Prepare yourself for a nostalgic trip down memory lane and a heart-racing auction experience all bundled into one, as Miller & Miller Auctions gears up to unleash a treasure trove of pre-1980 sports cards and memorabilia on June 22nd. Sports enthusiasts, memorabilia collectors, and anyone who loves a ramped-up round of digital deal-making have the chance to vie for vintage gems through this exclusive online-only auction that boasts a remarkable lineup consisting of 235 lots of history-laden collectibles.
At the glamorous top of the lineup is the legendary Mickey Mantle, whose name is as synonymous with baseball as sunshine with summer. Iconically reigning supreme is the 1952 Topps #311 Mickey Mantle rookie card, often hailed as the pinnacle of baseball card collecting. This card, with its gloriously rich history and revered status, remains a crown jewel even when showing a bit of love from time and handling. The card, graded PSA 2 Good, signifies the tell-tale signs of wear with corners having undoubtedly anchored themselves in the legends of past games and enthusiasts’ collections. But don’t let those slightly tired corners fool you—estimated at an enticing $40,000 to $50,000 CAD, this piece remains a beacon of baseball lore that promises to spark a mesmerizing bidding-turned buying adventure.
But Mantle isn’t alone on this stage of heroes. Joining the foray is a compelling ensemble of 40 cards from the blazingly elusive Topps’ 1952 Sixth Series. These hard-to-come-by “High Numbers,” stretching opulently from card #311 through #407, represent the quintessence of prestige within this storied collection. Despite age-imposed blemishes and visible wear that bear testimony to their cherished previous ownerships, these cards are expected to attract bids within the range of $3,000 to $5,000 CAD. Undoubtedly, these cards stand as prized keys to unlocking long-forgotten tales from the world of baseball.
Swinging the spotlight from the diamond, the cool, glacial allure of ice rinks calls the devoted with an equally glittering array of hockey artifacts. Making waves in the auction is the 1951 Parkhurst #66 Gordie Howe rookie card, an anticipated darling of the auction rink with estimations stretching towards $8,000 to $10,000 CAD. Graded PSA 3 Very Good, this card glows with untold narratives from its past decades, offering more than visual appeal—it symbolizes a piece of the legendary Gordie’s illustrious career and an epoch of hockey history encased in parchment.
Not to be overshadowed in the least, hockey titan Bobby Orr’s 1966 Topps #35 rookie card, splendidly graded KSA 6 Excellent-Near Mint, holds its own as a potential heavyweight champ of auction interest. Drawing in estimations between $8,000 and $9,000 CAD, this treasure bears the prestige of Orr’s groundbreaking defensive prowess, interwoven within its glossy façade.
For those with a penchant for quirks and sporting anecdotes, a unique artifact in the shape of Bill Barilko’s game-used hockey stick promises to stir heartstrings and open wallets alike. Oral tales of swishing ice and breathtaking plays accompany this singular gem from the Toronto Maple Leafs’ exalted 1951 Stanley Cup-winning season. With autographs from Barilko and his triumphant teammates etched into its very grain, this $3,000 to $5,000 CAD-valued stick whispers hockey heritage with every curve.
Cannily designed for the visually fierce collector, a shadow box adorned with rookie cards of Maurice and Henri Richard curates moments in sanguine Habs history. Nestled alongside a signature-laden Louisville Pro Flex stick, Canadiens puck, and bronze plaque, this arrangement, framed with artistic precision, projects an aura of modern art-meets-sport reevaluated between $4,000 to $6,000 CAD.
Collecting legacy cards doesn’t end here. A complete collection of 110 cards from the distinctively elongated 1964-65 Topps “Tall Boys” set is stationed, eagerly awaiting appraisal. Spotlighting notorious legends like Gordie Howe, Bobby Hull, and Tim Horton, this majestic set brims with nostalgia and is posited at $4,000 to $6,000 CAD.
Topping off the nostalgia-fest is an almost pristine 1979-80 O-Pee-Chee uncut sheet of 226 hockey cards, starring the virtually worshipped #18 Wayne Gretzky rookie card. This artifact, showing mild marks of age, is poised to earn accolades estimated at $3,500 to $4,500 CAD.
In the words of Ben Pernfuss, the esteemed Consignment Director at Miller & Miller, this auction rounds up a formidable assembly from the annals of sports greatness: “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.”
Whether you’re an impassioned collector, a curious historian, or simply someone unique enough to appreciate the rhythm of sporting history, there awaits an online auction teeming with legends both in memory and cardboard form. Leap onto the virtual pitch at Miller & Miller, or engage in this capitvating ceremony through LiveAuctioneers—you may just gain possession of a piece of timeless sports storytelling.
