Two 1933 Goudey Babe Ruth Cards, Mickey Mantle, Hank Aaron Headline September 27 Sports Card Auction

154-lot single-owner collection spans 12 years of vintage baseball card collecting, with every card graded by PSA or SGC

NEW HAMBURG, ONTARIO, CANADA, September 9, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Two 1933 Goudey Babe Ruth cards; a 1952 Bowman Mickey Mantle; a 1954 Topps Hank Aaron rookie; and additional vintage Mantle and Ruth issues headline Miller & Miller Auctions’ Pre-1980 Sports Cards – The Spezowka Collection, scheduled for Sunday, September 27, 2026.

The 154-lot auction brings together vintage baseball cards assembled over 12 years by a single collector, Dan Spezowka, with a focus on some of the hobby’s most sought-after names, including Mickey Mantle, Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig and Hank Aaron. Every card in the collection is third-party graded by PSA or SGC, providing bidders with well-documented examples spanning the pre-war and post-war eras.

“The Spezowka Collection is a strong representation of vintage baseball card collecting, with 154 lots assembled over 12 years by a single collector,” said Ben Pernfuss, Consignment Director for Sports Cards & Memorabilia. “The collection brings together many of the most recognizable names in baseball history, with cards spanning the pre-war and post-war eras.”

This is an online-only auction with no live webcast portion, featuring sports cards as its sole category. Lots close in sequential order beginning at 6:00pm EDT on September 27, with bidding available through LiveAuctioneers and Miller & Miller Auctions. All lots are offered in Canadian dollars. The collection reflects a traditional approach to collecting, built through years of searching shows, auctions and dealers across North America, with Dan Spezowka also collecting alongside his family.

Among the most significant offerings are two different 1933 Goudey Babe Ruth cards, each estimated at CA$25,000–$35,000. Lot 71, the 1933 Goudey #149 Babe Ruth graded SGC 4.5 VG-EX+, is an especially strong example, with superb eye appeal, strong red colour and registration, and a crease-free surface. One of four distinct Babe Ruth cards in Goudey’s landmark 1933 baseball set, the issue is an important part of the development of the modern gum-card format. Estimate: CA$25,000–$35,000.

Lot 72 presents the 1933 Goudey #181 Babe Ruth, graded PSA 4 VG-EX. The card features the green-background variant within Goudey’s highly collected 240-card 1933 release, and this example displays excellent eye appeal, superb colour and registration, with only minor corner and centering imperfections. Estimate: CA$25,000–$35,000.

“With every card professionally graded by PSA or SGC, the collection offers bidders an opportunity to acquire well-documented examples of some of the hobby’s most collected cards,” said Pernfuss. “Among the highlights are two 1933 Goudey Babe Ruth cards, a 1952 Bowman Mickey Mantle and a 1954 Topps Hank Aaron.”

Lot 39 features a 1952 Bowman #101 Mickey Mantle graded PSA 7 NM, estimated at CA$20,000–$25,000. The card captures Mantle in just his second season and is described as a superb example, with both surfaces lacking any visible flaw and only a minor corner imperfection noted. Mantle spent his entire 18-year career with the New York Yankees, establishing himself as one of baseball’s defining stars. Estimate: CA$20,000–$25,000.

Lot 43 offers another important Mantle issue, the 1953 Topps #82 Mickey Mantle graded PSA 6 EX-MT. The second-year Topps release features superb surfaces and colour, crisp registration, and only minor corner and centering imperfections. Estimate: CA$20,000–$25,000.

Lot 67 is the 1954 Topps #128 Hank Aaron rookie card, graded PSA 6 EX-MT and estimated at CA$12,000–$16,000. Significant as Aaron’s first Topps card during his rookie campaign, the example has superb centering for the grade, strong colour and registration, sharp surfaces and edges, and excellent but imperfect corners. Aaron finished his career with 755 home runs and remains one of baseball’s most accomplished and enduring figures. Estimate: CA$12,000–$16,000.

Lot 73 presents a 1948 Leaf #3 Babe Ruth graded PSA 6 EX-MT, estimated at CA$8,000–$10,000. Released shortly after Ruth’s death in 1948, the posthumous tribute appears in Leaf’s classic skip-numbered post-war set. The example features superb edges and corners, strong colour and registration, with horizontal centering the most notable condition flaw. Estimate: CA$8,000–$10,000.

The collection also reaches into more unusual and scarce Mantle issues. Lot 57 is a 1964 Topps Stand-Up #45 Mickey Mantle graded PSA 8 NM-MT, estimated at CA$4,000–$6,000. The unnumbered die-cut specialty insert features a perforated border designed to allow the player figure to unfold vertically; this high-grade example retains superb colour and surfaces, with only minor roughness along the lower right edge. Estimate: CA$4,000–$6,000.

Lot 105 is a rare 1968 Venezuela #280 Mickey Mantle graded PSA 3.5 VG+, estimated at CA$4,000–$6,000. The international issue represents a scarce foreign print run, and this example is identified as the only copy graded 3.5 by PSA. PSA has handled only 30 examples of the #280, with just eight graded higher without qualification. The card has near-perfect centering and superb eye appeal, with a minor corner imperfection as its most notable flaw. Estimate: CA$4,000–$6,000.

“What makes the collection particularly interesting is its single-owner history,” said Pernfuss. “Dan Spezowka built the collection over 12 years, searching through shows, auctions and dealers across North America, as well as collecting alongside his family. It reflects the traditional process of building a collection one card at a time.”

The full catalogue is available at: https://live.millerandmillerauctions.com/auctions/4-LGQKQY/pre-1980-sports-cards-the-spezowka-collection

Internet bidding is available through LiveAuctioneers and Miller & Miller Auctions. Bidders can register online and place bids in advance of the sequential lot closing beginning at 6:00pm EDT on September 27.

“This is a collection built with patience, knowledge and a genuine appreciation for the hobby,” Pernfuss added. “The combination of iconic names, scarce issues, strong examples and a clear single-owner history makes The Spezowka Collection a compelling opportunity for collectors of vintage baseball cards.”

Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd. is Canada’s trusted seller of high-value collections and specializes in art, antiques, watches, automobiles, advertising and significant collectibles. The firm is currently accepting consignments for upcoming sales. To consign a single piece, an estate or a collection, call (519) 573-3710 or email info@millerandmillerauctions.com. To learn more about Miller & Miller Auctions and upcoming auctions, visit www.MillerandMillerAuctions.com. Updates are posted frequently.

Ben Pernfuss
Miller and Miller Auctions Ltd.
benp@millerandmillerauctions.com