Legendary Cards of Mantle, Howe, Orr at Auction Block

Breaking out of the dusty shoeboxes of nostalgia and into the limelight of collectible stardom, Miller & Miller Auctions is sending circles of sports enthusiasts into a frenzy with its upcoming online-only auction, focusing on pre-1980 sports cards and memorabilia. Forget the adrenaline-pumping excitement of in-person bidding — this show takes place entirely on the virtual stage, bringing with it the electrifying thrill of the online collector's arena. Mark your calendars for June 22nd, when the pixelated gavel drops on 235 lots loaded with some of the most famous names from the golden eras of baseball and hockey.

Stealing the spotlight, none other than baseball’s icon Mickey Mantle lords over the auction with his legendary 1952 Topps #311 rookie card. This card is often hailed as the holy grail by baseball card aficionados, commanding a whopping estimate between $40,000 and $50,000 CAD even when it's seen better years. Graded PSA 2 Good, the card’s condition is a storyteller of its own: corners a little blunt and bruised, but its edges and surface still rightfully proud. Yet, for the seasoned collector, these nuances of wear only kindle the flames of a passionate bidding contest.

The dreamboat lineup doesn’t stop at Mantle. The auction unfurls a trove from the 1952 Topps Sixth Series — the so-called “High Numbers” that are a collector’s equivalent to Willy Wonka’s golden ticket. Spanning cards #311 through #407, this series is the crowning jewel of its era, albeit with some showing the gentle imprints of time’s caress. These pieces of history come with an estimate tag between $3,000 and $5,000 CAD, tempting collectors with the chance to own a slice of vintage splendor.

Hitting the ice, the auction also plays host to hockey marvels. Gordie Howe’s rookie card, a 1951 Parkhurst #66, promises to break the ice with bids aiming between $8,000 and $10,000 CAD. Graded PSA 3 Very Good, the card’s condition can’t quite claim museum-level prestige, but its allure remains intact, standing tall as the flagship of the 1951-52 Parkhurst set.

Gliding beside Howe in hockey term’s hall of fame, Bobby Orr leaps into the frame with his 1966 Topps #35 rookie card. Stamped KSA 6 Excellent-Near Mint, this card has all the allure to captivate both the hearts and wallets of hockey die-hards and investors. With estimates hovering between $8,000 and $9,000 CAD, Orr's card is a must-watch spectacle.

Among the rarities up for grabs, a singular gem shines through: a game-used hockey stick signed by team players from the 1951 Toronto Maple Leafs' Stanley Cup-winning season, featuring the inscriptions of all 5 members. Donning the number 5 of Bill Barilko, it’s an acoustic relic of hockey lore with an estimate between $3,000 and $5,000 CAD.

And if displays are your collecting passion, don’t overlook the shadow box featuring Parkhurst rookie cards of Maurice and Henri Richard. These treasures, graded KSA 4 and 3, are nestled alongside a Louisville Pro Flex stick, signed by the brotherly duo. Complete with a Canadiens puck and a bronze badge, this capsule of Montreal Canadiens memorability is valued between $4,000 and $6,000 CAD.

Not to slip on sly mentions, a 1964-65 Topps “Tall Boys” hockey card set — renowned for their height — will entice collectors with names like Gordie Howe, Bobby Hull, and Tim Horton gracing its pages. In good to very good shape, this gallery fetches an estimated $4,000 to $6,000 CAD.

The final note in this chorus of collectibles includes a seamless 1979-80 O-Pee-Chee uncut sheet with 226 cards, spotlighting Wayne Gretzky’s pristine rookie card. The sheet, despite its minor nicks, stands as a rare survivor, anticipating bids from $3,500 to $4,500 CAD.

Ben Pernfuss, Consignment Director at Miller & Miller, affirms the auction’s caliber as a parade of sports legacy. Collectors can expect to find critical cogs from the famed 1951 Parkhurst and 1952 Topps sets, stories woven into cardboard that feature some of sport's most indelible legends.

Eager collectors can explore the auction catalog directly on Miller & Miller’s website or join the virtual fray through LiveAuctioneers. Known across Canada as a bastion for high-value collecting escapades, Miller & Miller ensures each treasure, from sports cards to precious jewels, receives the same meticulous care a rookie would bestow upon his first glove.