Basketball
See also : Origins of sports Sport Sport uniform Sport document Modern sport cards Autograph Canada /
1891 Ball and Basket for Indoor Sport
2010 SOLD 4.3 M$ including premium
Basketball (originally spelled Basket-Ball) is a sport of flexibility and skill. It was created in 1891 in the United States, a little late compared to other competitive sports whose growth is linked to the development of transportation.
By design, it is not a rough sport. The idea of the inventor, the Canadian James Naismith, was to occupy without risk of injury the sportsmen in winter, when weather conditions do not allow to play baseball or football.
The elevated position of the baskets gives a specific interest to this sport that does not invite to physical contact. One can argue whether similar sports existed before basketball and inspired Naismit. No matter: the basketball based on his thirteen rules has become one of the most popular sports due to the simplicity of its required equipment.
Naismith had typed these thirteen rules, in two sheets that he modified by hand writing and signed. His family, who had kept this precious document, sells it at Sotheby's in New York on December 10 for the benefit of a Canadian foundation that spreads the ideals of sportsmanship of the inventor. The photo of these pages is shared by Artdaily.
It is clear that this lot is highly important in the history of sport. The auction house devoted a separate catalog to it, and expects $ 2M.
POST SALE COMMENT
The invention of basketball is really a major act of modern history, one of those advances that have impacted the lives and behavior of millions of people. The document was sold for $ 4.3 million including premium.
I invite you to play the video shared on the web by Sotheby's :
By design, it is not a rough sport. The idea of the inventor, the Canadian James Naismith, was to occupy without risk of injury the sportsmen in winter, when weather conditions do not allow to play baseball or football.
The elevated position of the baskets gives a specific interest to this sport that does not invite to physical contact. One can argue whether similar sports existed before basketball and inspired Naismit. No matter: the basketball based on his thirteen rules has become one of the most popular sports due to the simplicity of its required equipment.
Naismith had typed these thirteen rules, in two sheets that he modified by hand writing and signed. His family, who had kept this precious document, sells it at Sotheby's in New York on December 10 for the benefit of a Canadian foundation that spreads the ideals of sportsmanship of the inventor. The photo of these pages is shared by Artdaily.
It is clear that this lot is highly important in the history of sport. The auction house devoted a separate catalog to it, and expects $ 2M.
POST SALE COMMENT
The invention of basketball is really a major act of modern history, one of those advances that have impacted the lives and behavior of millions of people. The document was sold for $ 4.3 million including premium.
I invite you to play the video shared on the web by Sotheby's :
1982-1983 Michael Jordan Game Worn Jersey
2021 SOLD for $ 1.38M by Heritage
1986 Fleer on Basketball
2020 SOLD for $ 1.8M including premium
Despite NBA support, the basketball cards had fallen into disuse. Topps had abandoned this sport after the 1981-82 season. The series released in 1986 for the 1986-87 season by Fleer, the maker of bubble gum, is a resurrection.
Because of this hiatus, many young players had not yet had a regular trading card and their 1986 Fleer is considered by collectors as their rookie card. They include Michael Jordan who had begun his NBA career in 1984.
In 2020 Jordan's glory is at its peak, driven by the success of the television documentary series named The Last Dance. Collectors are flocking to his rookie card, although it is not uncommon including about 300 cards graded Gem Mint.
A card graded Gem Mint 10 by PSA was sold for $ 96K including premium by Heritage on May 8, 2020, breaking by far the previous record set 19 days earlier by the same auction house. Another copy of the same grade will be sold online by Heritage on July 30, lot 56540.
The 1986-87 Fleer series consists of 132 cards and 11 stickers. On July 30 in the same sale as above, a complete set fully graded 10 by PSA is estimated $ 200K, lot 56545.
For retail, Fleer offered packs of 12 random-inserted cards and one sticker, not to forget the bubble gum. For wholesale, Fleer assembled boxes of 36 packs and cases of 12 boxes. In the same next sale by Heritage, a box whose content has been reconstituted with 36 unopened packs is estimated $ 80K, lot 56605. The list of stickers is identified in the catalog.
