If you ever wondered what a sports card collector’s paradise might look like, imagine a virtual gallery filled with the hallmarks of athletic legend, all displayed like jewels ready to be snatched up by the highest bidder. Such is the scene at the upcoming Miller & Miller Auctions event, where a trove of pre-1980 sports memorabilia will go under the digital hammer on June 22nd. This online-only auction is akin to a Netflix release for sports aficionados—no need to queue at the storied auction houses when you can participate in this celebration of sporting history right from your living room.
The undisputed headliner at this event is none other than the legendary Mickey Mantle. If baseball cards were wines, Mantle’s 1952 Topps #311 would be akin to a vintage Château Lafite, coveted by connoisseurs and commanding a price to match. Though it’s been around the block with a PSA 2 Good grade—some corners rounded from love—the card is still expected to strike between $40,000 and $50,000 CAD. It’s a testament to Mantle’s enduring allure that his rookie card remains the dream piece in endless collector wish lists, ready to spark a fevered bidding war.
Keeping Mickey company in this treasure chest of nostalgia are forty cards from Topps’ 1952 Sixth Series, better known among hobbyists as the “High Numbers.” This assortment parades collectible riches from card #311 to #407—despite showing the character of their years, these relics of baseball lore are estimated to fetch between $3,000 and $5,000 CAD. It’s an incredible opportunity for card collectors looking to complete or embellish a prized set with historic significance.
The fare for hockey enthusiasts is equally tantalizing. Front and center is the 1951 Parkhurst #66 Gordie Howe rookie card, positioned to attract offers between $8,000 and $10,000 CAD. Gordie’s card stands as a beacon of hockey history, grading at PSA 3 Very Good, capturing the essence of the “Mr. Hockey” era with undeniable eye appeal. Any serious collector’s heart will skip a beat at the prospect of owning this hallmark of the golden age of ice.
Among the icy brows of legends, Bobby Orr’s 1966 Topps #35 rookie card makes a dignified appearance. Graded KSA 6 Excellent-Near Mint, it’s sure to draw eyes and dollars from serious hockey card pursuers, with an anticipated selling price between $8,000 and $9,000 CAD. In a sport where great players have come and gone, few names resonate with the same power and grace as Bobby Orr, whose card stands as a tribute to his seminal legacy.
Turning to memorabilia, what would an auction be without a sprinkle of mythos? Enter Bill Barilko’s game-used, team-signed hockey stick from the Toronto Maple Leafs’ legendary 1951 Stanley Cup-winning season. Featuring Barilko’s number 5 and autographs from the squad, this stick commands between $3,000 and $5,000 CAD, offering a tangible piece of sporting magic.
For enthusiasts with an eye for display pieces, a visually arresting shadow box frames Parkhurst rookie cards for Maurice and Henri Richard, complemented by a Louisville Pro Flex stick adorned with both brothers’ signatures. Complete with a hallowed Canadiens puck and bronze plaque, this exhibit-worthy slice of Montreal Canadiens lore is pegged at $4,000 to $6,000 CAD.
Rounding off this cavalcade is an entire set of Topps’ Tall Boys from 1964-65, their lofty stature fitting for cards featuring the likes of Gordie Howe, Bobby Hull, and Tim Horton. An expected windfall of $4,000 to $6,000 CAD anticipates the set’s storied appeal.
And just to remind everyone who might be the young prince amid these seasoned nobles, a 1979-80 O-Pee-Chee uncut sheet showcasing a gleaming #18 Wayne Gretzky rookie card sits ready to dazzle, despite a bit of edge wear. It’s another slice of wonder expected to fetch between $3,500 and $4,500 CAD.
According to Ben Pernfuss, Consignment Director at Miller & Miller, the auction delivers a veritable roll call of sports history’s mightiest titans. “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,” he enthused.
For eager bidders, each offering promises a slice of athletic immortality, all cataloged and accessible through the Miller & Miller website and LiveAuctioneers. As Canada’s trusted high-stakes marketplace, Miller & Miller marries impeccable service with the thrill of ownership, whether it’s a beloved rookie card or a storied collectible from the annals of athletic grandeur.
