Sports enthusiasts and card aficionados alike are about to embark on a virtual treasure hunt, as Miller & Miller Auctions rolls out an irresistible smorgasbord of vintage collectibles on June 22nd. In this online-exclusive sale, absent of the usual in-person banter, bidders will square off in cyber space to lay their hands on 235 lots that epitomize the golden era of sports collectibles, all dating back to the pre-1980 period.
Stealing the limelight is none other than Mickey Mantle, whose 1952 Topps #311 rookie card is akin to the Mount Everest of baseball cards. Even with its corners showing a few battle scars, this "holy grail" is expected to command a price tag somewhere between $40,000 and $50,000 CAD. Graded as PSA 2 Good, this piece of cardboard has stood the test of time better than a lot of New Year’s resolutions, with its surface and edges remaining as solid as a Mantle home run.
Not willing to let Mantle have all the fame, the auction features a cache of 40 cards from the Topps 1952 Sixth Series. These “High Numbers,” ranging from #311 Mantle to #407, serve as the crème de la crème for this storied set, even if their condition reflects more of a heart-pounding game than a leisurely day at the ballpark. Estimated to fetch between $3,000 to $5,000 CAD, they offer a nostalgic portal to collectors craving a tangible slice of hobby history.
On the ice hockey front, the sale is equally dazzling. The illustrious 1951 Parkhurst #66 Gordie Howe rookie card promises to slide into someone’s collection at an anticipated $8,000 to $10,000 CAD. Graded PSA 3 Very Good, it may not be destined for a museum showcase, but it certainly maintains the allure of wearing the number nine jersey on a starry Canadian winter night. As this card represents the shining gem of the 1951-52 Parkhurst release, expect aficionados to aggressively stick-handle their way to winning it.
Another gem for the hockey aficionados is the rookie card of Bobby Orr. The 1966 Topps #35 card, holding a grade of KSA 6 Excellent-Near Mint, is set to tickle the fancy of collectors and serious investors alike with estimates running from $8,000 to $9,000 CAD. It's a snapshot of sporting brilliance as thrilling as Orr's legendary flying goal celebration.
Venturing further into the blend of rarity and history, the auction presents a one-of-a-kind Bill Barilko game-used, team-signed hockey stick from the Toronto Maple Leafs’ 1951 Stanley Cup-winning season. Decorated with Barilko's number and autographs from his teammates, this artifact is a tangible echo of an iconic hockey legend and is slated to hover between $3,000 to $5,000 CAD in value. It’s a blast from the past that’s worthy of carrying its own tales.
A display of nostalgia par excellence features a shadow box laden with Parkhurst rookie cards of Maurice and Henri Richard. Graded KSA 4 and 3 respectively, this 24-inch by 72-inch monument to hockey history also showcases a Louisville Pro Flex stick autographed by the celebrated siblings, a Canadiens puck, and a bronze plaque. The box, estimated at $4,000 to $6,000 CAD, serves as a three-dimensional love letter to the storied Montreal Canadiens legacy.
For the collectors with a penchant for complete sets, the auction provides a complete deck of 1964-65 Topps “Tall Boys” hockey cards — their extensions a tribute to legends like Gordie Howe, Bobby Hull, and Tim Horton. With an overall grade from good to very good, this celebratory batch is eyed at $4,000 to $6,000 CAD and pays homage to the towering memories of hockey’s golden days.
Finally, there’s an uncut sheet of 226 hockey cards from the 1979-80 O-Pee-Chee season, spotlighting a pristine #18 Wayne Gretzky rookie card. This rare collectible, despite conceding a bit of wear along its edges, could be the pride and joy of an ardent Gretzky fan, expected to attract $3,500 to $4,500 CAD.
Ben Pernfuss, the Consignment Director at Miller & Miller, paints the auction as a panorama of sporting history, portraying this event as a rendezvous of high-profile names from the iconic 1951 Parkhurst hockey and 1952 Topps baseball sets. For those geared up to dive into this world of sporting excellence, the auction catalogue awaits their perusal on Miller & Miller’s website, or they can jump into the fast pace of bidding via LiveAuctioneers.
With an impressive lineup ready to tickle the fancy of collectors and investors worldwide, Miller & Miller Auctions continues to stand firm as Canada’s watchful custodians of high-value treasures, unfaltering in their dedication to delivering only the finest in collectibles, with the care and precision akin to a rookie player guarding their first glove.
Mickey Mantle Rookie At Auction
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