long aesthetic, these cards cover legends like Gordie Howe, Bobby Hull, and Tim Horton, and possess an estimated worth of $4,000 to $6,000 CAD, graded in good to very good condition.
Rounding out this roster is something truly special — a 1979-80 O-Pee-Chee uncut sheet of 226 hockey cards, featuring none other than Wayne Gretzky’s rookie card as a highlight. Although it shows some minor edge wear, this rare sheet stands as a splendid survivor of its time, with an estimate hovering around $3,500 to $4,500 CAD.
Ben Pernfuss, the Consignment Director at Miller & Miller, eloquently encapsulates the event, stating it as a parade of sports history with key regions and revered icons from the 1951 Parkhurst and 1952 Topps series leading the charge. It’s an opportunity for collectors to seize profound pieces of the sporting narrative.
Prospective bidders are encouraged to explore this tantalizing catalog brimming with sports history at Miller & Miller’s website, or to participate real-time via LiveAuctioneers. Known across Canada as the go-to auction house for valuable collections, Miller & Miller Auctions assures to cradle each piece with the same tender care as a rookie’s very first glove.
Mickey Mantle Rookie At Auction
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