On August 6 online, Collect Auctions sells as lot 31 a factory sealed case. The lot therefore contains 5,184 cards and 432 stickers which have not been handled after their packaging. Statistically, bidders can thus hope to find therein in as new condition 39 cards and 39 stickers of the Jordan rookie. The bidding exceeded $ 1M on the first day (July 13) and continues to increase.
RESULTS including premium
Collect Auctions (case) : SOLD for $ 1.8M
Heritage : SOLD for $ 216K (complete set), $ 90K (box), $ 75K (Jordan card)
Because of this hiatus, many young players had not yet had a regular trading card and their 1986 Fleer is considered by collectors as their rookie card. They include Michael Jordan who had begun his NBA career in 1984.
In 2020 Jordan's glory is at its peak, driven by the success of the television documentary series named The Last Dance. Collectors are flocking to his rookie card, although it is not uncommon including about 300 cards graded Gem Mint.
A card graded Gem Mint 10 by PSA was sold for $ 96K including premium by Heritage on May 8, 2020, breaking by far the previous record set 19 days earlier by the same auction house. Another copy of the same grade will be sold online by Heritage on July 30, lot 56540.
The 1986-87 Fleer series consists of 132 cards and 11 stickers. On July 30 in the same sale as above, a complete set fully graded 10 by PSA is estimated $ 200K, lot 56545.
For retail, Fleer offered packs of 12 random-inserted cards and one sticker, not to forget the bubble gum. For wholesale, Fleer assembled boxes of 36 packs and cases of 12 boxes. In the same next sale by Heritage, a box whose content has been reconstituted with 36 unopened packs is estimated $ 80K, lot 56605. The list of stickers is identified in the catalog.
On August 6 online, Collect Auctions sells as lot 31 a factory sealed case. The lot therefore contains 5,184 cards and 432 stickers which have not been handled after their packaging. Statistically, bidders can thus hope to find therein in as new condition 39 cards and 39 stickers of the Jordan rookie. The bidding exceeded $ 1M on the first day (July 13) and continues to increase.
RESULTS including premium
Collect Auctions (case) : SOLD for $ 1.8M
Heritage : SOLD for $ 216K (complete set), $ 90K (box), $ 75K (Jordan card)
1996 Chrome Refractor for Kobe Bryant
2021 SOLD for $ 1.8M including premium
Trading cards were pieces of thin cardboard printed in color. To satisfy elite collectors, publishers have created parallel cards by adding goodies to their base series. The response was favorable and most of current parallel cards are serialized, up to the highly tempting One Of One.
The big step forward was technological. In 1993 Topps incorporates metal into the cardboard. The Topps Finest Baseball series is thus accompanied by a parallel with a chrome plating of the circular frame around the photo. The publisher registers the protected name Refractor to describe this novelty.
Basketball competes with baseball. The first Topps Chrome Refractors series is released in 1996, without serialization. Luckily, it includes Kobe Bryant's rookie card. The metallic frame of the image has become rectangular. It is thus better visible and perhaps also less fragile. Later Topps will introduce color Refractors.
BGS and PSA grade these items in a base scale which is similar. However, BGS goes further by recording on the carrier labels their rating on four criteria : Centering, Corners, Edges and Surface. This allows them to award a higher top end than the mere Gem Mint, the Black Label, for cards rated 10 for all four criteria. The price differences are considerable.
Let's go back to Kobe Bryant's Topps Chrome Refractor rookie card.
A card graded Gem MT 10 by PSA was sold for $ 450K including premium by Goldin on January 31, 2021.
Two cards were rated Pristine Black Label 10 by BGS. One of them is listed by Goldin in the online sale which ends on March 6, lot 1.
A card graded Pristine 10 by BGS which lacks a half point in centering to obtain the Black Label is listed by Heritage in the online sale which ends on February 27, lot 80052.
