Fanatics and Sotheby’s recently concluded their second joint auction with a bang, raking in over $2 million from the sale of just 11 sports cards. The star of the show was an extraordinary Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and Dennis Rodman Triple Logoman card, which fetched an impressive $600,000.
Dubbed the “Exquisite | Capsule Collection,” the auction exclusively featured top-tier cards from Upper Deck’s esteemed Exquisite series. The lineup boasted coveted pieces such as a LeBron James 2003 Rookie Patch Autograph, a Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Kobe Bryant Dual Logoman Autograph, and a Magic Johnson and Larry Bird Dual Logoman Patch Autograph.
The auction primarily shone the spotlight on NBA legends, with a strong focus on icons like Michael Jordan and LeBron James or a combination of both. This emphasis underscored the enduring appeal of legendary figures within the sports card market, solidifying their status as perennial favorites among collectors.
This recent event builds upon the success of their inaugural collaboration, “Holy Grails,” where a LeBron James Exquisite card made headlines by selling for $432,000. In this iteration, another iteration of the same card commanded an impressive $456,000, showcasing the sustained value of premium cards while also reflecting market fluctuations. In just a few years, the same card had previously sold for well over $900,000, with similar versions reaching staggering heights of over $2 million in 2022.
The introduction of Upper Deck’s Exquisite line marked a pivotal moment in the sports card industry, particularly with its pioneering inclusion of rookie patch autographs. These have since become a cornerstone for high-end collectors, influencing the popularity of products like Panini’s National Treasures, owed in part to Exquisite’s innovative approach spearheaded by Karvin Cheung in the early 2000s.
Fanatics remains dedicated to propelling the hobby to new horizons. Through strategic alliances with reputable entities like Sotheby’s for these high-profile auctions, they aspire to elevate sports cards to the status of cultural artifacts deserving of exhibition in art galleries and prestigious sales venues. This calculated initiative aims to redefine the perception of sports cards, showcasing their worth as both coveted collectibles and bona fide works of art.
