For the nostalgic sports lover and savvy collector, Miller & Miller’s auction feels like opening a time capsule filled with emblematic sports memorabilia. Imagine the rich aroma of history mixed with the excitement of a competitive auction as Miller & Miller Auctions unpacks its pre-1980 vintage sports buffet, right in the lap of comfort, on June 22nd. No glaring auction room lights this time; it’s a digital duel, where the clicks speak louder than the fast-paced voice of an auctioneer.
Stepping into the virtual spotlight is baseball titan Mickey Mantle, arriving with much fanfare like he did in the 1952 baseball season. The crown jewel, the 1952 Topps #311 Mantle rookie card dubbed the holy grail of baseball collectors. Though its corners have seen more than a few innings, this card, graded PSA 2 Good, is forecast to whip up a bidding storm with an estimated worth between $40,000 and $50,000 CAD. Its allure lies beyond its condition; it’s a piece of history that whispers tales of Mantle’s legendary career to anyone who strokes the edges of this cardboard nostalgia.
As if Mantle wasn’t enough to stir the baseball cauldron, there’s a tantalizing lot of 40 cards from Topps’ 1952 Sixth Series, nicknamed the “High Numbers” for their rarity. Enthusiasts with a passion for historical cardboard rectangles can add these pivotal cards, ranging from #311 Mantle to #407, to their treasure troves. Despite bearing the visible wear of their 71-year age, these cards could sprinkle anywhere from $3,000 to $5,000 CAD into Miller & Miller’s coffers.
But wait, hockey zealots, there is plenty of ice beneath this auction to carve your figurative blades into. The skating great Gordie Howe makes a guest appearance with his 1951 Parkhurst #66 rookie card, a collectible valued between $8,000 and $10,000 CAD. Showing only signs of graceful aging with a PSA 3 Very Good rating, this card is the headline act of the Parkhurst series, reflecting Howe’s on-ice elegance.
Not to neglect the puck prowess of another legend, Bobby Orr’s 1966 Topps #35 rookie card slides onto the scene. With a rating of KSA 6 Excellent-Near Mint, Orr’s card is poised to double-deke its way into the hearts of collectors at an estimated $8,000 to $9,000 CAD. The fervor it generates won’t just appeal to those donning imaginary skates in their living rooms but also serious investors eyeing a lucrative acquisition.
Against this backdrop of player icons, a unique piece surfaces – a game-used, team-signed Bill Barilko hockey stick from Toronto’s 1951 Stanley Cup-winning season. More than just wood and ink, it’s a relic of triumph and tragedy, sporting Barilko’s number 5 and telling tales of ’51’s hockey triumvirate. Expected to command $3,000 to $5,000 CAD, it’s a one-of-a-kind historical souvenir for connoisseurs with a taste for mythology wrapped in splinters.
For those who find harmony in blended displays, a shadow box compiling Parkhurst rookie cards for Maurice and Henri Richard awaits admiration. Encased within a 24-inch by 72-inch frame are graded cards (KSA 4 for Maurice and KSA 3 for Henri), alongside a Pro Flex stick with signatures, a Canadiens puck, and a bronze plaque. This sacred shrine of Montreal Canadiens history is anticipated to captivate enough reverence to summon $4,000 to $6,000 CAD.
No card auction worth its salt could pass without a nod to card configuration classics: a complete set of 110 1964-65 Topps “Tall Boys.” Named whimsically for their unusual stature, these cards spotlight heroes such as Howe, Bobby Hull, and Tim Horton. Set conditioned in good to very good realms, the potential $4,000 to $6,000 CAD it might bring frames it as a worthy acquisition.
And finally, fans of the Great One shouldn’t miss this: an uncut sheet of 226 O-Pee-Chee hockey cards, starring a pristine #18 Wayne Gretzky rookie card. With minor edge wear, this sheet is a rarity that even the best Gretzky cross-ice pass couldn’t match. Its beckoning estimate of $3,500 to $4,500 CAD is likely to echo through collector’s circles long after the auction concludes.
Ben Pernfuss, Consignment Director at Miller & Miller, enthusiastically heralds this auction as a celebration of sports history, calling out to collectors with an array of iconic items from hallowed baseball and hockey sets that defined eras. For anyone with a heart captivated by the tales told by these legendary players, Miller & Miller’s auction catalog accessible via their website, awaits. Whether for investment or passion, the opportunity to possess these historical gems is next only to witnessing Mantle hit a home run, Howe score off a breakaway, or Orr sliding effortlessly on ice – nothing short of legendary.