A pair of LeBron James items were among the big sellers in Goldin Auctions’ October Legends catalog sale late Saturday night.
A 2003-04 James autographed patch rookie card from Upper Deck Exquisite topped all bidding at $270,000. Graded 8.5, the card was number 16 of 23 of its kind that were produced during an era when Upper Deck held an NBA trading card license.
A jersey worn by James for it’s now famous Sports Illustrated cover shoot as well as in a 2002 game for St. Vincent/St. Mary’s High School sold for $192,000. Photomatched to each event, it’s now the most expensive James jersey ever sold at auction.
More than 1900-lots of sports, entertainment and historical memorabilia sold for over $6.2 million. Eight items brought more than $100,000 in the auction, which included the usual 20 percent buyer’s premium.
Goldin established a record for the most bidders and most individual winners on the company’s history. The auction also established records for the highest price ever paid for a modern basketball jersey, the most ever paid for an NBA 50 Greatest Players lithograph, the most expensive Larry Bird jersey ever sold, and the highest priced woman’s soccer item.
The only 1956 Topps Roberto Clemente card ever graded PSA 10 netted $247,230; Lou Gehrig’s signed 1934 Yankees contract brought $160,000; a 1997-98 Michael Jordan black Chicago Bulls road jersey with a team letter of authenticity reached $129,280; a 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle rated PSA 7 went for $119,310 and two other autographed cards from the 2003-04 Exquisite—another James rookie and a Jordan—each limited to 23 copies, also crossed the six-figure barrier.
Goldin also sold more items from the collection of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, several dating to his college career at UCLA. His copy of the 50 Greatest Players signed lithograph topped bidding at $90,880. His 1968 NCAA championship ring netted $34,560 and his UCLA letter jacket brought $25,600. His 1969 Naismith Player of the Year award—the first ever presented—didn’t meet the reserve price.
Goldin also offered a group of items consigned by soccer legend Michelle Akers, who is using the money to raise money for her horse rescue foundation. Her 1996 Olympic gold medal led the way at $34,400.
The 1955 Bowman Mickey Mantle card that was pulled from an unopened pack on the main stage of the 2018 National Sports Collectors Convention and graded PSA 9 sold for $62,730.
The Bird uniform dated to his rookie season and included a home jersey and shorts. It sold for $84,980.
“Our annual October Legends Auction is always one of our most loaded catalogs every year and we knew this year was something very special,” said Ken Goldin, Founder of Goldin Auctions. “We want to thank all of our consignors for entrusting us with their memorabilia and congratulate our buyers and adding these historic items to their collections.”
Complete results can be found here.
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