A revered pantheon of sports nostalgia is amassing in the virtual halls of Miller & Miller Auctions, where fans of number crunching and athletic legacy alike are being summoned to a digital altar of memorabilia on June 22nd. It's an online-only event, perfect for those who prefer the thrill of the chase without the need to elbow their way to the front lines like they're vying for a courtside seat.
Leading the charge with his Colossus of Rhodes-level of fame is none other than Mickey Mantle. The prized jewel of this auction is the 1952 Topps #311 — the rookie card that rolls off the tongue like an envy-inducing whisper among collectors worldwide. Though this card has bravely faced down several decades like a seasoned veteran, it's anticipated to fetch between $40,000 and $50,000 CAD. Its PSA grade of 2 Good suggests it's seen life’s highs and lows — much like Mantle himself — with corners a tad weary yet the overall visage holding its own, a prized diamond in the rough.
But let’s not rest the entire gala on Mantle’s broad shoulders. The limelight will also shine brightly on a collection of 40 cards from Topps’ elusive 1952 Sixth Series, offering collectors a chance to capture a fragment of sporting sanctity. Featuring numbers from #311 (Mantle) to #407, these cards serve as an invitation to taste piece of history, estimated to rake in $3,000 to $5,000 CAD despite their weathered existence.
Meandering through the icy paths of nostalgia, we'll find Gordie Howe, whose 1951 Parkhurst #66 rookie card stands as a beacon for hockey aficionados. Captured in its PSA 3 Very Good glory, this card is expected to harness between $8,000 and $10,000 CAD, reminding us that legend never fades, it merely refines like a fine gubernatorial reserve.
Drifting further into icy territories, the auction features none less than Bobby Orr’s 1966 Topps #35 rookie card, glowing with a grade of KSA 6 Excellent-Near Mint. Orr, the ballet dancer on blades, alluring to hockey admirers and investors alike, is expected to breathe life into the auction with valuations between $8,000 and $9,000 CAD.
Eclipsing even some of the star power is the Bill Barilko game-used, team-signed hockey stick from the Toronto Maple Leafs’ 1951 Stanley Cup-winning season. Embroidered with his number and signatures of the team, this stick holds a reverence and romanticism valued between $3,000 and $5,000 CAD.
Yet for those who adore encapsulating legends within shadowboxes, the Parkhurst rookie cards of Maurice and Henri Richard are enshrined alongside a 24-inch by 72-inch Louisville Pro Flex stick etched with both their signatures. Accompanied by a Canadiens puck and an ornamental bronze plaque, this item exudes Canadien majesty, anticipated to reach $4,000 to $6,000 CAD.
Among these historic realms is also the exhilarating presence of a complete 1964-65 Topps “Tall Boys” hockey card set. Named for their towering stature, these cards showcase luminaries like Gordie Howe, Bobby Hull, and Tim Horton. The collection — granting passage to sporting echelons unseen — is slated to attract bids between $4,000 and $6,000 CAD.
Rounding out this event with a nod to the Great One, a 1979-80 O-Pee-Chee uncut sheet that unveils 226 untarnished cards including a pristine #18 Wayne Gretzky rookie card. This rarity, lightly brushed by time yet unharmed, is anticipated to fetch $3,500 to $4,500 CAD.
In the words of Ben Pernfuss, the Consignment Director at Miller & Miller, this gathering of archival indulgence is a veritable hall of fame beckoning attendees who revel in sports history. “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,” Pernfuss exclaimed with a flair that suggests this auction may indeed be the Super Bowl of sports memorabilia auctions.
For those captivated by this symphony of sporting antiquity, the detailed catalog can be examined on Miller & Miller’s website, or attendees can participate via LiveAuctioneers. As Canada’s steadfast curator of cherished collections, Miller & Miller Auctions stands ready to handle each item with reverence akin to a first baseman’s glove fresh out of the box.
Mickey Mantle Rookie At Auction
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