Fanatics and Sotheby’s recently concluded their high-profile auction, the “Exquisite | Capsule Collection,” which amassed an impressive $2 million in sales from the auction of just 11 premium sports cards. The standout piece was the Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and Dennis Rodman Triple Logoman card, fetching a remarkable $600,000.
This exclusive auction, titled the “Exquisite | Capsule Collection,” showcased a selection of top-tier cards from Upper Deck’s renowned Exquisite series. Among the highlights were 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 focus of the auction centered on NBA legends, with a special emphasis on cards featuring basketball icons like Michael Jordan and LeBron James, underscoring the continuous demand for these iconic figures within the sports card market.
The successful completion of this auction follows Fanatics and Sotheby’s initial collaboration, “Holy Grails,” where a LeBron James Exquisite card was sold for $432,000. In this latest event, a different version of the same card fetched $456,000, signaling the enduring value of premium sports cards while also reflecting adjustments in the market. It is worth noting that just a few years ago, the same card commanded prices of over $900,000, with similar versions reaching peaks of over $2 million in 2022.
The Exquisite line by Upper Deck played a significant role in revolutionizing the sports card industry with the introduction of rookie patch autographs, now considered essential for serious collectors. Popular products like Panini’s National Treasures owe their success to the innovative approach of Exquisite, pioneered by Karvin Cheung in the early 2000s.
Fanatics remains dedicated to its mission of elevating the hobby to new levels. Through strategic partnerships with prestigious entities like Sotheby’s, they are intent on presenting sports cards as cultural artifacts deserving of exhibition in art galleries and inclusion in exclusive sales events. This forward-thinking strategy aims to redefine the perception of sports cards, highlighting their worth not only as collectibles but also as valuable works of art.
