Goldin Auctions’ April Elite sale made waves with the soaring prices of memorabilia linked to basketball phenoms Anthony Edwards and Victor Wembanyama. The auction coincided with a game where Anthony Edwards dazzled, leading the Minnesota Timberwolves to a thrilling win, likely stoking the fervor for his collectibles.
An early highlight was the sale of an NBA jersey donned by Anthony Edwards in only his fourth game, fetching an impressive $118,978, a record-breaking price for any Edwards jersey sold publicly. This piece of memorabilia, authenticated by MeiGray/NBA and photomatched, witnessed Edwards making significant strides as he achieved his first career block along with 12 points. Further confirming his rising star status, during the 2024 playoffs, Edwards etched his name alongside legends like Kobe Bryant by becoming one of the youngest players to score over 40 points in consecutive postseason games.
Also making headlines was an Edwards 2020-21 Panini National Treasures Rookie Patch Autograph card, graded BGS GEM MINT 9.5 with a Beckett 10 for autographs, which commanded a hefty sum of $85,550 at the auction.
Victor Wembanyama wasn’t left behind in the flurry of activity, especially concerning his rookie cards. A 2023-24 Panini Prizm Green Shimmer First Off The Line rookie card, numbered 1 of 5 and graded PSA 10, seized attention with a remarkable sale price of $113,460. Additionally, a rare find in the form of a Gold Shimmer rookie card numbered 7/10 reached a respectable $49,410.
The auction wasn’t solely a showcase of modern basketball luminary memorabilia. Noteworthy sales included a 1996-97 Kobe Bryant Topps Chrome Refractor rookie card, which achieved an impressive $92,720, alongside a 2018 Panini Prizm World Cup Gold Power Prizm Kylian Mbappe rookie card, graded BGS MINT 9, that went for $92,190.
Stepping outside the basketball court, former Duke standout Cherokee Parks also made a mark with his NCAA Championship ring, fetching $44,320. The auction further featured captivating photographs capturing the early career moments of basketball greats Michael Jordan and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, which were sold for $15,982 and $14,640, respectively.
Diversifying the pool of sports memorabilia, a jersey from Fernando Tatis’s early MLB days, marking his first career road game, saw an enthusiastic bidding war culminating in a final price of $10,098. This eclectic mix of collectibles underscores the enduring appeal and robust interest in sports memorabilia across generations and sports genres.
