Dust off your old baseball mitt and lace up your skates because Miller & Miller Auctions is hosting the ultimate showdown for nostalgic sports fans and dedicated card collectors. This June 22nd, prepare for a virtual treasure hunt right from the comfort of your couch as Miller & Miller rolls out a remarkable lineup of 235 lots featuring vintage sports cards and memorabilia from the golden pre-1980 era. An online-only affair, this auction is set to incite a thrilling digital bidding war, highlighting legends whose legacies have endured through generations.
The superstar of the collectibles on offer is none other than Mickey Mantle, a name that still warms the heart of any baseball aficionado. His 1952 Topps #311 rookie card, revered as the pinnacle of baseball card collecting, is sure to command center stage. Despite some well-earned battle scars (a classification of PSA 2 Good indicates the corners might have had a few collisions with a pocket or two), this card is poised to rake in an awe-inspiring sum, with expectations nestled between $40,000 and $50,000 CAD. For devout collectors, its slight wear only adds to its charm, akin to the patina on an antique, narrating tales from the diamond fields.
But Mantle isn’t shouldering the spotlight alone. Joining him is a tantalizing batch of 40 cards from Topps’ 1952 Sixth Series. Brimming with the elusive “High Numbers,” this collection extends from #311 up to #407, featuring cards that call to both seasoned collectors and newcomers alike. These celebrities of the card world, despite bearing the badges of time, are estimated to pull in $3,000 to $5,000 CAD—a pocket-friendly piece of history ready to be cherished anew.
Turning to the icy realms of hockey, where the puck drops and heroes rise, the offerings are just as enticing. Headlining here is the legendary Gordie Howe with his 1951 Parkhurst #66 rookie card—a symbol of greatness skating on thin parchment. Graded a PSA 3 Very Good, this card still possesses enough allure to inspire admiration, anticipated to fetch between $8,000 and $10,000 CAD.
Adding to the frosty festivities is hockey maestro Bobby Orr, whose 1966 Topps #35 rookie card is sure to see fervent bidding. Graded KSA 6 Excellent-Near Mint, Orr’s legacy skates effortlessly between the lines of this collector’s piece, poised to attract bids ranging from $8,000 to $9,000 CAD, and the attention of both ardent fans and savvy investors.
Imagine holding a piece of old-time Canadian hockey history: that dream becomes reality with a game-used, team-signed hockey stick wielded during the Toronto Maple Leafs’ triumphant 1951 Stanley Cup run. Belonging to Bill Barilko, this artifact is etched with Barilko’s number 5 and signatures of his fellow Leafs. It’s not merely a stick; it’s a tangible tale from the annals of hockey lore, expected to realize between $3,000 and $5,000 CAD.
For those who appreciate their relics wrapped in glass, a stunning shadow box dedicated to the Richard brothers, Maurice, and Henri, awaits discerning eyes. Arranged with neat precision, it cradles their Parkhurst rookie cards (graded KSA 4 and 3), a Louisville Pro Flex stick signed by both brothers, a Canadiens puck, and a gleaming bronze plaque, an all-encompassing homage to the foundation of Montreal Canadiens’ glory. This collector’s delight is estimated at $4,000 to $6,000 CAD.
Adding breadth and uniqueness, a comprehensive set of 110 1964-65 Topps “Tall Boys” hockey cards stands ready to awe. Known for their distinctive size and featuring giants like Gordie Howe, Bobby Hull, and Tim Horton, this assemblage carries an estimate of $4,000 to $6,000 CAD.
Finally, captivating the imagination is a 1979-80 O-Pee-Chee uncut sheet, showcasing 226 hockey cards and the stellar condition #18 Wayne Gretzky rookie card. While some minor fraying edges bear silent testament to its age, this rare specimen is forecasted to fetch $3,500 to $4,500 CAD—a testament to its enduring legacy.
Ben Pernfuss, Consignment Director at Miller & Miller, sums it up: this auction is a veritable hall of fame of sports collectibles. “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,” Pernfuss declares. Indeed, the auction catalog awaits eager bidders at Miller & Miller’s website or through LiveAuctioneers.
Miller & Miller stands painted as Canada’s stalwart auctioneer, revered for carefully curated sales of sports cards, watches, jewelry, and other precious collectibles with the precision and care akin to a rookie polishing his first game-winning ball. So mark your calendar, dive into this digital realm, and prepare to seek those cherished artifacts where the past comes alive, one bid at a time.
