Sports Card Auction Features Mantle, Howe, and Orr Rarities

In a digital arena where the spirit of competition is keenly felt and every click matters, Miller & Miller Auctions is setting the stage for an exhilarating event that’s likely to trigger fond memories of golden sporting eras. This online-only auction, displacing the usual in-person excitement with the sleek efficiency of internet bidding, presents a veritable smorgasbord of pre-1980 sports cards and memorabilia on the 22nd of June. With 235 lots on offer, this auction is attracting sports fans and collectors alike who are ready to embrace the thrill of acquiring pieces that straddle the fine line between nostalgia and investment.

At the forefront of this collector’s paradise is the 1952 Topps #311 Mickey Mantle rookie card, often hailed as the crown jewel of the baseball card universe. The card, which serves as a holy grail for dedicated baseball aficionados, is projected to fetch between $40,000 and $50,000 CAD—even with a PSA grading of 2, it retains the aura of a legend. Sure, its corners have seen better decades and might remind one of a certain well-worn baseball mitt, but its surface and edges still hold a respectable integrity that promises a tumultuous bidding process among the serious collectors.

Beyond the glowing allure of Mantle’s rookie card, the auction boasts another ensemble of iconic baseball history. Forty cards from the elusive 1952 Topps Sixth Series—affectionately known among enthusiasts as the “High Numbers”—stand ready to change hands. Though some exhibit the scars of time with notable wear and damage, these cards—from #311 to #407—retain an air of exclusivity. Estimated to scoop up $3,000 to $5,000 CAD, these little rectangles of cardboard are more than just collectibles; they’re tickets to owning a piece of history.

As baseball lovers gear up for the action, hockey enthusiasts aren't left out of this auction extravaganza. A star attraction for puck fans is the 1951 Parkhurst #66 Gordie Howe rookie card, with an estimated price tag of $8,000 to $10,000 CAD. Graded a respectful PSA 3, it's not quite museum-ready, yet it holds enough eye appeal to be the centerpiece of any serious collection. This card is the undisputed crown jewel of the 1951-52 Parkhurst set, capturing Howe’s legacy in a one-of-a-kind snapshot.

And the field of legends does not stop there. The auction also features a rookie card for Bobby Orr, recognized as one of the greatest defensemen to ever glide across ice. His 1966 Topps #35 card graded KSA 6 Excellent-Near Mint is predicted to arouse considerable interest from both ardent hockey fans and strategic investors. For those gearing up for the bidding, this card’s estimated value resides between $8,000 and $9,000 CAD.

Sports memorabilia extends beyond mere cards. Included is a game-used, team-signed hockey stick from the Toronto Maple Leafs' glorious 1951 Stanley Cup-winning spree, branded with Bill Barilko’s number 5 and his teammates' signatures. This is no ordinary stick; rather, it is a time machine that hurls fans back to a pinnacle moment in hockey history, making its estimation of $3,000 to $5,000 CAD an absolute bargain for the right buyer.

Adding depth to their catalog, Miller & Miller offer collectors a dramatic shadow box that celebrates Montreal Canadiens legends, Maurice and Henri Richard. In this striking 24-inch by 72-inch display, graded KSA 4 and 3 rookie cards accompany a signed Louisville Pro Flex stick, a Canadiens puck, and a bronze plaque, tangibly enshrining Montreal’s hockey lore for an estimated $4,000 to $6,000 CAD.

Another noteworthy item in the auction is a complete assembly of 110 1964-65 Topps “Tall Boys” hockey cards. Named for their unusual dimensions, these cards feature legendary names like Gordie Howe and Bobby Hull. With a good to very good overall grading, this collection showcases legends, and its valuation of $4,000 to $6,000 CAD reflects its desirability.

Lastly, there’s a 1979-80 O-Pee-Chee uncut sheet that prominently features a pristine #18 Wayne Gretzky rookie card. While the sheet teeters on the verge of vintage allure with some edge wear, it remains an extraordinary find, anticipated to realize between $3,500 to $4,500 CAD.

Ben Pernfuss, Consignment Director at Miller & Miller, expresses the magnitude of this event as not just an auction, but an assemblage of timeless sports relics. “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 comments, coaxing both collectors and nostalgic fans to partake in this digital melee.

Those eager to participate in this nostalgia-rich bidding contest can view the auction catalog on Miller & Miller’s website or join the action on LiveAuctioneers. Known for being Canada’s trusted purveyor of high-value collections, Miller & Miller Auctions delivers this curated selection of sports cards and memorabilia with the same reverence one holds for an autographed ball from their sporting hero.