Auctions
Type 1 Photo from Michael Jordan’s first NBA game nets record sale; more historic original photos up for bid at Goldin
A Type 1 Original Photo from Michael Jordan’s first NBA game in 1984 has sold for a record $225,000 in a private sale at Goldin Co.
The sale is the most expensive Jordan photo ever sold, topping the previous record of $175,000.
“Michael Jordan Type 1 photo sales set the bar high – consistently shattering their own records,” said Ken Goldin, founder and CEO of Goldin. “The Jordan photo and all Type 1 photos are iconic pieces of history that provide a new avenue into the sports collectible's universe. We’re excited about the insane demand we’ve been seeing and think that Jordan’s Type 1 photos are really setting a new standard.”
Also see: Rare Michael Jordan Type 1 images highlight impressive original photo collection at Goldin
Another Type 1 photo from Jordan’s rookie year — a 1984-85 Michael Jordan Rookie signed photo — is up for bid in Goldin’s November Elite Auction. The photo has Kodak back stamps dating it to March 1985 — the month Jordan had two triple-doubles, game-winning free throws, and 10 30-point performances.
The November auction, which runs through Dec. 2, features Goldin’s most comprehensive collection of Type 1 photos from a variety of sports and athletes.
The most notable photo is a 1965 Joe Namath Rookie Card Type 1 original photo expected to sell for more than $200,000. According to PSA/DNA authenticator Henry Yee, the Namath photo is regarded as “the single most important football Type 1 photo in the hobby.”
“Namath's rookie card is the gridiron equivalent of Mickey Mantle's 1952 Topps rookie," said Khyber Oser, director of vintage memorabilia and photography at Goldin. “Both are the ultimate postwar card of their sport — and the most valuable in high grade. But if you think about it, the original photos that those cards were made from are far more rare and exclusive. There's only one known example of this Namath card-used Type 1. That's why it's so prized by photo collectors and card collectors alike.”
Additional Type 1 photos available in the Goldin November Elite auction include:
• The only known 1967 Muhammad Ali/Wilt Chamberlain Dual-Signed Type 1 Original Photo from a “Wide World of Sports” fight promo appearance, capturing the two legends sparring on stage.
• A 1985 Mike Tyson Sports Illustrated Shoot Type 1 Original Photo, capturing Tyson in trainer Cus D'Amato's Catskills gym near the time of the iconic Sports Illustrated cover that dubbed him “Kid Dynamite.”
• A 1943 Satchel Paige Negro League Type 1 Original News Service Photo from His Kansas City Monarchs era.
• One of two known 1983 George Brett "Pine Tar Game" Type 1 Original Photos, depicting Brett as he was being restrained from attacking the home-plate umpire who held Brett's illegal bat behind his back.
• A 1994 Tiger Woods Age 18 Type 1 Original Snapshot Photo from the year Woods graduated high school and became the youngest U.S. Amateur Championship winner.
