Step right up, sports fans and card connoisseurs—Miller & Miller Auctions is set to unleash a veritable time machine of a sale come June 22nd. This virtual auction extravaganza might not come with the glitz of a red carpet event, but expect the digital equivalent as the world’s most ardent collectors ready their paddles for a cyber showdown. On the lineup? Some of the most significant figures from the annals of baseball and hockey, solidly preserved on 235 lots of pre-1980 sports cards and memorabilia, waiting to find their new sports-revering homes.
Leading the charge is none other than one of baseball's most celebrated figures, Mickey Mantle. Long hailed as the rookie card that launched a thousand dreams, the 1952 Topps #311 Mantle is vying for center stage. Even a somewhat battered version of this card holds currency that could make a Wall Street banker nod in approval. Expected to garner an impressive $40,000 to $50,000 CAD, this PSA 2 Good rated card—with corners reminiscent of a season-ending slide, yet maintaining a stoic surface—is a beacon for fervent bidders.
But lest you think Mantle is flying solo in this opera of sporting legends, rest assured, there's an entire army of celebrated ball players ready to back him up. Additionally showcased is a set of 40 cards from the 1952 Topps Sixth Series—the much sought-after "High Numbers." Considered the limited edition prints of their time, these cards—even though the wear and tear of sports history have left their marks—could still collectively fetch between $3,000 to $5,000 CAD. For any avid collector, it's akin to discovering the proverbial pot of gold at the end of a decades-old rainbow.
On the ice, things are just as feverish with an offering that would melt even the iciest of hockey hearts: a 1951 Parkhurst #66 Gordie Howe rookie card. Expected to rake in between $8,000 and $10,000 CAD, this PSA 3 Very Good rated piece remains an enigmatic gem from the 1951-52 Parkhurst set, projecting allure like a legendary slap shot.
Bobby Orr, a name synonymous with the golden era of hockey, crashes this party too, with his 1966 Topps #35 rookie card making an appearance. Graded at KSA 6 Excellent-Near Mint, it's an item likely to arrest the ambitions of fanatical fans and savvy investors alike, with its value pegged between $8,000 and $9,000 CAD.
If you love a story behind your collectible, then how about a game-used, team-signed Bill Barilko hockey stick from the victorious 1951 Stanley Cup Toronto Maple Leafs season? Adorned with Barilko’s number 5 and signatures from an array of teammates, this stick is the physical embodiment of a legendary season. Priced at an estimated $3,000 to $5,000 CAD, it’s a relic that sticks out (pun intended) as one-of-a-kind.
For those with a penchant for displays that wow, behold a shadow box that houses Parkhurst rookie cards from the legendary Maurice and Henri Richard. Graded KSA 4 and 3 respectively, complemented with a Louisville Pro Flex stick bearing signatures of both brothers, a Canadiens puck, and a bronze plaque, this 24-inch by 72-inch masterpiece could adorn the abode of any diehard Montreal Canadiens fan for an estimated $4,000 to $6,000 CAD.
Let’s not overlook a complete set of the 1964-65 Topps “Tall Boys” hockey cards—a moniker earned from their elongated proportions. Featuring icons like Gordie Howe and Bobby Hull, this set stands in good to very good condition, and much like those athletes' careers, is seeking elevation at $4,000 to $6,000 CAD.
And the crown jewel for any modern hockey card collector is the 1979-80 O-Pee-Chee uncut sheet housing 226 cards, including a minty Wayne Gretzky rookie card. Despite its minor edge imperfections, this veritable antiquity is on track to command bids ranging from $3,500 to $4,500 CAD.
Ben Pernfuss, Consignment Director at Miller & Miller, sums it up with all the enthusiasm of a home run call: “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.” For those itching to get in on the action, the auction catalog is available on the Miller & Miller website, with opportunities to participate via LiveAuctioneers.
Canada’s revered consignor of high-value collections, Miller & Miller once again proves they can handle sports cards with the tenderness a rookie shows his very first glove. So, sharpen those bidding skills, for history doesn’t just repeat itself—it often comes framed and up for auction.
Mickey Mantle Rookie At Auction
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