In the world of sports collectibles, few events create as much buzz as Miller & Miller's upcoming auction on June 22nd. As the digital gavel prepares to strike, collectors brace themselves for an all-out bidding war. With no in-person shouting or frenzied paddle raising, this is strictly an online affair, but the stakes are just as high. The lineup consists of a tantalizing 235 lots of pre-1980 sports cards and memorabilia, each a portal to the past and an opportunity to own a slice of sporting history.
Leading the charge is the veritable crown jewel of baseball cards — the 1952 Topps #311 Mickey Mantle rookie card. Revered by collectors everywhere, this card is a clash of nostalgia and admiration, despite its roughened corners and "PSA 2 Good" grade. Valued between $40,000 and $50,000 CAD, it promises to ignite competitive bids, making dreams come true for one lucky enthusiast prepared to splash out for history.
Yet Mantle isn't alone in his quest for the spotlight; he's flanked by his contemporaries in the renowned Topps’ 1952 Sixth Series. These cards, stretching from #311 to #407, are the pinnacle for any collector’s stash. Despite a few wrinkles of time, they’re estimated to bring in $3,000 to $5,000 CAD. Truly a tantalizing opportunity to delve into baseball's golden era.
The sporting spectacle doesn’t stop at baseball, however. Hockey fans have their reasons to cheer, as Gordie Howe and Bobby Orr make grand appearances. The 1951 Parkhurst #66 Gordie Howe rookie card, graced by a respectable "PSA 3 Very Good" grade, anticipates a final price tag somewhere between $8,000 and $10,000 CAD. It may not be museum-pedigree, but its allure is undeniable.
Then we have the legendary Bobby Orr with his 1966 Topps #35 rookie card. Flaunting a KSA 6 Excellent-Near Mint grade, it is fervently sought after by those with a nose for prestige and a heart for hockey. This card is projected to fetch between $8,000 and $9,000 CAD, but the memories it awakens, for sellers and buyers alike, are priceless.
In a showcase of collectible whimsy, a genuine heavyweight emerges: a game-used, team-signed Bill Barilko hockey stick. This historic piece, adorned with Barilko's number 5 and imprinted with team signatures from the Toronto Maple Leafs’ victorious 1951 Stanley Cup season, offers a tangible connection to a storied past. Estimated at $3,000 to $5,000 CAD, this relic will undoubtedly earn its share of the spotlight.
For those with a penchant for grandeur, a shadow box featuring Parkhurst rookie cards for Maurice and Henri Richard awaits. Coupled with a dual signatory Louisville Pro Flex stick, a Canadiens puck, and a bronze plaque, it forms a 24-inch by 72-inch tableau of Montreal Canadiens magic, anticipated to command between $4,000 and $6,000 CAD.
Further staples of hockey history emerge with the complete 1964-65 Topps “Tall Boys” set — nodding to their unorthodox dimensions as much as their archival status. Encompassing icons like Gordie Howe, Bobby Hull, and Tim Horton, this set, maintained in good to very good condition, is forecasted at $4,000 to $6,000 CAD.
A final masterpiece tops the collection: a 1979-80 O-Pee-Chee uncut sheet, boasting impeccable cards — including a rookie Wayne Gretzky. Amid dormant excitement, this pristine #18 card, though surrounded by minor edge wear, expects a finish of $3,500 to $4,500 CAD, encapsulating the thrill of the find.
Ben Pernfuss, Consignment Director at Miller & Miller, sums up the auction’s essence: "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." Enthusiastic bidders will converge online through LiveAuctioneers or visit Miller & Miller's website to peruse the catalog and engage in the excitement as the event proceeds in true millennial fashion — entirely online.
Miller & Miller Auctions, trusted throughout Canada and beyond, continues to curate collections with the reverence and meticulous care reserved for the most cherished of collectibles. Here lies a golden opportunity to seize sports history, one bid at a time.
Mickey Mantle Rookie At Auction
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