In the virtual world of collectibles, where nostalgia meets investment, the upcoming Miller & Miller online auction is about to serve a feast of vintage sports memorabilia that would make even the most seasoned collectors salivate. Set to take place on June 22nd, this auction is a veritable field day for sports aficionados, with a robust menu boasting the crème de la crème of pre-1980 sports cards and memorabilia. Starring in this nostalgia-fueled spectacle: the luminaries of baseball and hockey, with Mickey Mantle, Gordie Howe, and Bobby Orr taking the spotlight.
Leading this grand assemblage is none other than Mickey Mantle’s 1952 Topps #311 rookie card. This card is legendary, known amongst collectors as the “holy grail” of baseball cards. Even as a seasoned veteran with battle-scarred edges and corners that have presumably weathered more storms than a barn in the Midwest, this card is expected to soar in the tens of thousands, with an estimated value to fetch between $40,000 and $50,000 CAD. With its PSA 2 Good grade, it might not take home the blue ribbon for mint condition, but its surfaces are still as appealing as a hot dog at a baseball game.
Mickey Mantle isn't the only heavyweight making waves at this auction. Enter the 1952 Topps Sixth Series, a group of 40 cards that round out the legendary series. These “High Numbers,” ranging from #311 to #407, despite their time-weathered appearance, are charming in their authenticity and expected to lure in bids anywhere from $3,000 to $5,000 CAD.
Switching gears from the baseball diamond to the ice rink, hockey enthusiasts are in for a treat. Enter the 1951 Parkhurst #66 Gordie Howe rookie card. In the world of ice hockey cards, this piece is akin to finding a four-leaf clover. Its PSA 3 Very Good grade might not scream perfection, but its rarity and the magnetic allure of Gordie Howe's legacy secures its bid prospects anywhere between $8,000 and $10,000 CAD.
If that doesn’t light up your scoreboard, Bobby Orr’s 1966 Topps #35 rookie card is also vying for attention. With a promising KSA 6 Excellent-Near Mint grade, it beckons to both seasoned collectors and savvy investors with estimates from $8,000 to $9,000 CAD.
Breaking the mold of traditional cards is a game-used, team-signed hockey stick from the Toronto Maple Leafs’ 1951 Stanley Cup-winning season. With Bill Barilko’s number 5 adorning it and signatures from his teammates, this stick is more than a piece of history—it's a time capsule wrapped in veneer, estimated to lane in the $3,000 to $5,000 CAD range.
On the display front, is the magnificent shadow box featuring Parkhurst rookie cards of Maurice and Henri Richard. The presentation, including a signed Louisville Pro Flex stick, a Canadiens puck, and a bronze plaque, is as much a museum exhibit as it is a collector's dream. Its appraisal looms at $4,000 to $6,000 CAD, a worthy homage to Montreal Canadiens’ history.
Another prospect guaranteed to stir interest is the full set of 110 “Tall Boys” hockey cards from 1964-65, featuring the legendary trio of Gordie Howe, Bobby Hull, and Tim Horton. Aptly named for their elongated form factor, these cards stand out—not unlike the players they feature. With a good to very good condition, this set stands to bring in between $4,000 to $6,000 CAD.
Rounding out the auction roster is a pristine, yet complete, 1979-80 O-Pee-Chee uncut sheet, boasting 226 hockey cards including a coveted #18 Wayne Gretzky rookie card. Consider this sheet a unicorn in the world of uncut sheets, promising to enchant bidders with estimates ranging from $3,500 to $4,500 CAD, edge wear notwithstanding.
As Ben Pernfuss, Consignment Director at Miller & Miller, notes, this auction is not just an event but a roll call of sports history: “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.”
With every lot, collectors and bidders alike are invited to step into a world where sports history intertwines with nostalgia and investment potential. To participate, one only needs a computer mouse and a love for the indelible charm that vintage collectibles embody. The auction is conveniently accessible for perusal at Miller & Miller’s website or live-action experience via LiveAuctioneers, proving that sometimes, history is just a click away.
Mickey Mantle Rookie At Auction
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