Gather ’round, sports enthusiasts and card collectors alike, for an event that promises to set the internet a-twitter with nostalgia and competitive bidding: the Miller & Miller Auctions’ Pre-1980 Sale. Slated for June 22nd, this online-only auction eschews the bustling fanfare of traditional bidding halls for the sleek, pixel-perfect world of virtual competition, featuring a treasure trove of vintage sports memorabilia destined to make aficionados’ hearts skip a beat.
Stealing the show is the incomparable Mickey Mantle. Readily synonymous with the golden age of baseball, Mantle’s allure doesn’t fade with time – nor do his rookie cards lose their status as quintessential collectibles. The legendary 1952 Topps #311 rookie card, often heralded as the crown jewel of baseball card collecting, is expected to incite a feverish bidding war with its estimated value between $40,000 and $50,000 CAD. Sure, its grade of PSA 2 Good suggests the card has endured the sands of time, its corners frayed and its lustre somewhat muted, but like fine wine, this rarity is appreciated for its character, charm, and reverberating echoes of a storied past.
Mantle’s not alone in this glittering lineup; joining him are 40 stars from Topps’ 1952 Sixth Series, the so-called “High Numbers”. These cards, ranging from #311 to #407, remain highly sought after despite their weathered appearances. With an estimate between $3,000 to $5,000 CAD, they offer collectors a rare slice of hobby heritage, destined to add both prestige and historical weight to any collection.
But let’s not leave hockey fans out in the cold ice of disappointment. The puck is in their court with an enticing array of treasures. Foremost in allure is the 1951 Parkhurst #66 Gordie Howe rookie card. A fine exemplar of its kind, graded PSA 3 Very Good, it possesses a visual appeal that transcends time’s usual wear, ensuring its coveted spot as the crown jewel of the 1951-52 Parkhurst set. Coyly, it awaits a new owner willing to shell out between $8,000 to $10,000 CAD.
And who could forget Bobby Orr? Perhaps one of the most revered figures to ever grace the rink, Orr’s 1966 Topps #35 rookie card is another star attraction. Graded KSA 6 Excellent-Near Mint, this card epitomizes both sport and serendipity and is anticipated to fetch the modest sum of $8,000 to $9,000 CAD, offering eager collectors the chance to own a slice of hockey immortality.
The auction doesn’t end there; it delves deeper into the allure of memorabilia with an array of tantalizing artifacts. Consider, for instance, the rare Bill Barilko game-used, team-signed hockey stick, a relic of the Toronto Maple Leafs’ triumphant 1951 Stanley Cup-winning season. Adorned with Barilko’s number and signatures from his championship-winning comrades, this singular stick is estimated at $3,000 to $5,000 CAD. Its historical value, worth its weight in gold to any avid hockey historian.
For those whose dream collections drift into the realm of the decorative, a shadow box featuring Parkhurst rookie cards for the legendary brothers Maurice and Henri Richard beckons. With the cards graded KSA 4 and 3 respectively, this 24-inch by 72-inch marvel also boasts a Louisville Pro Flex stick signed by both brothers, a Canadiens puck, and a bronze plaque. This tasteful tribute to Montreal Canadiens lore is set at a heart-stopping $4,000 to $6,000 CAD.
And for those hankering for a complete set, a collection of 110 1964-65 Topps “Tall Boys” cards awaits. These grandiose cards, named for their extended dimensions, bear hallmarks of greatness featuring names like Gordie Howe, Bobby Hull, and Tim Horton. Graded overall in good to very good condition, their price tag reads between $4,000 to $6,000 CAD.
Not to be left unattended is a pristine 1979-80 O-Pee-Chee uncut sheet of 226 hockey cards, a tableau that includes a #18 Wayne Gretzky rookie card. Despite slight edge wear, this sheet is a museum-worthy piece potentially fetching $3,500 to $4,500 CAD, a testament to the rarity of such pristine conditions.
Ben Pernfuss, Consignment Director at Miller & Miller, succinctly sums up the adoration this assembly of treasures commands. He observes, “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.” His words underscore the gravity and generosity of this occasion.
Innovation may march forward, and the internet may offer its modern conveniences, but the nostalgia and profound reverence for sports history summoned by this magnificent auction cannot be overstated. The bidding wars promise to be heated, the stakes, sky high, and the tales, well, genuine pieces of history waiting to be immortalized once more in new hands. For those daring to dream, this auction offers not just collectibles but stories, legacies, and dreams enshrined on cardboard and encased in passion.