RESULTS including premium :
SOLD for $ 1.8M by Goldin
SOLD for $ 520K by Heritage
The big step forward was technological. In 1993 Topps incorporates metal into the cardboard. The Topps Finest Baseball series is thus accompanied by a parallel with a chrome plating of the circular frame around the photo. The publisher registers the protected name Refractor to describe this novelty.
Basketball competes with baseball. The first Topps Chrome Refractors series is released in 1996, without serialization. Luckily, it includes Kobe Bryant's rookie card. The metallic frame of the image has become rectangular. It is thus better visible and perhaps also less fragile. Later Topps will introduce color Refractors.
BGS and PSA grade these items in a base scale which is similar. However, BGS goes further by recording on the carrier labels their rating on four criteria : Centering, Corners, Edges and Surface. This allows them to award a higher top end than the mere Gem Mint, the Black Label, for cards rated 10 for all four criteria. The price differences are considerable.
Let's go back to Kobe Bryant's Topps Chrome Refractor rookie card.
A card graded Gem MT 10 by PSA was sold for $ 450K including premium by Goldin on January 31, 2021.
Two cards were rated Pristine Black Label 10 by BGS. One of them is listed by Goldin in the online sale which ends on March 6, lot 1.
A card graded Pristine 10 by BGS which lacks a half point in centering to obtain the Black Label is listed by Heritage in the online sale which ends on February 27, lot 80052.
RESULTS including premium :
SOLD for $ 1.8M by Goldin
SOLD for $ 520K by Heritage
1998 Michael Jordan by Upper Deck
2021 SOLD for $ 1.44M including premium by Heritage
narrated post sale
Established in 1988, Upper Deck modernized the sports cards. In 1990, the player's autograph signature is added to some prestige series, in necessarily limited quantities. The very first trading card autographed by Michael Jordan is a 1996 Upper Deck in the SPx series.
In 1997 the new dynamic of special effects appeals their competitors including Fleer and the ephemeral Metal Universe. Upper Deck creates another novelty : the jersey fragment inlaid on the card.
Michael Jordan uses his jersey in the Game Jersey edition of Upper Deck for the 1997-98 season, with a 1998 double copyright to the publisher and to the NBA. This card is serialized out of a high figure of 23 which corresponds to the player's number but does not mean that this quantity has been entirely produced. Jersey and photos relate to a prestigious game, the 1992 NBA All-Star Game in which Jordan scored 18 points in 31 minutes of play.
The card 8/23 was sold for $ 1.44M including premium by Heritage on February 5, 2021 from an estimate of $ 400K, lot 50196. Its condition is rated NM7 by PSA. Progress remained to be made : the designer had not planned a dedicated place for the signature, which is weak and narrow.
In the same Upper Deck Game Jersey series, the card Michael Jordan 13/23 published for the 1998-99 season, rated Mint 9 by BGS, was sold for $ 310K including premium by Goldin on January 30, 2021, lot 8. Its jersey had been worn during the 1992-93 season.
In 1997 the new dynamic of special effects appeals their competitors including Fleer and the ephemeral Metal Universe. Upper Deck creates another novelty : the jersey fragment inlaid on the card.
Michael Jordan uses his jersey in the Game Jersey edition of Upper Deck for the 1997-98 season, with a 1998 double copyright to the publisher and to the NBA. This card is serialized out of a high figure of 23 which corresponds to the player's number but does not mean that this quantity has been entirely produced. Jersey and photos relate to a prestigious game, the 1992 NBA All-Star Game in which Jordan scored 18 points in 31 minutes of play.
The card 8/23 was sold for $ 1.44M including premium by Heritage on February 5, 2021 from an estimate of $ 400K, lot 50196. Its condition is rated NM7 by PSA. Progress remained to be made : the designer had not planned a dedicated place for the signature, which is weak and narrow.
In the same Upper Deck Game Jersey series, the card Michael Jordan 13/23 published for the 1998-99 season, rated Mint 9 by BGS, was sold for $ 310K including premium by Goldin on January 30, 2021, lot 8. Its jersey had been worn during the 1992-93 season.
