Fanatics and Sotheby’s recently wrapped up their highly anticipated second collaborative auction, the “Exquisite | Capsule Collection,” which made waves in the sports card market by raking in a whopping $2 million from just 11 cards. The standout piece of the auction was the Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and Dennis Rodman Triple Logoman card, which commanded an impressive $600,000.
The focus of the auction was squarely on iconic NBA legends, with the collection exclusively featuring premium cards from Upper Deck’s Exquisite series. Highlights from the event included 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.
Notably, the collection was dominated by cards showcasing basketball greats like Michael Jordan and LeBron James, further cementing their status as highly sought-after figures in the sports card market. The enduring popularity of these iconic players continues to drive demand for their memorabilia, making them perennial favorites among collectors and fans alike.
This successful auction comes on the heels of Fanatics and Sotheby’s initial collaboration, “Holy Grails,” where a LeBron James Exquisite card fetched an impressive $432,000. In this latest auction, a different version of the same card commanded $456,000, illustrating the enduring value of premium sports cards and highlighting the evolving dynamics of the market. Notably, similar versions of these cards were fetching over $2 million in 2022 and had previously sold for more than $900,000, showcasing the market’s fluctuations and the enduring appeal of these collectibles.
The Upper Deck’s Exquisite series, which introduced innovations like rookie patch autographs, has been pivotal in shaping the sports card industry. These groundbreaking features set a new standard for high-end collectors and paved the way for products like Panini’s National Treasures, which drew inspiration from Exquisite’s innovative approach. Karvin Cheung, the mastermind behind Exquisite, revolutionized the industry in the early 2000s, leaving a lasting impact on sports card collecting.
Fanatics’ relentless pursuit of elevating the sports card hobby to new heights is evident in their collaboration with Sotheby’s for these high-profile auctions. By showcasing sports cards as cultural artifacts worthy of prestigious sales events and art gallery showcases, they are reshaping the perception of these collectibles. This strategic approach aims to underscore the intrinsic value of sports cards as both prized collectibles and works of art, further solidifying their position in the realm of high-end collecting.