A collective flutter of excitement is sweeping through the realms of sports fans and memorabilia collectors as Miller & Miller Auctions prepares to launch an exhilarating online soirée of vintage treasures. Set for June 22nd, this internet-exclusive auction offers a round-up of pre-1980 sports cards and memorabilia that could make even the most seasoned collectors catch their breath. There’s no need to brush off the old tuxedo or polish grandma’s pearls for this event—just a few clicks, a sprinkle of adrenaline, and perhaps a steady internet connection is all you need.
Taking center stage in this veritable showcase of athletic prestige is none other than the fabled Mickey Mantle, a name whispered through generations like the Holy Grail of baseball treasures. Up for grabs is the 1952 Topps #311 Mantle rookie card. It’s the kind of find that sends shivers down the spine of any baseball enthusiast. Although this iconic piece won’t win any beauty contests with its PSA 2 Good rating—those corners look like they’ve lived a full life of baseball glory—the card’s allure remains undiminished. Touted to fetch between $40,000 and $50,000 CAD, this piece is likely to spark a bidding frenzy reminiscent of Mantle’s fan-filled games.
Adding to the baseball card spectacle is a collection of 40 cards from the elusive 1952 Topps Sixth Series set, which includes the highest of the high numbers—Mickey Mantle’s #311 to card #407. Even with pronounced signs of wear and the loving creases of history, these cards are pure cocoa butter for card collectors with estimates ranging from $3,000 to $5,000 CAD. This isn’t just an opportunity to own a piece of cardboard; it’s a chance to clinch a tangible slice of sports history.
But let’s skate a lap around hockey, for it’s equally starring in this narrative of sporting relics. Gracing the digital auction block is the 1951 Parkhurst #66 Gordie Howe rookie card, poised to add a touch of grace and grit to any collection. Sporting a dignified PSA 3 Very Good grade, it stands ready to command between $8,000 and $10,000 CAD. Perhaps its very presence recalls the sleek and swift elegance that Howe brought to the rink, making it an irresistible allure for the hockey enthusiast.
Further tilting the ice in the favor of nostalgia is Bobby Orr’s 1966 Topps #35 rookie card, graded KSA 6 Excellent-Near Mint. With estimates from $8,000 to $9,000 CAD, this card is primed to pump the blood of both hockey fervents and investment-savvy collectors nationwide.
Among the more idiosyncratic gems of this auction is a team-signed, game-used Bill Barilko hockey stick, dating back to the Toronto Maple Leafs’ billowing victory in the 1951 Stanley Cup. Adorned with Barilko’s number 5 and the signatures of his compatriots, it’s as much a part of hockey folklore as a ghost story around the campfire. Valued between $3,000 and $5,000 CAD, it’s a relic with tales to tell.
Should the Canadian spirit move you, don’t overlook the shadow box ensemble featuring Maurice and Henri Richard’s Parkhurst rookie cards. Graded at KSA 4 and 3, respectively, the sumptuous 24-inch by 72-inch display includes a signed Louisville Pro Flex stick, a Canadiens puck, and a bronze plaque. This emblem of Montreal Canadiens’ legacy could be your home’s piece of history, estimated at $4,000 to $6,000 CAD.
Unveiling the full measure of wonder is the 1964–65 Topps “Tall Boys” hockey card set. Known for their statuesque size, these cards feature legends like Howe, Hull, and Horton, with an expectation to bring between $4,000 and $6,000 CAD. They’re not just cards; they’re towering tributes etched onto cardboard.
And in a final flourish worthy of the Great One himself, there’s a pristine 1979-80 O-Pee-Chee uncut sheet featuring a Wayne Gretzky rookie card. Though it’s kissed with minor edge wear, the sheet remains a survivor—a paper phoenix with a rarity estimated at $3,500 to $4,500 CAD.
Ben Pernfuss, Consignment Director at Miller & Miller, likens this assemblage of cards and memorabilia to a “who’s who of sports history,” offering collectors key highlights from the landmark releases of the 1951 Parkhurst and 1952 Topps sets.
Collectors and sports enthusiasts alike can revel in the anticipation on Miller & Miller’s website or by joining the bidding elsewhere online. Known for managing high-value collections like a novice treats their precious, fragile glove, Miller & Miller shines brightly in the realm of trusted sellers.
Whether you’re an armchair historian or a fervent fan mulling over which treasured card to welcome into your fold, this auction is more than a sale—it’s a celebration of sporting achievement and the memories that continue to ride upon those time-honored wooden sticks and faded cardboard legends.