2003 LeBron James UD Rookie Card
1
2020 SOLD for $ 1.8M by Goldin
Sports card collectors have not stopped loving the old glories. The most sought-after items are rarities in their own series, like the T206 Wagner or the 1952 Topps of Mickey Mantle. The cards kept in the best condition have been attracting investors for a few years.
Modern editors such as Upper Deck and Topps add goodies that allow them to offer limited editions with a separate serialization. They may include the integration in the card of an element from another category of collectibles, such as the autograph signature of the player or a piece of his jersey. There can also be only a tiny difference in the design of the card.
The new collector-investor will want to constitute for a model of his choice a complete set of all the variants, and in the best possible condition.
Basketball has joined baseball as America's favorite sport. In 2003 Upper Deck launched its Exquisite Collection trademark without forgetting an Exquisite Rookie Patch identification for the rookies. The front side includes a photo of the player, his signature, the piece of his jersey and the serial number in the specific variant. The back includes another photo, Upper Deck's guarantee of authenticity of signature and jersey, and the NBA logo.
2003-2004 is also the rookie season of LeBron James. His Exquisite Rookie Patch is the high end of all basketball cards, especially since Upper Deck had overtaken Topps and Fleer by obtaining the exclusivity of his autograph on a card for that season.
The Upper Deck Exquisite series is made of two variants, RPA (Rookie Patch Autograph) and RPP (Rookie Patch Parallel), differentiated by the position of the piece of fabric. The RPA is edited in 99 copies and the RPP in 23 copies.
The card 14/23, graded Gem Mint 9.5 by BGS, is the highest graded in the RPP group. It was sold for $ 1.8M as lot 12 by Goldin on July 18, 2020. The rating breakdown is provided by BGS : Centering: 9.5, Corners: 9, Edges: 9.5, Surface: 9.5. The signature is graded 10 by BGS.
On April 26, 2021, PWCC announced that they have brokered the 07/23 for $ 5.2M. It is graded Mint 9 by BGS with perfect Centering and Surface, both graded 10. Edges are at 9.5 and corners at 8.5. This example confirms that the Surface is more important for the demanding collectors than the overall grade and the corners.
Modern editors such as Upper Deck and Topps add goodies that allow them to offer limited editions with a separate serialization. They may include the integration in the card of an element from another category of collectibles, such as the autograph signature of the player or a piece of his jersey. There can also be only a tiny difference in the design of the card.
The new collector-investor will want to constitute for a model of his choice a complete set of all the variants, and in the best possible condition.
Basketball has joined baseball as America's favorite sport. In 2003 Upper Deck launched its Exquisite Collection trademark without forgetting an Exquisite Rookie Patch identification for the rookies. The front side includes a photo of the player, his signature, the piece of his jersey and the serial number in the specific variant. The back includes another photo, Upper Deck's guarantee of authenticity of signature and jersey, and the NBA logo.
2003-2004 is also the rookie season of LeBron James. His Exquisite Rookie Patch is the high end of all basketball cards, especially since Upper Deck had overtaken Topps and Fleer by obtaining the exclusivity of his autograph on a card for that season.
The Upper Deck Exquisite series is made of two variants, RPA (Rookie Patch Autograph) and RPP (Rookie Patch Parallel), differentiated by the position of the piece of fabric. The RPA is edited in 99 copies and the RPP in 23 copies.
The card 14/23, graded Gem Mint 9.5 by BGS, is the highest graded in the RPP group. It was sold for $ 1.8M as lot 12 by Goldin on July 18, 2020. The rating breakdown is provided by BGS : Centering: 9.5, Corners: 9, Edges: 9.5, Surface: 9.5. The signature is graded 10 by BGS.
On April 26, 2021, PWCC announced that they have brokered the 07/23 for $ 5.2M. It is graded Mint 9 by BGS with perfect Centering and Surface, both graded 10. Edges are at 9.5 and corners at 8.5. This example confirms that the Surface is more important for the demanding collectors than the overall grade and the corners.
