Legends Take the Stage: Mantle, Howe, and Orr in Auction Spotlight

Calling all sports enthusiasts and nostalgic collectors, as Miller & Miller Auctions presents a tantalizing online feast of pre-1980 sports cards and memorabilia, scheduled for June 22nd. This event is set to pique the interest of card collectors around the world, removing the in-person hustle and bustle and replacing it with a digital showdown marked by spirited bidding and heartfelt nostalgia.

Topping the auction’s roster and inducing card-collecting rhapsody is the Mickey Mantle 1952 Topps #311 rookie card, often regarded as the collector’s holy grail. Despite having graced many hands over the years—as indicated by its PSA 2 Good condition, with worn corners but preserved surface and edges—this iconic card is projected to be quite the draw, with an estimated price tag of $40,000 to $50,000 CAD. For true aficionados, the card’s mere presence is enough incentive to engage in a frenzied virtual tussle.

However, Mantle isn’t the sole baseball luminary winking at collectors from within this digital treasure chest. The elusive 40 cards of Topps' 1952 Sixth Series make an appearance, spanning from #311 to #407. Though many display signs of a colorful and likely rough past, they encapsulate the era’s charm. Their combined estimate, ranging from $3,000 to $5,000 CAD, provides collectors with a genuine slice of sports history.

While baseball is well represented, the stars of hockey are not to be outshined. Enter Gordie Howe’s esteemed 1951 Parkhurst #66 rookie card, a glacial gem estimated between $8,000 and $10,000 CAD. This card’s PSA 3 Very Good grading might not make it museum-level, but its tantalizing allure as a crown jewel of its time more than compensates.

Virtually skating alongside is Bobby Orr, whose 1966 Topps #35 rookie card is another highly prized artifact. With a solid KSA 6 Excellent-Near Mint grading, this card’s chances of sparking competitive fervor are equally high, boasting auction estimates between $8,000 and $9,000 CAD.

Not to be overshadowed is an endearing piece of fandom—a game-used, team-signed Bill Barilko stick from the Toronto Maple Leafs’ thrilling 1951 Stanley Cup season. Embossed with Barilko’s number 5 and adorned with signatures from his arena compatriots, this relic’s rare authenticity is invaluable. Its estimated value ranges between $3,000 and $5,000 CAD.

For those with an eye for more elaborate displays, a shadow box bursting with Canadian pride awaits. Housing Parkhurst rookie cards for Maurice and Henri Richard, graded a charming KSA 4 and 3 respectively, this display also features a Louisville Pro Flex stick signed by the pair, along with a Canadiens puck and a bronze plaque. This homage to Montreal Canadiens lore is estimated to stir the market with a price tag of $4,000 to $6,000 CAD.

Celebrating the grandeur of yesteryears is another icon—a complete set of 110 Topps "Tall Boys" hockey cards from the 1964-65 series. With legends like Gordie Howe, Bobby Hull, and Tim Horton standing tall within it, this set, covered in good-to-very-good gloss, carries an auction estimate of $4,000 to $6,000 CAD.

Capping off this showcase of nostalgic delights is a breathtaking 1979-80 O-Pee-Chee uncut sheet brandishing 226 hockey cards, including a pristine #18 Wayne Gretzky rookie card. Anticipated to fetch between $3,500 and $4,500 CAD, this rarity still sparkles with resilient charm despite some edge wear.

Ben Pernfuss, the enthusiastic Consignment Director at Miller & Miller, describes this auction as an emblematic parade, blending iconic relics from both the baseball and hockey realms. "Collectors," he explains, "will discover key cards from the groundbreaking 1951 Parkhurst hockey and 1952 Topps baseball collections that encapsulate some of the most iconic sports figures."

Those eager to secure a piece of sports nostalgia can explore the auction catalog directly on Miller & Miller’s website or dive headfirst into the riveting auctioning action via LiveAuctioneers. Always a trusted purveyor of high-value collectibles, Miller & Miller Auctions promises the precision and care its esteemed collection deserves, akin to the first glove cherished by a hopeful rookie’s golden hand.