When talk of sports legends emerges around a dining table, the conversation often skews more towards tales of underdog triumphs and career-defining home runs rather than the paper-thin relics they left behind. Yet, for those in the realm of sports memorabilia, it’s these delicate, rectangular masterpieces that stir the pot as much as the legends themselves. Would you raise an eyebrow at the notion of a piece of cardboard drawing shouts of ‘Sold!’ for the price of a small car? Prepare to be intrigued, as Miller & Miller Auctions is about to open its expansive yet meticulously curated virtual trove on June 22nd, showcasing a who’s who of pre-1980 sports card elites—players whose feats long outlive the crack of a bat or the swoosh past a goaltender.
Leading off is none other than the bolstering icon from baseball’s storied fabric, Mickey Mantle himself. Nestled away amongst the digital bidding rooms is the hallowed 1952 Topps #311 Mantle rookie card. Even showing some wear that marks the passage of time, this Holy Grail of collectibles is a siren call for card enthusiasts—it’s a beacon expected to draw anywhere between a jaw-dropping $40,000 and $50,000 CAD. Graded PSA 2 Good, the card, with its corners cushioned by years yet an undeterred surface and edges, remains a tantalizing artifact for serious collectors, promising to spark a bidding frenzy worthy of mythology.
Mantle’s glory days aren’t the only ones conjured within this digital auction. Hovering through the hallways of this virtual arena are 40 cards from Topps’ 1952 Sixth Series arcane collection—referred affectionately by aficionados as the “High Numbers” realm. This sought-after assemblage, albeit displaying the marks of time with scars and wear, spans from #311 Mantle to #407. Their collective allure could beckon collectors to part with sums ranging from $3,000 to $5,000 CAD; a fitting price for a tangible grasp of historical intrigue.
The ice-bound sport of hockey refuses to be overshadowed in this stellar assembly. Enters the etereal Gordie Howe with his rookie card, the 1951 Parkhurst #66, skating onto the auction block with a PSA 3 Very Good grading. Projected to attract bids soaring as high as $10,000 CAD, the card stands as the crown jewel of its set, boasting a vintage charm that matches Howe’s timeless charisma.
Skating alongside Howe’s apparition is the legendary Bobby Orr, represented by his 1966 Topps #35 rookie card encounter, categorized as KSA 6 Excellent-Near Mint. This card, like its bearer during his hockey prime, carries an air of invincibility, poised to lure in Canadian dollars ranging between $8,000 and $9,000 CAD—a worthy price for a piece gracing the annals of hockey greatness.
Yet, this isn’t just about cards; physically embodying hockey’s storied past is a game-used stick signed by none other than Bill Barilko and the 1951 Stanley Cup-winning Toronto Maple Leafs team. Dusty and wise with age, this hardware bin carries an expected price tag of $3,000 to $5,000 CAD—an authentic wand, if you will, waved by the legends on ice.
Turning yet another page of historical grandeur, there’s a visually captivating shadow box to consider—showcasing rookie cards of the illustrious Maurice and Henri Richard. Graded KSA 4 and 3, respectively, this display doesn’t just rest on nostalgia; it exudes it from a 24-inch by 72-inch frame universe, encasing a vintage stick, puck, and bronze plaque—estimated value: $4,000 to $6,000 CAD.
A collector familiar with 1960s hockey marvels should look no further than a complete ensemble of the 1964-65 Topps “Tall Boys” hockey cards, totalling 110, featuring legends shaped like Gordie Howe and Bobby Hull. This tome of sports relics awaits between $4,000 and $6,000 CAD in bids—a price for holders eager to sprawl out a piece of history from simpler times.
Rounding off the haul is a veritable gem—a 1979-80 O-Pee-Chee uncut sheet of 226 cards, proudly boasting a pristine #18 Wayne Gretzky rookie card amidst its ranks. Though showing minor signs of the passage of time, this intact sheet could see its worth tapped between $3,500 and $4,500 CAD.
In the midst of this cardboard cavalcade, Consignment Director Ben Pernfuss of Miller & Miller provides color commentary, praising the diversity and depth of the items offered. Collectors, he stresses, will recognize this auction not merely as a sale but as a curated glimpse into what sculpted the realm of sports and hobby — featuring iconic names whose legacies wear like a badge of honor through pulp and ink.
Ready for your place in history? Participating bidders are cordially invited to preview all lots via Miller & Miller’s online catalog. Join this historical bandwagon at LiveAuctioneers, and ride the wave of nostalgia guided by Canada’s trusted guardian of valuable memorabilia. Ready those paddles—it’s almost game time.