2
2021 SOLD for $ 1.72M by Goldin
The card 09/99, graded Mint 9 by BGS with a perfect signature graded 10 by BGS, was sold for $ 1.72M by Goldin on April 24, 2021, lot 1.
The details of the BGS condition report are : Centering: 9.5, Corners: 8.5, Edges: 9.5, Surface: 9
The details of the BGS condition report are : Centering: 9.5, Corners: 8.5, Edges: 9.5, Surface: 9
3
2021 SOLD for $ 1.54M by Goldin
The card 32/99, graded NM-MT+ 8.5 by BGS, was sold for $ 1.54M by Goldin on March 6, 2021, lot 4.
4
2020 SOLD for $ 1.1M by Goldin
Goldin's online sale closed on August 22, 2020 included two examples of the LeBron James rookie card.
The RPP 16/23 is graded NM/MT 8.5+ by BGS because of edges graded at 8, compensated by an excellent centering at 9.5. It was sold for $ 550K, lot 20.
The RPA 02/99, listed as lot 3, was sold for $ 1.1M. It is graded Gem Mint 9.5 by BGS with details as follows : Centering: 9.5, Corners: 9, Edges: 9.5, Surface: 10.
Both have perfect autograph signatures, graded 10 by BGS.
The RPP 16/23 is graded NM/MT 8.5+ by BGS because of edges graded at 8, compensated by an excellent centering at 9.5. It was sold for $ 550K, lot 20.
The RPA 02/99, listed as lot 3, was sold for $ 1.1M. It is graded Gem Mint 9.5 by BGS with details as follows : Centering: 9.5, Corners: 9, Edges: 9.5, Surface: 10.
Both have perfect autograph signatures, graded 10 by BGS.
2005 New Glory for the Logoman
2021 SOLD for $ 1.3M including premium
The modern card market reaches its breakthrough on February 20, 2020, when Goldin announces that he had sold a card in a private transaction for $ 900K after having it graded by Beckett. This Upper Deck 2003-04 Exquisite Collection 1 of 1 is a dual Michael Jordan - LeBron James from LeBron's rookie year. The NBA logoman patch from both players' jerseys is in the middle of the front side, relegating to the edges two very small portrait photos. This card without autograph is graded 8.5 NM-MT + by BGS.
Collectors now favor the 1 of 1's, as well as the logoman patch. The One of One 2013-14 rookie card Panini National Treasures Horizontal of Giannis Antetokounmpo, with logoman patch and autograph signature, graded Mint 9 by BGS, was sold for $ 1.85M including premium by Goldin on September 20, 2020.
The market continues to evolve. The lot 6 in the Goldin online sale closing on March 6 is a 1 of 1 2004-05 Upper Deck Ultimate Signatures Logos with a Logoman game used patch from LeBron James, copyrighted in 2005. It is not a rookie card. PSA/DNA has guaranteed its authenticity without grading it, which means that it has a major flaw (this case has become frequent due to the increased complexity of the make).
One year ago, such a piece could only interest a few specialist collectors. Two weeks before the auction, the bid is $ 850K. Beckett and PSA/DNA are also grading the autographs. The cards have generally been carefully signed in a dedicated place, and that grading does not seem to be discriminating.
Collectors now favor the 1 of 1's, as well as the logoman patch. The One of One 2013-14 rookie card Panini National Treasures Horizontal of Giannis Antetokounmpo, with logoman patch and autograph signature, graded Mint 9 by BGS, was sold for $ 1.85M including premium by Goldin on September 20, 2020.
The market continues to evolve. The lot 6 in the Goldin online sale closing on March 6 is a 1 of 1 2004-05 Upper Deck Ultimate Signatures Logos with a Logoman game used patch from LeBron James, copyrighted in 2005. It is not a rookie card. PSA/DNA has guaranteed its authenticity without grading it, which means that it has a major flaw (this case has become frequent due to the increased complexity of the make).
