Fanatics and Sotheby’s have once again made waves in the sports card market, wrapping up their second collaborative auction with spectacular success. The “Exquisite | Capsule Collection” auction saw a remarkable $2 million in sales from just 11 premium cards, showcasing the enduring appeal of iconic NBA figures.
One of the standout items from the auction was a Triple Logoman card featuring basketball legends Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and Dennis Rodman, which fetched an impressive $600,000. The collection also boasted other noteworthy pieces like 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 spotlight of the auction remained firmly on NBA legends, with many of the cards featuring the likes of Michael Jordan and LeBron James—or sometimes both. This emphasis on iconic figures underscored the enduring demand for these legendary players in the sports card market, highlighting their timeless appeal.
This successful event follows their first collaboration, “Holy Grails,” where a LeBron James Exquisite card fetched $432,000. The latest auction saw another version of the same card sold for $456,000, showcasing the consistent value of premium cards while also reflecting market adjustments. Just a few years ago, the same card sold for over $900,000, with similar versions reaching staggering prices of over $2 million in 2022.
The renowned Upper Deck’s Exquisite series played a pivotal role in revolutionizing the sports card industry by introducing rookie patch autographs, which have since become essential for high-end collectors. Products such as Panini’s National Treasures owe much of their success and popularity to the innovative approach of Exquisite, originally spearheaded by Karvin Cheung in the early 2000s.
Fanatics continues to push the boundaries and elevate the hobby of collecting sports cards to new heights. Through strategic collaborations with Sotheby’s for these high-profile auctions, they aim to position sports cards as cultural artifacts worthy of prestigious sales events and even art gallery showcases. This visionary approach seeks to redefine the perception of sports cards, showcasing their value not just as collectibles but also as intricate works of art that captivate enthusiasts and collectors alike.
