As the virtual gavel swings and clicks into action, sports fans and card collectors everywhere are primed for an auction that promises to bring the nostalgia of classic baseball and hockey legends roaring back to vivid life. Miller & Miller Auctions is set to whet the appetites of vintage card enthusiasts with an online-only sale happening on June 22nd. This cyber showdown hosts 235 lots of pre-1980s sports cards and memorabilia.
Taking center stage in this all-star lineup is none other than Mickey Mantle, a name that whispers through baseball lore like a myth dressed in pinstripes. The unforgettable 1952 Topps #311 Mantle rookie card, famous amongst collectors as the “holy grail” of baseball cards, is up for bids. Even in its “PSA 2 Good” form, which suggests it’s been handled and cherished over the years, it retains a staggering charm. With its surface and edges still standing their ground, the card is estimated to sell for a handsome sum ranging between $40,000 to $50,000 CAD. For serious collectors, such an item is worth every penny of the hype and frenzy it generates, akin to Mantle’s powerful swing.
If Mantle’s legend looms over the diamond, he’s certainly not alone. A formidable ally comes in the form of 40 cards from the Topps’ 1952 Sixth Series, famously known as the “High Numbers.” This collection, spanning #311 to #407, is comprised of greats whose very mention brings a divine aura to baseball history. Even when showing signs that bear witness to countless games of pitch and catch (a bit of damage or heavy wear), these cards maintain their heft, expected to collectively draw between $3,000 to $5,000 CAD. It’s an opportunity for connoisseurs to own a slice of America’s pastime.
Shifting from bats to pucks, the auction floor welcomes hockey enthusiasts with equally enticing offerings. The crown jewel for the ice rink aficionados? A Gordie Howe rookie card from the 1951 Parkhurst set. Though graded at PSA 3 Very Good, suggesting it’s felt the cool breeze of the Zamboni a few too many times, its significance is undiminished. This piece, highlighting Howe’s charismatic career beginnings, could lure a bid between $8,000 to $10,000 CAD.
Now, if hockey royalty needs further representation, there’s Bobby Orr’s 1966 Topps #35 rookie card, flaunting a KSA 6 Excellent-Near Mint status. A centerpiece of any serious collection, this card is expected to attract zealous suitors alongside the financial clout of $8,000 to $9,000 CAD. It’s as though Orr himself is dashing across the rink in his prime, captivating audiences once more with effortless grace and power.
Beyond the cards exhibiting youth and potential, the auction presents historical treasures. Among these is a team-signed, game-used hockey stick from the Toronto Maple Leafs’ legendary 1951 Stanley Cup-winning season. This stick, bearing Bill Barilko’s fabled number 5 and his teammates’ signatures, is a sacred relic of hockey’s golden era. It’s predicted to fetch $3,000 to $5,000 CAD, a testament to its unique place in sports history.
For those inclined towards grand displays, a shadow box display awaits, showcasing Parkhurst rookie cards of Maurice and Henri Richard. Adding to its splendor, a Louisville Pro Flex stick with both Richard brothers’ autographs, a Canadiens puck, and a bronze plaque join them within this 24-inch by 72-inch frame. A captivating fragment of Montreal Canadiens lore, this collection is set to inspire bids of $4,000 to $6,000 CAD.
In addition, the auction parades a complete set of 110 towering 1964-65 Topps “Tall Boys” hockey cards. Living up to their name with their elongated dimensions, these cards memorialize legends like Gordie Howe, Bobby Hull, and Tim Horton. Graded in good to very good condition, this collection is positioned to invite bids within the $4,000 to $6,000 CAD range.
Perhaps the rarest spectacle in this spectacle-infused event is a 1979-80 O-Pee-Chee uncut sheet comprising 226 pristine hockey cards, featuring the Wayne Gretzky rookie card. Despite minor edge wear, this rarity is estimated to score high, predicted to achieve $3,500 to $4,500 CAD.
Ben Pernfuss, the Consignment Director for Miller & Miller Auctions, expresses that the auction is a virtual “who’s who” of sports glory. Emphasizing the pivotal cards from the 1951 Parkhurst and 1952 Topps sets, he highlights the presence of unparalleled names that shaped sport’s history. For those thirsting to be part of the action, the auction catalog awaits discovery on Miller & Miller’s digital floor, with bids ready to tango at LiveAuctioneers.
Canada’s trusted auction house for high-value collections, Miller & Miller, brings to the field not just sports cards but echoes the care a rookie shows his beloved first glove.