One year ago, such a piece could only interest a few specialist collectors. Two weeks before the auction, the bid is $ 850K. Beckett and PSA/DNA are also grading the autographs. The cards have generally been carefully signed in a dedicated place, and that grading does not seem to be discriminating.
2013 Giannis Antetokounmpo Panini Rookie Card
2020 SOLD for $ 1.17M including premium by Goldin
Link to catalogue.
2014 The Greek Giant
2020 SOLD for $ 1.85M including premium
Basketball provides exemplary cases that make young people dream of an irresistible social rise.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is one of the most complete players of all time, both in offense and defense. He is helped by his height, 2.11m, and his exceptional span, 2.36m, but this giant nicknamed the Greek Freak is also very athletic and very agile.
He was born stateless to Nigerian parents, in the suburbs of Athens. His official name is a poor transcription when he acquired Greek nationality at his coming of age. His original name is Adetokunbo. He had started his life as an irregular street vendor.
The rules of the drafts of the NBA accept foreigners. Although coming from a lower division Greek club, he was placed 15th in the 1st round in 2013, hired by the Milwaukee Bucks. He made his Bucks debut on October 13, 2013, becoming at under 19 one of the youngest players in NBA history.
The Bucks managed to keep him, with substantial pay increases. His progress is spectacular and puts his team at the top level. On March 17, 2019 he scored 52 points in a single game. On December 16 he had 18 successful goals out of 31 attempted.
Panini has since 2009 the exclusive license of the NBA for the trading cars and stickers. In an online sale that ends on September 20, Goldin sells as lot 1 the National Treasures Horizontal RPA rookie card of Giannis Antetokounmpo edited by Panini for the 2013-14 season. This horizontal card numbered One of One shows on the left a photo of the player, on the right his autograph signature and in the middle the NBA logoman cut out from one of his jerseys. It was graded Mint 9 by BGS. The copyright is dated 2014.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is one of the most complete players of all time, both in offense and defense. He is helped by his height, 2.11m, and his exceptional span, 2.36m, but this giant nicknamed the Greek Freak is also very athletic and very agile.
He was born stateless to Nigerian parents, in the suburbs of Athens. His official name is a poor transcription when he acquired Greek nationality at his coming of age. His original name is Adetokunbo. He had started his life as an irregular street vendor.
The rules of the drafts of the NBA accept foreigners. Although coming from a lower division Greek club, he was placed 15th in the 1st round in 2013, hired by the Milwaukee Bucks. He made his Bucks debut on October 13, 2013, becoming at under 19 one of the youngest players in NBA history.
The Bucks managed to keep him, with substantial pay increases. His progress is spectacular and puts his team at the top level. On March 17, 2019 he scored 52 points in a single game. On December 16 he had 18 successful goals out of 31 attempted.
Panini has since 2009 the exclusive license of the NBA for the trading cars and stickers. In an online sale that ends on September 20, Goldin sells as lot 1 the National Treasures Horizontal RPA rookie card of Giannis Antetokounmpo edited by Panini for the 2013-14 season. This horizontal card numbered One of One shows on the left a photo of the player, on the right his autograph signature and in the middle the NBA logoman cut out from one of his jerseys. It was graded Mint 9 by BGS. The copyright is dated 2014.
2020 set of 3 Top Shots of LeBron James
for sale on May 20 by Heritage
to be narrated
Heritage online May 20, 2021
set of 3 top shots of LeBron James (lot 58361 est $ 1M)
Sale 60005 landing page.
set of 3 top shots of LeBron James (lot 58361 est $ 1M)
Sale 60005 landing page.
It's the most incredible #NBATopShot offering to hit the market to date! Three iconic #LeBronJames moments in one lot, all with ties to #KobeBryant, from the @HouseofKibaa Collection. Open for bidding now, click below to add them to your collectionhttps://t.co/psTxkqt4Sx pic.twitter.com/Nh3Vxz6jcu
— Heritage Auctions Sports (@Heritage_Sport) May 7, 2021
